SIAL Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

For those of you who will be attending SIAL in Paris next month, take note: Innovation and SIAL have been constant companions for the last 50 years! With its never-ending commitment to innovation, SIAL has become the guidebook par excellence to trends in the food industry on a global scale. Innovation can be found everywhere in the food aisles, promoted by over 6,000 companies. It also takes center stage in the SIAL Innovation Area, the focal point of the exhibition, which highlights the most striking innovations. Innovation occupies pride of place at SIAL. 

More than that, however, innovation is part of SIAL’s DNA, epitomizing its expertise and modernity, as reflected in the high numbers who attend, with three out of four visitors finding it a source of inspiration. 

Whereas innovation is now a global issue, it is even more crucial for boosting the French food industry, which with its 11,852 companies (98 percent of which are SMEs or very small businesses), plays a vital role in the country’s vitality in terms of turnover and jobs. SIAL offers its innovative exhibitors a springboard for enhancing their international profile among key buyers in the industry… and much more besides since, in addition to the October 2014 exhibition, SIAL will be supporting innovative French businesses at Expo Milano 2015 in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

With 50 years’ experience and a global presence backed up by more than 10 exhibitions across the world, SIAL has truly become a key platform for global food supply and demand, building bridges and promoting encounters and opportunities between industry professionals. With each successive edition of SIAL Paris, the organizers have endeavored to make the exhibition much more than a simple trade show – a multicultural network, a forum for exchange and inspiration that helps companies on the road to future success.

SIAL Paris 2014 will pursue these goals, unveiling the major trends and innovations that will soon be influencing chefs and revitalizing supermarket shelves. The key (and universal) element that is sure to be highlighted is: pleasure! Because there is no doubt that, wherever you are in the world, food is still one of life’s small pleasures … 150,000 international visitors are expected to meet over 6,000 exhibiting companies and share this visionary approach.

The exhibition has been heralding innovations and inspiring the industry for 50 years. The atmosphere this year will be particularly festive as SIAL marks the 50th anniversary of SIAL Paris. Although the celebrations have already begun in Canada, China, Brazil and the Philippines, Paris – the birthplace of SIAL – will, of course, be the climax. There will be a special get-together for everyone on the evening of Monday, Oct. 20, on the esplanade of the Parc des Expositions, where there will be a giant sound-and-light extravaganza. And since a birthday without a cake is not a birthday, pastry chef Claire Verneil and SIAL sponsor Christian Le Squer (an eminent and Michelin-starred star of the French gourmet scene), together with 50 renowned chefs, will make an exceptional cake that befits such an occasion.