Magazines Archives - 2009 October

Advanced technology and innovations stole the show at FHT2009
Story 3 - Special Review

FHT2009 — the 17th International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Bakery, Restaurant & Foodservice Equipment, Supplies & Services — was “the biggestever showcase of advanced technology
and innovations for HoReCa industry”, according to the organiser, Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd (BES).

More significantly, the event, which remained largely unscathed by the economic crisis and internal problems faced by Thailand, helped to strengthen Bangkok’s position as regional hub for the hospitality and service industry. Speaking at the official opening of FHT2009, Chumpol Silapa-Archa,
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism & Sports, said: “We expect the economic recovery is under way. Meanwhile, this event is sure to provide all industry members a good opportunity to explore
latest innovations and to enhance their business performance, and to actively respond to growing competition. The world economic environment today is pushing the idea that businesses should
always be in a state of readiness, using the latest innovations and new techniques to maximise their business potential and competitiveness — now and in the future.”

The minister’s observations proved to be accurate. The show attracted more trade visitors and buyers than the 2008 event, and BES affirmed that it “generated more selling and buying deals than
the previous year” too. Clearly, industry players are taking the global economic turmoil in their stride.
More than 750 of the world’s leading brands from 32 countries participated in the four-day event, which attracted 24,126 business entrepreneurs, industry professionals and decision-making executives
from 60 countries and regions. The number of registered visitors to the show, which was exclusively for “business and trade only”, grew by nearly 7% compared to last year’s.

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