Host Milan has signed a collaboration agreement with Restaurants Canada with the aim of generating improved trade between Canada and Italy.
The main business association in Canada for the restaurant and foodservices industry, Restaurants Canada has more than 30,000 members made up of restaurants and bars, catering firms, institutions and foodservice suppliers.
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Fiera Milano commented: “The partnership between HostMilano and Restaurants Canada best exemplifies our internationalisation strategy, which aims to bring Italian excellence to the world and, at the same time, bring the world to Italy.
“In today’s increasingly interconnected economy, physical trade fairs are more essential than ever, but their function has been radically overhauled. No longer simply business platforms where supply meets demand, they are now key drivers for the relevant business sectors to which they must provide a full spectrum of services to sustain a real industrial policy.”
It is the latest in a series of targeted partnerships by Host Milan to deepen penetration in North America, an area of focus in the Italian government’s plan for the promotion of “Made in Italy”.
The initiative comes in the year Canada marks its 150th birthday, and in the wake of similar initiatives in the United States, which, along with Canada, is a target country for Host Milan 2017.
Shanna Munro, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada said: “This new partnership with Host Milan is a very exciting first for Restaurants Canada and the hospitality industry. We’re proud to showcase Canada and our incredible culinary scene on the world stage via Host Milan, which is one of the most innovative and successful hospitality events in the world.
“As the voice of foodservice in Canada, we see tremendous value in connecting buyers and sellers internationally, and opening the door to new business opportunities. We look forward to leading trade delegations to Host Milan over the coming years to see, first hand, new innovations that will inspire and drive our industry forward, and provide new products for consumers to enjoy.”
Canada has more than 94,000 restaurants and foodservice points serving more than 18 million customers every day.
According to Restaurants Canada, in 2015 the restaurant industry of the country generated 74.9 billion Canadian dollars (CAD) in sales (Euro 51.8 billion), an increase of 4.1% on 2014.
The organisation expects 2016 will mark the 25th year of growth, with sales rising 4.2% to reach CAD 78 billion (Euro 54.6 billion).
In a recent survey, 45% of Restaurant Canada’s members reported an increase in their business in the first quarter of 2016, with respect to the same period of 2015.
Last year, restaurant patronage and eating out accounted for 38.2% of total spending on food (36.8% in 2010).
The lion’s share of revenue is generated by quick-service restaurants (CAD 26.8 billion, equal to Euro 18.5 billion) and full-service restaurants (CAD 25.9 billion, equal to Euro 17.9 billion).
As part of the partnership, Host Milan will have an important presence at the Restaurants Canada Show 2017 and at a series of other networking events and conferences.
