Trade show postponements: Free From Functional & Health Ingredients, Free From Packaging will bounce back

27 Mar 2020 --- Following the global escalation of COVID-19, Free From Functional & Health Ingredients (FFFHI) and Free From Packaging (FFP), which were planned to take place at the RAI Amsterdam from June 24-25, will be postponed to November 24-25 2020. Meanwhile, the third edition of ProWine Asia (Singapore) scheduled for July 13-16, 2020 will be postponed to March 2-5, 2021.

According to Ronald Holman, Event Director for FFFHI and FFP, the health and safety of the growing Free From community is a number one priority and it is not a decision that was made lighty, he notes.

Free From Functional & Health Ingredients (FFFHI) is a key European platform for the dynamic free-from industries. The Expo sits alongside Free From Packaging (FFP). Bringing together more than 4,500 high calibre professionals from more than 63 countries, FFFHI offers a platform to establish and grow business relationships, with a range of networking opportunities. 

The exhibition will run in conjunction with Free From Packaging, which aims to service the food, pharma, cosmetics and luxury markets. This event focuses on the requirement for sustainable packaging and the latest developments within this arena.

“The health and safety of our growing Free From community is our number one priority,” says Holman. “While it is disappointing to postpone, we believe it is in the best interests of all involved – from our exhibitors and visitors to our staff, show sponsors and partners. This is not a decision we have made lightly, but with careful consideration of the needs of the wider community that make this event such a success,” he notes. 

“We understand that Free From Functional & Health Ingredients is an important event in the Free From community and we want to extend our thanks for the support and understanding shown during this challenging time. We look forward to welcoming you to the RAI Amsterdam this November when we can return to create a great event that offers value for both our exhibitors and attendees.” 

Reflecting one of the food and drink industry’s most dynamic sectors, FFFHI and FFP will showcase pioneering developments across five distinct product categories, including Free From, Vegan, Natural/Organic, Functional and Ingredients. 

ProWine Asia (Singapore) also postponed
The wines and spirits trade fair, ProWine Asia (Singapore) is jointly organized by Messe Duesseldorf Asia and Informa Markets and will co-locate once again with FHA-Food & Beverage at Singapore Expo. This year, the show was expected to take place July 13-16, 2020 and now has been postponed to March 2-5, 2021. The postponement represents an unprecedented scenario for all concerned and ProWine Asia (Singapore) will continue to take every possible measure to carry over the successful status of the trade fair to the new date in 2021.

Rescheduling the trade fair was deemed necessary in the continued fight against COVID-19 and on the back of tightened border control measures and travel restrictions, total lockdown measures in some countries, tighter social distancing measures and most recently, the suspension of all events and mass gatherings announced by Singapore's Multi-Ministry Taskforce.

“The decision is right and responsible in view of the latest developments and this postponement of ProWine Asia (Singapore) to 2021 is unavoidable. We believe it is in the best interest of all our exhibitors, visitors, staff and Singapore as host country to reschedule the trade fair to next year,” says Gernot Ringling, Managing Director, Messe Duesseldorf Asia.

“Though a difficult but necessary decision, the health and safety of all stakeholders takes priority. We are convinced that the new date and the bounce back effect next year, coupled with the synergistic co-location with FHA-Food & Beverage, will generate much needed business for the industry in Asia. Together the two exhibitions will provide a dynamic sourcing and networking platform for the food, drinks, wines and spirits portfolios,” he explains. 

You can keep up to date with all the latest trade shows, including cancellations and postponements, using FoodIngredientsFirst's event calendar.

Edited by Elizabeth Green