Countdown to DDTE 2013

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the sixth edition of the Dubai Drink Technology Expo (DDTE), according to INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Organisation Est., a leading organiser of trade shows and conferences in the UAE and abroad. DDTE takes place from 16-18 December at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

One of the most significant shows held in Dubai for the beverage industry, DDTE plays an important role in the transfer of technology, expertise and innovation. And as the industry is evolving rapidly in the Middle East region and in the Gulf in particular, DDTE attracted more than 10,000 participants and visitors in its previous edition. The exhibition was attended by more than 100 companies from 35 countries who were able to successfully promote their latest products, services, drink processes, packaging, systems and machinery.

This year, DDTE will feature various activities, including the Global Water & Beverage Technology Congress (GWBT). Several workshops, association key meetings, education sessions and B2B business meetings will be spread over the three days, all addressing challenges in the water and beverage technology businesses.

GWBT is open to beverage producers, wholesale and retail merchants, importers, dispensing systems, hotel groups, industrial consulting and supporting services providers, beverage associations, caterers as well as to beverage industry magazines and the media. The topics in 2013 include: the latest technologies in the beverage industry; PET best practices; beverage operation & processing; environment; health & safety; packaging technology; product & ingredient technology; quality, sanitation & microbial control, and water quality & treatment.

DDTE 2013 will also host an educational training workshop, which will be delivered by the VLB Berlin Institute from Germany. VLB Berlin is one of the world’s leading institutes for research and technology in the field of beverage. This workshop will tackle the following topics: hotfill; aseptic; pasteurisation; chemical stabilisation; minimal processing; and energy savings & sustainability.

After the big success and the attention that it received last year, the Middle East Beverage Award will be back this year for the favourite beverage in the region. The committee in charge said there will be 10 beverage categories in this competition. These are: Favourite Malted (Alcohol Free) Coffee, Dairy Drink, Juice, Energy Drink, Tea, Water, and Soft Drink. The two new categories are Favourite Imported Water in the Middle East and the Favourite Coffeehouse in the Middle East.

Last year, more than 30 regional and international brands took part in the competition. These awards will not only create a competitive spirit amongst participating brands, but also promote a sense of exclusivity to the beverage sector and create more opportunities for developing new beverages based on results of a survey. The competition will be held in conjunction with the DDTE.

On the whole, DDTE primarily facilitates the procurement needs of the regional markets, including the MENA region as well as some parts of Asia. Companies participating at the exhibition will benefit through highly targeted marketing campaigns run by the DDTE team.

The event is supported by the Arab Asian Beverage Alliance (AABA), the American Beverage Association, and the International Society of Beverage Technologists. The AABA is kAdidas