ISM Middle East has announced that it will be moving from its usual November date to September from next year. The biggest and most dynamic confectionery and snacks event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will take place in 2024 from 24 to 26 September 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
In addition to the date change, ISM Middle East 2024 will see a step change in scale, with more exhibition space available, across more halls, to meet increased demand from the global industry, including more trade associations and national pavilions.
Away from the show floor, there will also be a strong content-led conference programme running on the Expert Stage, curated by knowledge partners and based around the latest trending topics. This will mark the culmination of knowledge transfer that will become year-round, with insights and articles to be shared on an on-going basis on the forthcoming Knowledge section on ISM’s website.
For industry professionals looking to forge new business relationships, or strengthen existing ones, there will be a new-to-show, dedicated networking programme connecting international exhibitors with leading regional buyers.
Finally, ISM Middle East 2024 will see the launch of a number of interactive activations, including new product tastings, product workshops and many more.
“Based on the impact that the launch of our brand ISM Middle East has caused in the region within just two years, we now set the sails for further growth with the new dates, to cater for the demand of the industry”, said Denis Steker, Vice President International at Koelnmesse GmbH. “We are proud of our strong partnership with DWTC, which has helped us expand and extend the proven model of ISM Cologne into the MENA region, and to address new content and topics,” Steker added.
“At Dubai World Trade Centre, we have always understood the potential for ISM Middle East to grow into the top sweets and snacks show in the region, which has driven our close partnership with Koelnmesse from the outset. We looking forward to bringing the flexibility of the region’s leading venue, and our experience in delivering content driven conferences and engaging activations across our F&B events, to bear in taking ISM Middle East to the next level in 2024”, said Mark Napier, Vice President – Portfolio Growth Food & Hospitality, Dubai World Trade Centre.
German Sweets also welcomed the new date for ISM Middle East: ” ISM Middle East is the most important market place for confectionery in the Gulf and MENA region. The growing markets in this region also offer very good prospects for confectionery from Germany in the future. The importance of ISM Middle East is therefore likely to increase even further,” said Karsten Daum, Managing Director German Sweets e. V..
ISM Middle East 2023 – already sold out
The 2023 edition of ISM Middle East is already sold out, with a long exhibitor waiting list, reflecting why now is the time to adapt to meet increasing market demand. This year, more than 330 exhibitors from over 40 countries are expected in Dubai.
Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the food and beverage sector: Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the food and beverage segment. Events such as Anuga and ISM are established, world-leading trade fairs, hosted in Cologne/Germany. Anuga HORIZON in Cologne will mark the launch of an additional event format dedicated to food industry innovations. In addition to the events at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse also stages numerous food trade fairs with different sector-specific areas of focus and content in further key markets across the world, including Brazil, China, India, Japan, Columbia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. These global activities enable Koelnmesse to offer its customers bespoke events and leading regional trade fairs in a variety of markets, thus creating the foundation for sustainable international business. Koelnmesse is also ideally positioned in the field of food technology with its leading international trade fairs Anuga FoodTec and ProSweets Cologne and its global network of satellite events.
The next events:
ISM Middle East – The Heart of Sweets and Snacks in the Middle East, Dubai 07.11. – 09.11.2023
ISM – The world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks, Cologne 28.01. – 31.01.2024
THAIFEX – HOREC Asia – Elevating the hospitality industry to new heights, Bangkok 06.03. – 08.03.2024
