Alimentec 2024 was established as a resounding success at the close of its 25th anniversary. For four days, the event, held in Corferias in an area of ??28,000 m², brought together the most prominent representatives of the food and beverage industry in the HORECA sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. The commercial exhibition had the participation of 598 exhibitors, doubling this number in relation to the 2022 version. In addition, and in relation to the exhibitors, it is worth highlighting that about 36% were international and 64% national.

Organized by Koelnmesse and Corferias, and promoted by Anuga, the world's leading food fair held in Cologne, Germany, Alimentec 2024 attracted more than 37,000 visitors, a historic figure for this fair that provided spaces for commercial connections between food drinkers. decisions and professionals from the food, restaurant, hotel, wholesale and retail sectors, as well as meeting scenarios between stakeholders to generate strategies in a constantly growing market.

Alberto Almanza, Project and Commercial Director at Koelnmesse, declared: “we close a dream edition with Alimentec 2024, with the satisfaction of having fulfilled our duty, giving the country and the actors of the Colombian and Latin American industry a world-class event, which it energizes the economy and propels us towards a future with growth projections. Important deals were closed and agreed upon, confirming that the fair is the ideal setting to generate business connections.”

In turn, Doris Chingaté Vega, Project Manager of Corferias, commented: “it fills us with pride and satisfaction to close this edition of Alimentec 2024 with a highly positive balance. During these days, we have witnessed the growth of the event within the framework of a space for the exchange of ideas, products and experiences that have enriched all participants and reaffirmed the importance of our industry in the economy, so that we have a positive impact with promising business closure projections.”

Internationalization

Alimentec consolidated its international character, fostering alliances that transcended borders, attracting the participation of 217 foreign companies representing 21 countries. These companies, in addition to their commercial exhibition, participated in the business roundtable held with the support of ProColombia, allowing 852 business meetings to be held in which 77 buyers from countries such as: Argentina, Aruba, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica participated. , Ecuador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The participation of professional visitors resulted in numerous commercial agreements that will boost the growth of Colombian companies in the coming months, projecting business closures worth 15,208,500 million dollars.

Activities and Knowledge

In addition, the event featured more than 130 speakers and experts who participated in the Food Innovation Summit, Horeca Talks, Cooking Show, Bake & Arts and Drink Trends. These activities allowed national and international visitors to acquire knowledge about the latest trends and practices in the food industry, strengthening collaboration networks between the different actors in the sector.

Another novelty that enriched the fair was the new franchise stage, located in pavilion five, where exhibitors had the opportunity to present their business models to an interested audience willing to invest. In a 170 m² exhibition there were more than 6,500 visitors, promising data that projects future growth in this new sector of the fair, in which entrepreneurs expanded their comprehensive vision of the franchise market and the available opportunities, facilitating the making of decisions.

In short, one of the initiatives that stood out in this edition was the participation of the Food Bank, which under the direction of Father Daniel Saldarriaga Molina, is responsible for articulating the efforts of private companies, academia and non-profit organizations, that works to help populations in vulnerable conditions that suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition. On this occasion, the bank's team received the food and products displayed at the fair that were not consumed, to later be classified, stored and distributed in a responsible, efficient and equitable manner.

Culinary Demonstrations

On the other hand, Alimentec had the participation of renowned chefs such as Christopher Carpentier, Jorge Rausch, Daniel Jiménez, Andrews Arrieta, José María Ajkay Romero, Carlos Gaviria, José María Araya Rodríguez, Luis Carlos Correa, Andrés Cardona, Carlos Pájaro, among others, who contributed their knowledge through live culinary demonstrations, showing innovative techniques, creative recipes and ways to use the products presented at the fair.

A separate chapter had the renowned Spanish master baker José Roldán Triviño, who was honored with his title of 'Best Spanish Baker' and 'European Champion in Baking'. Triviño shared his experience at Bake & Arts, offering workshops and demonstrations where he promoted products from the bakery sector.

On the last day of the event, the protagonists were the establishments and people of the trade, actors of the barbecue category, who took over the free area of ??the capital's fairgrounds with the Club del Asado, a large-format gastronomic experience, with a theoretical workshop. practical event that was attended by dozens of barbecue lovers and businessmen in this sector, who shared grilling techniques, marinades, cuts of meat, cooking times, recipes for accompaniments and other secrets of the trade.

Finally, in addition to Alimentec's extensive programming, there was the Exhibitor's Night event, a space for networking and recognition of exhibitors and leaders in the sector, in which Beatriz Fernández, founder of Crepes & Waffles, was honored for its good practices, economic impact and influence on the food and beverage industry.