Informa Markets has announced the success of the biggest edition of Vitafoods Europe 2023 in its 26-year history.
Covering an impressive 25,000 square meters of exhibition space, the event welcomed 18,854 nutraceutical professionals from 162 countries to Geneva’s Palexpo (9-11 May) and online (1-12 May), to experience a host of inspiring, expert-led content diving into the latest ingredient innovations, consumer trends and key market insights.
Supported by a new event app and online platform, the tech-enhanced event facilitated successful networking through its unique data-driven matchmaking service and dedicated in-person networking receptions.
Vitafoods Europe 2023 saw over 1,060 global exhibitors from across the industry converge. Companies exhibiting for the first time included NaturaYuva, Nomi Biotech, Chr. Olesen and Bee Health, while returning exhibitors included Lonza, Gnosis by Lesaffre, IMCD Group, Zuccari, Intermed, DSM and Arla.
Exclusive premium insights
This year’s event also offered brand new premium content, with many sessions at maximum capacity. The Vitafoods Europe debut of the Future of Nutrition Summit (8 May) brought together C-suite nutrition leaders to discuss the future of the industry and network. Highlights included Unilever presenting the evolving science behind personalised supplementation and Danone on translating trends into business strategies.
Meanwhile the Vitafoods Europe Conference (9-10 May) returned in a new format and location on the show floor, spotlighting innovation opportunities and ways to overcome common industry challenges. Speakers included Nestlé exploring nutritional recommendations for preventive health and ways to optimise maternal health.
Delegates reported sessions sparking inspiring conversations and highlighted the value of face-to-face connection over crucial issues. Guru Ramanathan, Managing Director of Dutch Medical Food, said of the Summit: “To have a session dedicated to the future of nutrition is phenomenal. I wish more of my colleagues were here – this is the place to be!”
Stepping up on sustainability
As the leading media company in the global Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, Informa Markets is committed to making its events more sustainable. In addition to powering the event with renewable energy and facilitating the use of recycled materials through its Better Stands Initiative, Vitafoods Europe 2023 featured the new Sustainability Resource Centre, a zone dedicated to driving sustainable change in nutrition.
Visitors benefitted from expert presentations and educational content on the full spectrum of sustainability issues across the supply chain, as well as lively networking events held by Women in Nutraceuticals and The Naturally Proud Network, showing vital support for these two important industry areas.
Plus, as part of Informa Markets’ ongoing commitment to sustainability, Vitafoods Europe 2023 saw the launch of its new partnership with leading international civil society organisation Solidaridad.
The partnership aims to raise awareness of Solidaridad’s work in creating sustainable supply chains, facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaboration across nutrition and food, and help brands source ingredients ethically while meeting calls for enhanced transparency. To mark the launch of the collaboration, Solidaridad hosted a presentation and panel discussion, and exhibited at the inaugural Sustainability Resource Centre.
The world’s nutraceutical event
Andy Mather, Brand Director of Vitafoods Europe at Informa Markets, said: “As the world’s leading nutraceutical event, Vitafoods Europe has a vital role in driving the industry forward. With the addition of the new Future of Nutrition Summit and the return of the Vitafoods Europe Conference for 2023, we successfully brought some of the brightest minds our industry has to offer together to inspire the innovation that will shape both today and tomorrow.
“We also take our responsibility to the planet very seriously. So, by spotlighting sustainability at our newest resource centre, we’re helping pave the way to a greener future. The response to these event evolutions and additions has already been phenomenal, and we hope that attendees have left us feeling inspired and filled with ideas for their business’s – and the industry’s – next step.”
Mather adds: “As Brand Director for Vitafoods Europe, it’s clear to me how beloved this event is. It’s been fantastic to see Palexpo come to life with a vibrant atmosphere as the nutraceutical community, both new and well-established, comes together to learn, network, and do business – there’s no place quite like it.
“A massive thank you to our visitors, speakers, exhibitors, on-site team and all of the people who make Vitafoods Europe what it is – we look forward to seeing everyone again at our upcoming 2023 events at Vitafoods Asia or Vitafoods Insights online!”
With a range of online and in person events, Vitafoods Insights is a 365 platform for the nutraceutical community. Vitafoods Europe will return in 2024 online (6-17 May) and in Geneva (14-16 May). Visit: www.vitafoods.eu.com/