Host 2023, being held at Fieramilano in Rho from Friday 13th to Tuesday 15th October, will see a return to the numbers last recorded in 2019 – more than 2,000 exhibitors from 50 countries have registered – and an even richer, high-level programme, with over 800 events increasingly focused on sustainable and responsible innovation.

New ideas and welcome returns

New this year is ChocolateCulture@Host23 (Hall 6 Stand H34 H42 L33 L41), the first B2B event dedicated to chocolate culture. Led by the internationally-acclaimed maître chocolatier Davide Comaschi at Host 2023 the ChocolateCulture@Host23 team will for the first time promote and celebrate the culture of chocolate also as an opportunity for business growth. The transition from tea to Kombucha to chocolate, tiramisu "without overdoing it", and chocolate as the key to a luxury business are just some of the interesting topics that will be explored.

Everyone is also very much looking forward to the return of Luxury Pastry in the World by Iginio Massari (Hall 6 Stand E04 E12 G03 G11): the "master of masters" once again presents his hub for the most creative and innovative pastry making, which will host demonstrations, tastings and talks. 28 Italian and foreign pastry chefs will share their secrets with professional visitors, including a female representation and the likes of Marta Boccanera, Loretta Fanella and Bilena Settepani.

Another important new feature is the World Team Panettone Championship (Hall 6 Stand H31 - G32) organised by the Academy of Masters of Mother Yeast and Italian Panettone: the national finalists in the first edition are Argentina, France, Germany, Japan , Italy, Poland, Spain and Taiwan. Following on from the competitive qualifying rounds (the championship was held in teams for the first time) the exciting finals will be held at Host 2023, with master leavening specialists Claudio Gatti, Aniello di Caprio, Giuseppe Mascolo and Beniamino Bazzoli representing Italy.

But there are countless other competitions and championships which, together with the professional development events, only add to Host 2023's appeal. To learn more about the most surprising innovations, be sure to visit the area displaying the ideas that have been recognised with the Smart Label – Host Innovation Award (Hall 6 Stand A44 B43 B49 B50).

And to be surenot to miss any of the Host 2023 events, consult the complete programme on the event website.