Vitafoods Asia adds conference, innovation awards

THE ONLY Pan-Asian exhibition dedicated to the nutraceutical industry, Vitafoods Asia offers features and presentations from industry leaders. Expected to be bigger than ever, the fair will highlight Asia’s leading nutraceutical and functional food suppliers, and with the growing awareness in health and wellness amongst consumers, the show promises to be an even more important venue.

The region’s demand is being driven by the ever-growing number of high earning, middle class consumers who seek solutions to health and well-being issues. There is also massive potential for market-savvy companies to exploit the as yet untapped potential for functional food and drinks.

This year’s Vitafoods Asia (3-4 September, 2014) returns to Hong Kong, exploring these regional macro trends, while also showcasing the latest innovative products and ingredients to identify new areas of opportunity. Exhibitors will gather from across the globe and include the likes of Bionov and Kaneka and International Pavilions will showcase exhibitor’s from countries such as Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Chris Lee, Vitafoods Portfolio Director, says: “Now in its fourth year, the 2014 show cements its reputation as the essential date in the nutraceutical and functional foods diary in Asia. We always strive to be at the forefront of the industry sparking discussion among our visitors and exhibitors. This year we’ve introduced a host of new visitor features and expanded existing visitor attractions that delve even deeper into the trends and issues affecting this dynamic market.”

The Vitafoods Asia Conference

The Vitafoods Asia Conference is the only conference in the region dedicated to the nutraceutical, functional and fortified food and drinks sector. It will run alongside the exhibition and feature top speakers over two days of presentations.

The Vitafoods Asia Conference’s modular format allows visitors to choose those presentations most relevant to their businesses so they can make the most of their time at the show. Uncovering the latest in hot topics such as food safety following high profile health scares, weight management in reaction to the region's obesity crisis and how halal certification is key to success in certain markets, the conference is set to offer delegates plenty of food for thought. Speakers span research and technical backgrounds, with Natasha D’Costa from Frost & Sullivan, Prof Nagendra Shah of the Hong Kong University, Prof Zhen-Yu Chen at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Prof Chau Chi Fai from the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, just some of the speakers already in the line-up.

 Business Leaders Networking Breakfast

Also new and taking place on the second day of Vitafoods Asia (4^th September), the Business Leaders Networking Breakfast is an exclusive event for  30 senior professionals. Chaired by Mr Pushpanathan Sundram, MD, EAS Strategic Advice and former Deputy Director ASEAN, it offers the opportunity to discuss and debate business opportunities across the region but also regulatory issues. One of the topics at the top of the agenda is ASEAN harmonisation set for 2015, offering opinion on removing the technical barriers to trade between countries as well as promoting awareness around scientific and regulatory issues.

Vitafoods Asia Awards

Building on the success of last year's Nutrition Innovation Award, this year introduces two more industry accolades – Innovative Ingredient and Best New Finished Product.

Recognising and rewarding technical advancement and scientific benefit, the Awards also credit those manufacturers designing products with specific health benefits to help end users.

Popular visitor attractions returning to Vitafoods Asia include the Seminar Theatre, which hosts presentations from leading associations, research analysts and suppliers including the likes of the ASEAN Alliance of Health Supplement Associations, who will be discussing the ASEAN Harmonisation process and the opportunities this presents for the nutraceutical industry. EAS regulatory advisory sessions will also return, providing visitors with free one-to-one regulatory advice catered to the specific needs of their company.

Vitafoods Asia also offers exhibiting companies an expanded platform to showcase NPD. The New Products Zone is a showcase of new products launched to the functional food and drinks market in the last 12 months. For the first time, alongside the New Products Zone are Innovation Spotlights, where visitors can hear expert opinions about the latest innovation on display and trends in the region from market leading research companies.

Visitors can see ingredients as fully formed products at the exhibition in the Finished Products Pavilion, dedicated to suppliers of supplements, functional food and drinks or private label services. The Tasting Bar, which has expanded for this year’s edition, sits within the Finished Products Pavilion and allows attendees to see, touch, smell and taste new products.

“We're expecting this year's show to attract more visitors than ever, creating the region's most important calendar event for like-minded businesses and professionals to swap ideas and insight,” adds Lee, Vitafoods Portfolio Director. “The addition of the Vitafoods Asia Conference and Business Leaders Networking Breakfast puts the show at the centre of thought-leadership in nutraceuticals and functional foods in Asia amongst the industry's top professionals.”