PARIS -- This year's edition of the Salon International de l'Alimentation, the biannual food and beverage trade show, is scheduled to be held here Oct. 22 to 26.
enting more than 90 countries, the exhibitors will occupy more than 2.1 million square feet of exhibit space in seven halls.
U.S. food manufacturers will be represented in the largest-ever USA Pavilion at SIAL. Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and organized by IMEX Management, Charlotte, N.C., the USA Pavilion will host 150 exhibitors as well as an American Culinary Theater sponsored by four U.S. regional trade groups.
Nearly two-thirds of the exhibiting companies are international, according to SIAL's parent company Exposium, based here. International (non-French) attendees are expected to make up 45% of the total. If projections for exhibitors and attendees are met, SIAL 2000 will surpass the 1998 Paris show, which hosted 4,741 exhibitors and 121,084 attendees. New elements at this year's show include improved presentation for both the beverage and seafood sectors. The beverage category will be divided into four sub-categories: beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks.
Attendees interested in the full range of seafood products can follow "La Route de la Mer," encompassing the whole range of fresh, frozen and canned fish and seafood products from hundreds of companies in one area.
SIAL's "Trends and Innovations" area will showcase developments in health, convenience, pleasure and fitness that are likely to affect food and beverage consumption. The 6,400-square-foot area will be organized for the first time by geographical regions: Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.
Also new for the 2000 SIAL will be a 10,000-square-foot area devoted to the catering sector, including booths and a demonstration area.
Another attraction will be an area devoted to winners of the SIAL D'Or awards, given to innovative, commercially successful food and beverage products in nine categories by an international jury of food journalists. The single winner of the Golden SIAL D'Or, chosen from among the category winners, will be announced at a ceremony on Oct. 23.
In addition to the biannual Paris show, SIAL's organizers sponsor several international food and beverage trade shows. The first SIAL China was held in Beijing in April. SIAL's first North American event, SIAL Montreal, will take place March 4 to 6, 2001.