MONTREAL--More than 700 exhibitors from 40 countries are part of SIAL Montreal, which gets underway here at the Palais des Congres de Montreal Exhibition Center here April 23-25.
Celebrating its fifth edition, SIAL Montreal is now an annual trade show. More than 14,000 visitors from 80 countries are expected to attend, according to Rebecca Long, marketing coordinator with Imex Management, the show's organizers.
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About 40 percent of the show's exhibitors are from outside of Canada. National pavilions include Austria, China, Spain, France, Italy, Malaysia, the United States and Turkey. Each of the 10 Canadian provinces will be represented.
Last year, international exhibitors were represented on 12 national pavilions and individual booths for a total of 30 exhibiting countries including Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States and Uzbekistan.
Product innovation will be a major focus as "Trends & Innovations," the new products operation developed by SIAL Paris, is rolled out for the first time at SIAL Montreal.
"Healthy" will also be an important thread running throughout special programs at the show. Right on the show floor is the Agora Nutrition forum, a space where attendees can learn about the "increasingly close connection" between nutrition and health.
Again this year, the Olive d'Or international olive oil competition will judge extra virgin olive oils according to the International Olive Oil Council standards. Last year, 144 oils from 17 countries were judged in the inaugural awards.
On the attendee front, more U.S. citizens are expected. In 2007, the number of U.S visitors grew by 64 percent from 2005, with some 32 states being represented. At press time, U.S. trade associations participating in SIAL Montreal 2008 include the National Grocers Association, the Association of Food Industries, and the National Association of Retail Marketing Services.
Many of the products are available in the U.S. market. Last year more than 360 Canadian companies showcased products ready to be sold in the United States, Long said.
Show organizers rolled out a multi-faceted promotional campaign specifically tailored to U.S. buyer/visitors carrying the slogan "Get a Taste of Things to Come... at SIAL Montreal, where American Appetites Meet International Innovation." The program includes industry outreach, trade advertising, direct mail, telemarketing and a special online USA Visitor Page.
The show is produced by Paris-based trade show organizer Exposium. For more information, visit www.sialmontreal.com
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