Asia’s only dedicated event for the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplement industries is set to connect business leaders and top scientists in an expanded education and conference programme that aims to facilitate new business and research partnerships, said the organisers of Vitafoods Asia 2016.
The trade event, which is now in its sixth year, will run a series of conference sessions alongside the main exhibition to provide industry delegates with a platform to learn more about innovations, trends, and regulations, said Chris Lee, event director.
“Vitafoods Asia is more than just a trade event – instead, we see ourselves as a hub that promotes knowledge-sharing and networking, both of which facilitate business deals for the industry. For the 2016 show, we worked hard at designing a robust educational programme that offers visitors an engaging experience that helps them meet business challenges,” he said.
The conference sessions, which are and is officially supported by and co-developed with Food Industry Asia (FIA), the International Society of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF), and research consultancy Frost & Sullivan, will bring together top names from academia and industry in a two-day agenda that will focus on applied science, product development, and business growth.
Sessions will focus on five key health categories (weight management, heart health, healthy aging, maternal and infant health, digestive health) and three core areas for business growth, including 'bringing your product to the Asian market', product safety and quality control
Significant focus will also be put on understanding consumer preferences and how to apply this knowledge to product development strategies, Lee said – adding that as part of this focus Frost & Sullivan will deliver a one-hour workshop dedicated to exploring the requirements of Asian consumers.
New for this year, Vitafoods Asia will also include a free-to-attend ‘Centre Stage’ within the main exhibition. This new knowledge sharing platform will showcase a series of presentations delivered by a global industry experts and key leaders on the exhibition floor.
Furthermore, Lee revealed that show attendees will also be able to join industry experts from around Asia in two free-to-attend keynote panel discussions that evaluate progress on ASEAN harmonisation and trade barriers on food, and ways to drive innovation and new product development in Asia.
Vitafoods Asia will take place from 1 - 2 September 2016 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong.