1,300 exhibiting brands, 30 pavilions, 138,000 m2 of exhibition space, more than 5,500 business meetings. These are some of the figures from the 46th edition of Sigep, held from 18 to 22 January in Rimini. An edition in which “the challenge of internationality was met”, says Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group. The event had a total of +14% of attendees, of which +26% came from abroad

German attendance grew by 68%, followed by Spain with +21% and then Romania, France, Greece, and Poland, all with double-digit increases. In more general terms, the top ten countries with the largest increases include the United States, with +64%, and the Middle East, with 38%, with the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iraq as the most represented countries. Africa registered +30% and even Latin America rose by 10%, driven by Brazil. As for Asia, it is worth highlighting the significant increase of +34% from India.

Sigep, in addition to proving once again that it is a benchmark in ice cream, also grew in the Coffee sector, with a +30% increase in espresso and super-automatic machine companies, and an increase of 50 companies in the Pizza section, mainly technologies such as mixers, ovens, flours, toppings, and frozen bases.

One of the most popular activities was the Taste of Tomorrow installation, where the ice cream of the future was presented as more organic, sustainable, and functional. New flavors inspired by herbs from an alpine landscape processed with microalgae were showcased in the area, confirming that innovation and experimentation are the basis of the work of master ice cream makers.

In terms of competitions, we highlight the European qualifying round of the Gelato World Cup, with Germany’s surprising victory, and the Bread in the City world baking championship, with China, Spain and Italy on the podium.