The agenda for The Big Food & Beverage Forum, to place on 20 September at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, has been confirmed.
The second edition of the annual event, hosted by Catering News Middle East, is expected to welcome more than 150 F&B professionals from across the region.
The key topics, trends and challenges impacting the F&B industry in 2016 and beyond will be tackled during a morning of panel debates, expert speaker sessions and interactive workshops.
Registration and networking will begin at 8am with Catering News to officially open the forum with a special address at 8.30am
This will be followed by presentations from the presenting sponsor, the keynote speaker, and an expert session on what the impending smoking ban in the UAE will mean for the F&B industry.
The first panel session of the event is “Creating a more sophisticated F&B landscape”, which will explore the impact oversaturation has had on the market, and how homegrown, neighbourhood F&B concepts and new community developments are helping to create a more mature ecosystem.
Damien Rizzi, Colliers MENA senior asset manager- hospitality will then unveil his latest F&B data during an expert session on maximising profitability in hotel restaurants.
We will also welcome legendary British chef, restaurateur and author Gary Rhodes OBE to the stage to discuss his views on the F&B landscape in the Middle East and his plans for the future in the region.
“A rising talent pool: but at what cost” is the title of the second panel session, which will look at how operators can best balance increasing payroll costs with consumer demand for value for money, while retaining their best talent and minimising staff poaching.
The final panel debate of the forum will delve into the cuisine trends impacting the Middle East F&B industry and how chefs are responding to increasing consumer awareness of provenance, sustainability and nutrition.
A networking lunch with interactive workshops will follow at 12.45pm, allowing attendees the opportunity to meet with peers and learn more about the latest products on the market.
A range of sponsorship opportunities are available, with A. Ronai and TSSC having already confirmed their support.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diarmuid O’Malley: dom@bncpublishing.net or Nick Clowes: nick@bncpublishing.net.
While speaking opportunities are very limited, please contact Crystal Chesters: Crystal@bncpublishing.net to enquire about these.
To register your interest in attending the event, please email Mark Anthony Monzon: mark@bncpublishing.net
Access the full agenda and details of confirmed speakers by clicking on this link.
