along with the 5th edition of Restaurant Asia to mark a crucial three-day gathering of F&B industry players, trade visitors from Singapore, ASEAN and around the world
Singapore, 26 June 2024 This morning, the first-ever SIGEP Asia was officially opened, together with Restaurant Asia 2024, at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre (Halls D, E, and F) at the iconic Marina Bay Sands. The official opening of the mega co-located shows was graced by Guest of Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture.
At the official opening, the F&B Industry Jobs Portal (FABjobs, www.fabjobs.sg) was unveiled to address the ongoing challenges in the industry. As manpower continues to be a perennial issue for the F&B sector, particularly in attracting locals to join the industry, the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) responded to this pressing challenge by launching FABjobs which is solely dedicated to the F&B industry.
The portal is designed with an employer-centric approach, allowing F&B companies to customise and highlight their unique employee value propositions to attract the right talents. This initiative underscores RAS’ commitment to addressing manpower challenges and enhancing the attractiveness of careers in the F&B industry.
SIGEP Asia is the new satellite trade show of the internationally renowned SIGEP World in Rimini, held from 26 to 28 June 2024. The show is presented by IEG Asia, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A.
SIGEP, with a 45-year history of inspiring the foodservice community as the most dynamic event for the industry, appeals to international professionals from the worlds of artisan gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee and bakery as the global reference point for the dolce foodservice industry with exclusive insights into future shifting trends, unexplored tastes and technology trends.
SIGEP Asia is held in conjunction with the 5th edition of Restaurant Asia, and co-located with IEG Asia’s recently acquired series of food and beverage (F&B) trade shows Speciality Food & Drinks Asia (SFDA), Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia (SCTA), and takeaway and delivery exhibition Food2Go. The mega platform hosts some 10,000 trade visitors, buyers, and over 300 exhibitors and brands from 30 countries and regions. In keeping with its promise of excellence for the foodservice industry, an expansive three-day programme is curated for the event’s trade visitors and buyers.
- Trade visitors to the show will have the rare opportunity to meet the masters and Chefs from Italy and the region at the SIGEP Sessions over two days of intense masterclasses and demonstrations on gelato, artisanal breads, gourmet desserts, pizza and the pairing of beverages and fine dining. Attendees will learn from experts including Matteo Cunsolo, President of the Richemont Club Italy; Eduardo Villar, Vice President of International Union of Bakers & Confectioners; José María Fernández del Vallado, General Secretary also of the International Union of Bakers & Confectioners; Chef Antonio Danise of the Italian Federation of Chefs; Eugenio Morrone, Master Gelato Maker; Giuseppe Piffaretti, Creator of Panettone World Cup; and Chefs John See and Winston Lau of Mindful Sparks (https://sigepasia.com.sg/event/sigep-sessions/).
- RAS Leadership Symposium 2024, ‘Building Your Dream Culture’ was a key highlight at the event on 26 June, organised by Restaurant Association of Singapore and headlined by Will Scott, the Author & Founder of The Culture Fix®. who has helped hundreds of businesses fulfill their corporate culture dreams.
- Board Meeting of the ASEAN Restaurant Associations Alliance (ARAA) which was formed to further bolster relationships and opportunities in ASEAN. This Alliance unites the restaurant associations in ASEAN, presenting an important marketplace for the industry, serving as a gateway to new markets and supply chains in the region through Restaurant Asia and also SIGEP Asia, the expositions organised to gather the industry across borders in the fast-growing ASEAN region. Through this Alliance, the parties hope to create reciprocal benefits across the ASEAN F&B sectors.
- Following the announcement of the strategic partnership between the International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) and IEG Asia for SIGEP Asia 2024 to provide a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas, networking, and celebrating sector achievements, IFBA will hold its Roundtable 2024 focused on leadership and innovation (https://sigepasia.com.sg/event/ifba-roundtable/).
- The Singapore Coffee Association’s staging of the Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC) presenting four competitions, namely the Singapore National Barista Championship (SNBC), Singapore National Latte Art Championship (SNLAC), Singapore National Brewers Cup (SBRC), and the Singapore Cup Tasters Competition (SCTC). The national champions will represent Singapore on the world stage at the World Coffee Championship 2025 in Milan (https://sigepasia.com.sg/event/singapore-national-coffee-championship/).
- The Technology & Innovation Pavilion and Sandbox, a showcase of new technologies for F&B operations and also to contribute to a more sustainable future for the industry (https://sigepasia.com.sg/event/technology-innovation-pavilion/)
- A hosted buyers’ programme to connect with top-level decision-makers in the foodservice sectors across ASEAN and APAC. The programme is the gateway to bespoke B2B meetings meticulously tailored to meet the specific business and sourcing needs of trade buyers from restaurants, cafes, bakeries, cocktail bars, gelateria businesses and more.
- Chef’s Table by-invitation luncheon for networking of the senior leadership of the F&B industry from Singapore and ASEAN including the visiting delegates from the ASEAN Restaurant Associations Alliance (ARAA).
According to Mrs Ilaria Cicero, Chief Executive Officer of IEG Asia, “We are thrilled to officially open the doors of the inaugural SIGEP Asia and the fifth edition of Restaurant Asia, bringing together industry leaders, trade visitors, buyers, and exhibitors from Singapore, ASEAN, and around the world.” She added, “This event marks a significant milestone for the F&B industry, providing an unparalleled platform for innovation, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise. We are excited to see the connections and opportunities emerging over the next three days as we continue to drive the industry to greater heights.”
Strategic partnerships
The Italian Trade Agency is participating in the event with a dedicated Lounge to host the Italian clientele. The Italian Chamber of Commerce Singapore is a strategic partner of IEG Asia to foster stronger ties between Italy and Asia’s culinary industries. Both parties are committed to promoting the events, facilitating networking, inviting buyers, and encouraging cultural exchange. SIGEP Asia is also supported by Singapore Airlines as its Official Airline, and Hotel Planner as its Official Accommodation Partner.
SIGEP Asia
Restaurant Asia
