An influx of new exhibitors is expected to raise by 15 per cent the number of participants in HoReCa 2002 - the Levant's ninth hospitality and food service exhibition being held in Beirut on April 9-13.
Joumana Dammous-Salame, managing director of organising company Hospitality Services said there has been avid interest in the show from international exhibitors with more than 35 newcomers from the Gulf already onboard. "We expect to have over 265 exhibitors at HoReCa 2002," said Salame. Countries with their own pavilion at HoReCa 2002 include the UK, Italy and Belgium. Other countries represented through local or regional companies include France, Holland, Canada, Austria, Germany and Jordan. HoReCa 2002, held under the patronage of Lebanese president Emile Lahoud, is also moving to BIEL, a new exhibition centre at the heart of the Beirut Central District. In addition, the exhibition is being divided into two main events: The "Levant Trade Show for the Hospitality and Foodservice Industries" and the "International Food and Drink Exhibition". Other activities on the agenda include the now customary "Hospitality Salon Culinaire", which features an annual chefs competition, an alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages bartending competition and a "Job Meeting Point" designed to bring employers together with the industry's potential brightest newcomers.