Things are really getting under way. There are still just under eight months to go to the 43rd edition of HostMilano, which will be held at fieramilano in Rho from 13 to 17 October, but 1,200 companies have already registered to take part in the event. They will come from 44 countries with a high international profile (45% of the total will be from abroad), with numerous foreign top players.

Among the most widely represented countries are the USA, and European countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Italy is of course widely represented and will be flying the flag in all sectors covered by HostMilano.

Some 700 high-profile hosted buyers from 63 countries are expected at the event. These include distributors, food&beverage managers, retailers, exporters and importers, out-of-home catering and food service professionals, chefs and others from the large-scale retail trade and hospitality sector. The last edition was attended in particular by buyers from the United States, Canada and the Arab Emirates.

This leading world platform for technologies, products, formats and services relating to professional hospitality and out-of-home eating and drinking will present – as it does every two years – a full overview of innovation in the sector, with an-depth analysis of everything that is happening in the individual business lines. These divide into three macro areas, grouped together as follows: Professional Catering and Bakery-Pasta-Pizza; Coffee-Tea, Bars and Coffee-Making Machinery-Vending, Gelato and Pastry; and finally Tableware, Technology and Contract Furnishings.

The bar and coffee sectors are – together with SIC (the International Coffee Show) – an international point of reference that involves all those with an interest in all aspects of the business from the green bean to the finished beverage.