Celebrating its 20th birthday, Gulfood has come a long way, growing in size and scale from humble beginnings with its emphasis on strategy, innovation and leadership skills, combined with the three Ts – trade, transport and tourism.
Twenty years ago, Gulfood attracted 65 exhibitors and three hotels from 13 countries to its inaugural edition. Today, it has evolved into the world’s largest food and hospitality exhibition, drawing over 4,800 exhibitors from 120 countries, attracting more than 80,000 visitors.
“Dubai has always been a trading hub with the right infrastructure and flexible government regulations. Its ascendance in global trade and the focus on the Middle East market didn’t happen accidentally or overnight. It required good planning and design. The Gulfood success story isn’t very different. If what we’ve achieved in the last 20 years is any indication, the next decade definitely looks brighter,” asserts Mark Napier, director of exhibitions and events, Dubai World Trade Centre.