SIAL Canada Returns to Toronto

Toronto, January 12, 2015: SIAL Canada, the International Food and Beverage tradeshow, returns to Toronto for the third time from April 28 to 30, 2015. The Toronto edition promises to be a source of inspiration and innovation for the entire agri-food industry.

As the largest food tradeshow in Canada, SIAL Canada offers visitors an unequalled selection of International, Canadian and Quebec products.  In addition, as the largest tradeshow in the Great Lakes region, SIAL Canada has significant influence across the American Northeast.

In 2014, SIAL Canada experienced record-breaking numbers in Montreal. For three days, Montreal became the capital of the agri-food and food-service industries. With 786 exhibitors from 44 countries and nearly 15,000 professional visitors from 61 countries, there's no doubt that the 2014 edition of SIAL Canada was a resounding success.

Now back in Toronto for 2015, SIAL Canada is proud to position itself as the only tradeshow in Canada that reflects the very latest consumer trends.  In fact, 3 out of 4 visitors to the 2014 show attended in order to see the industry’s newest trends and products.  This year, visitors from at least 60 countries are expected to come meet and do business with nearly 800 exhibitors in the over 230,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space.

Indonesia: 2015 Country of Honour

As Italy was in 2011 and Morocco in 2013, Indonesia will be SIAL Canada’s Country of Honour for 2015. With 249 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the ASEAN’s most important agricultural country and its leading economy, accounting for 38% of GDP. A strategic sector that is expanding rapidly, supported by ever-increasing local demand, the food market (+57% between 2011 and 2015) is a vital factor, not only for the country itself, but also for the entire ASEAN zone.

Mr. Rachmat Gobel, Minister of Trade says “The Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia has consistently participated in SIAL Canada since 2012. Furthermore, we are pleased that our participation has increased from year to year both in terms of the size of the pavilion and the number of participants and transactions. Indonesia’s Pavilion has grown from 100 square feet in 2012 to 3,400 square feet in 2015! This year, we are looking forward to welcoming up to 25 companies at our Pavilion.”

Register now for this must-see event!

SIAL Canada’s Three Pillars of Strength:

1. Innovation

SIAL Innovation: the only international contest with a presence in the four corners of the world. Made up of food-industry experts, and held in partnership with XTC World Innovation, the jury awards 10 finalists and one Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner, as well as all of the finalists, will have the unique opportunity of traveling the world to all of the SIAL shows, which include: Canada (Montreal/Toronto), China, Brazil, the Philippines (SIAL ASEAN), Paris, Jakarta (SIAL InterFOOD) and Abu Dhabi. This year, for the first time, a "people's choice" award will also be granted.

The finalists' – including the Grand Prize winner's – submissions will be made available for tasting at the SIAL Innovation space at the heart of the show. Surrounded by experts, including the members of the jury, the selected products – including those of the finalists – will be available for questions from visitors looking for new trends and new products.

2. An International Brand

By 2050 in Canada, 50% of the population will be of foreign origin, and, by 2031, 56% of Toronto's population will be of Asian origin. In keeping with these changing demographics and consumers' growing demand for ethnic and specialty products, SIAL Canada will offer a world of products to discover! Thanks to the strength of the SIAL Group’s one-of-a-kind international network and by hosting exhibitors from more than 50 countries and visitors from over 60 countries, SIAL Canada is the place to be to understand and meet consumer demand today and tomorrow.

In addition, for the first time, SIAL Canada will offer Canadian and international exhibitors a unique platform for B2B meetings. The U.S. Hosted Buyer Program is an exclusive business meeting tool involving buyers and importers from the United States.

3. The Importance of the Local Market

SIAL Canada is the only show that represents all of Canada, with more than 400 Canadian exhibitors and all 10 provinces represented. SIAL Canada is also the only show that brings local know-how to the forefront through a variety of events, including La Cuisine, THE LAB, and Cheese by SIAL.

SIAL Canada is also proud to provide its support to charitable organizations, most notably, Second Harvest. Since 2011, this organization has collected food products from our exhibitors, a donation that provided enough food for around 22,000 meals. In addition, for the second time in 2015, a donation of $1 for each paid visitor pass will be provided to Second Harvest.

Additional Innovative and Inspiring Events!

Olive d’Or: Canada's biggest extra-virgin olive oil competition, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2015!  The Olive d’Or space allows visitors to discover and taste the world's best olive oils, all while surrounded by connoisseurs!

La Cuisine by SIAL: a space for local and international inspiration, innovation and know-how. La Cuisine brings together every facet of gastronomy: products, know-how from food-service professionals, and new ideas to seduce an ever-more-demanding clientele. The not-to-be-missed morning sessions will be followed by brand-new recipes, produced right before your eyes by a series of corporate chefs.

THE LAB: For its first edition in Toronto, and given the theme's success in Montreal in 2014, this new project will cover the magic of pastry! A unique activity, where artisans' passion will take form right in front of you, for your awe and pleasure.

Conferences: Not to be missed! The program of conferences is back with topics grounded in current developments and the involvement of renowned speakers like Nielsen, Canada Post, GS1, the OTA and the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association.

SIAL Canada's mission is to provide a platform for the exchange and sharing of know-how to help all involved in food industry even more successful. Thanks to the SIAL Group network, 2015 will mark the first time that an international conference will be held on the topic of the supply chain. For two hours on April 28, national and international experts will discuss the importance of the supply chain, which has become of considerable importance to the agri-food industry.

Cheese by SIAL: Launched in 2014, it's a worldwide first for the SIAL Group, where exceptional products and expertise from across the globe converge in order to better meet the needs of a changing market. This area will deliver big surprises in Toronto in 2015.

To enable visitors to get around the show in a relaxed and efficient manner, themed paths will all be marked. The only ones of their kind in North America, these paths are adapted depending on the category of product that each exhibitor has to offer. Whether visitors are looking for gluten-free or organic products, cheese or high-tech equipment, these paths will get them to where they want to be!

About SIAL Canada

SIAL Canada is an integral part of the SIAL Group, the leading global network of shows dedicated to the food industry, with seven shows (SIAL Paris, SIAL Canada, SIAL China, SIAL Brazil, SIAL Middle East, SIAL ASEAN, and SIAL InterFood Jakarta) that bring together 12,000 exhibitors and 280,000 visitors from 200 countries. Established in 2001, SIAL Canada is the fruit of three agencies' labour, all of whom are shareholders in the event: the ADAQ (Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec), the Agri-Food Export Group Quebec-Canada, and Comexposium (owner of the SIAL shows and a subsidiary of the Unibail Group).