Following a successful debut in 2008, Freshconex returned on 4-6 February 2009 to confirm its place as the leading marketing event for the fresh-cut sector.
This year's event kicked off with the Freshconex Congress, a conference event analysing the market and highlighting opportunities and prospects for the fresh-cut convenience sector. Some 200 industry insiders attended the congress, with sessions focused on the dynamic market in Italy and southern Europe and the role of scientific research in the development of fresh-cut products.
Then on 4-6 February the Freshconex trade fair saw exhibitors presenting their new innovations and developments, with a total of 72 companies present from 13 different countries globally (62 companies in 2008).
During the event, a total of 5,500 trade visitors came to view the products and services presented across 4,000m2 of exhibition space, with 98 per cent of these visitors reporting positive business results from the trade fair.
'Freshconex is one of the highlights of the year for the fresh-cut sector,' said Dominique Duprat, marketing manager at Florette. 'We meet with all of our customers here, and this year we had numerous new enquiries.'
Meanwhile, over 87 per cent of exhibitors at the Freshconex trade fair reported positive business results, with 35 per cent saying that they managed to close business deals during the event.
Thomas Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Association in the US, praised the event for its global flavour and for providing business opportunities.
'The fresh-cut trade is extremely international. Freshconex offers excellent opportunities to meet with our international members, exchange ideas and build up a network with the opinion leaders,' he said.
The next edition of Freshconex will take place on 3-5 February 2010 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in Germany, in conjunction with Fruit Logistica 2010.
