Fairs and events

Ahead of the Bologna debut of HIP - Horeca Professional Expo, Italian Food News spoke with Manuel Bueno, director of HIP Italia, about the reasons behind the launch of the event in Italy, the key features of its format and the model developed to bring together exhibition, knowledge and networking, with the aim of providing industry professionals with practical tools and solutions to support business growth.

From 3 to 5 November 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre will host GulfHost, an event for hospitality and foodservice professionals. The exhibition will bring together operators, buyers, distributors and consultants with international manufacturers and suppliers serving different areas of the HoReCa sector.

HIP - Horeca Professional Expo will make its Italian debut with an event designed for companies and professionals across the Ho.Re.Ca. sector, combining an exhibition area, industry-focused content and opportunities to discuss the changes reshaping restaurants, foodservice and hospitality. The event will take place from October 19 to 21, 2026 at BolognaFiere.

From 3-5 November 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre will host Private Label Middle East 2026, an event dedicated to private label products and contract manufacturing. The event will bring together manufacturers, retailers, distributors and brand owners, connecting buyers with manufacturing partners across a broad range of FMCG categories.

From 3 to 5 November 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre will host the 19th edition of ISM Middle East, the international trade event dedicated to confectionery and snacks. The event will bring together brands, buyers, distributors and retailers from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and other markets, providing a meeting point to discover new products, identify suppliers and explore the trends shaping purchasing decisions across the sector.

On October 21, 2026, Dubai will host AgriNext Awards & Conference 2026, an international event dedicated to innovation in agriculture and new solutions to make food production more efficient and sustainable. The event will bring together companies, institutions, investors, researchers, and technology providers from different countries, creating an opportunity to discuss the key changes affecting agriculture and the entire agri-food supply chain.

From 14 to 16 December 2026, Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center will host Natural World Expo Saudi, an event dedicated to natural, sustainable and wellness-oriented products. The exhibition brings to Saudi Arabia the expertise of GL Middle East, the team behind the Middle East Organic & Natural Products Expo in Dubai, an established event with over 23 years of experience in the organic and natural products sector.

From 16 to 18 November 2026, Dubai World Trade Centre will host the Middle East Organic & Natural Products Expo, a B2B trade event dedicated to organic, natural and halal products. In its 23rd edition the event confirms its role as a strategic trade platform for companies looking to develop new business opportunities across the MENA region and the GCC markets.

The Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Show will take place from 25 to 27 May 2026 at ICC Sydney, bringing a dedicated trade focus on pizza, pasta and authentic Italian flavours to one of Australia’s most dynamic foodservice markets.

From 11 to 14 May 2026, TUTTOFOOD returns to Rho Fiera Milano, bringing together food companies, buyers and industry professionals from Italy and abroad. Alongside its exhibition offering, the event will also spotlight the themes increasingly shaping the sector's evolution, from sustainability and food safety to transparency, inclusion and more conscious access to food.

From May 11 to 14, 2026, TUTTOFOOD returns to Fiera Milano Rho with an even stronger international focus and a program designed to connect producers, distributors, buyers and foodservice professionals more directly. According to the official figures released by the organizers, the next edition aims to exceed 100,000 trade visitors and will feature a larger exhibition footprint, with themed areas dedicated to trends and the fastest-growing segments.

Gulfood 2026, taking place from 26 to 30 January, marks the 31st edition of an event that is set to be one of the largest to date. With over 8,500 exhibitors, more than 1.5 million products and 12 strategic sectors, the show brings together producers, suppliers, retailers, distributors, innovators and policymakers from 195 countries. For the first time, the exhibition will span two venues, the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre, providing a clearer layout of content and a more organized visitor experience.

From January 16 to 20, 2026, the Rimini Exhibition Centre will host SIGEP World, a reference event for the international foodservice industry. The show serves as a key observatory on global trends, evolving consumption patterns, and the technologies shaping the future of the market.

The second edition of AgriNext Conference 2025 closed with strong interest from industry professionals, confirming its role as a reference point for international dialogue on agricultural technologies. The event brought together more than 100 experts - including global leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and sustainability-driven operators - for two days of discussions, debates and knowledge-sharing.

Registration is now open for the 2025 edition of Organic & Natural Products Expo, taking place 17–19 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Now in its 23rd year, the event is widely regarded as the Middle East's leading hub for the organic, natural, and halal industries.

For companies seeking new opportunities in the global food supply chain, innovation and reliability are key factors in choosing the right partners. At Private Label Middle East 2025, MAFI will showcase a combination of cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and a diversified product portfolio designed to meet the evolving needs of food manufacturers, distributors, and private label brands. From AI-powered production processes to eco-friendly sourcing and packaging, the company's latest solutions offer practical advantages: consistency in quality, efficiency in supply, and the flexibility to serve different markets and applications. These elements make MAFI's presence at PLME 2025 a must-follow event for professionals looking to expand their product ranges and strengthen their competitive edge.

From 4 to 6 November 2025, the Dubai World Trade Centre will host the latest edition of Gulfood Manufacturing, the leading Middle East & Africa exhibition for machinery, ingredients, and logistics solutions serving the food industry. The event offers a unique platform for companies and professionals across the food supply chain, providing a complete overview of the technologies and trends that are reshaping the global food & beverage sector.

Private label growth reflects a structural shift in consumer behavior and the purchasing strategies of modern retail. More buyers are seeking customizable, sustainable, and fast-to-market solutions. Private Label Middle East 2025 stands out as a key platform connecting global demand with qualified supply in the food & beverage industry.

Following the successful 2024 edition - which saw a significant rise in both exhibitor and visitor participation from around the world - ISM Middle East will return from September 15 to 17, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event aims to strengthen its position as a B2B hub for innovation in the confectionery, snack, and seasonal specialty sectors across emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Following the success of its first edition, the AgriNext Awards & Conference returns on November 5-6, 2025, reaffirming its position as a global hub for agricultural innovation. The event will bring together industry leaders, startups, investors, and institutional representatives to explore the future of farming and address its most pressing challenges.