Gulfood 2021 opens in Dubai with Covid protocols in place

Dubai - Over 2,500 companies from 85 countries attending the first live industry gathering in 12 months amid Covid-19 outbreak.

Gulfood 2021, the first in-person global food & beverage (F&B) event in almost a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, started on Sunday at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Over 2,500 international brands from 85 countries are participating in the exhibition.

Demonstrating its importance to the complete sector spectrum, 110 of the biggest names in F&B and business have come together under one roof.

C-suite executives from supply chain behemoths DHL and Emirates SkyCargo; chief marketing officers (CMOs) of global heavyweights Microsoft, Pizza Hut and PepsiCo; chief executive officers (CEOs) of regional star brands Majid Al Futtaim and Lulu International Group; world-renowned Michelin Star chefs and the UAE’s top culinary masters will deliver valuable insights and ‘new normal’ perspectives amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

“After the challenges of the past 12 months, manufacturers, buyers and suppliers are relishing the chance to reconnect. From producers ready to unveil the latest sector solutions, to industry leaders providing new perspectives, and world-renowned chefs dishing up invaluable insights, Gulfood is the only trade enabling platform to rejuvenate industry fortunes in 2021 and beyond,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Events Management, DWTC.

With Gulfood 2021 being held under stringent safety and hygiene protocols, DWTC has proved its capability to curate the safest face-to-face business environment and deliver world-class events with the highest safety protocols, as evidenced by last December’s Gitex Technology Week -- the only live in-person tech event last year -- held in December, where 96 per cent of tens of thousands of local and international attendees recorded a ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ experience.

During the exhibition, wearing of masks is mandatory, with social distancing in place to ensure the wellbeing of all delegates. On-site registration is not available. -waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com