EXPO RIVA HOTEL 2017

Expo Riva Hotel, the fair especially for those working in the Hospitality and Catering business, held at the Riva del Garda Exhibition Centre from 5th to 8th February 2017, has closed its doors on the 41st edition. A successful event which achieved some excellent results: on the first day, open to both operators and the public, an initial 20% increase in the number of visitors was recorded and overall, during the four days, the fair saw 11% more entries than in 2016, equating to 26,037 people who passed through the eight exhibition halls. 

“Our objective was to exceed 25,000 entries” – states a very satisfied Roberto Pellegrini, Chairman of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi - “and we made it. The figures seen at this edition of Expo Riva Hotel are an important sign both for our company and also for the hotel and catering business in general. Expo Riva Hotel once again claims it place as the key trade fair for companies and workers in the HO.RE.CA. 

sector and this year, visitors were also able to take part in the seventy plus seminars, getting up to date and in-depth information on a number of subjects from web marketing to ways in which to specialise and tailor their service to a new tourist target.” 

“Training is the vital thread that runs through all the initiatives ofRiva del Garda Fierecongressi” - explains the company’s Managing Director,Giovanni Laezza. “The packed programme of seminars and workshops were certainly one the key factors attributing to the success of Expo Riva Hotel 2017. Together with the Expo Riva Hotel Academy, we have brought together new opportunities for our visitors, enabling them to develop their knowledge within the context of a trade fair. The broad range of product areas present at Expo Riva Hotel enables us to cover every field, finding answers even to the most demanding needs, and all under one roof. The decision to organise the halls into four themed macro ideas rather than splitting them up throughout the year was a winner. Expo Riva Hotel is the Italian fair with the highest internal range of products and services on display. This means that we can intercept a really wide audience within the sector, also because Riva del Garda is situated in on of the main Italian districts that accounts for 15% of the national structures.”

Two projects that were launched last year both demonstrated enormous growth: RPM - Riva Planet Mixology and SOLOBIRRA. A jury made up of 8 experts joined Expo Riva Hotel to award the micro beer-makers present. The Pejo Beer-makers won the title of SOLOBIRRA 2017 with their ‘Aquila’ beer, in the Belgian Dark Ale category, and the Mastro ReBuf beer-makers won the prize judged by the public jury. The RPM seminars run by a selection of bartenders of international fame over the four days were very well received. 

“The sectors which gave the greatest satisfaction were those of food and large installations, thanks to the return of some key brands, and also the wellness sector” - explains Carla Costa, Manager of the Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Fairs Unit - “We have noted the new trend to invest once again in wellness centres and outdoor areas, thanks in part to the development of new energy-saving technology, which was also an element presented at Expo Riva Hotel 2017. This edition shows an increase of 6% amongst direct exhibitors as well as the presence of some foreign companies who have found their reference point here in Riva del Garda to be able to enter the national Italian market.” 

Another area that was the focus of special attention was that relating to acts of sustainability, both environmental and social. The three most sustainable stands at the exhibition were awarded a special prize, and these were: Confcommercio, Tecno Ambiente and Planet Bevande and Expo Riva Hotel 2017 simultaneously took part in the Food For Good project against food waste. Each day a link was made with Torrita di Amatrice by the Italian Cooks’ Association who were at the fair with show-cooking and contests involving over 200 chefs, young chefs and lady chefs. AMIRA (the Italian Maîtres’ Association) and ASPI (the Professional Italian Sommeliers’ Association) offered the chance to put your taste buds to a blind test in conjunction with the Trentino section of the Italian Union for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 

One of the highlights was the surprise visit by Giovanni Rana, the ambassador for good Italian food in the world. 

The dates for 2018 are from 4th to 7th February.  But Expo Riva Hotel will continue throughout 2017 thanks to the travelling road show of the Expo Riva Hotel Academy with Teamwork across the country.