Outdoor catering has become an important sales catalyst and is not simply a trend triggered by the pandemic. The idea of outdoor dining appeals to every age group and is no longer just seasonal, but all year round. Thus, the organisers seek to create synergies and ease networking. The "Bridge" hybrid project piloted by the Migros Zurich Coperative, for instance, will cover a 2,000 square metre area. Bridge's mix of supermarket, catering and events should create a link between gastronomy, events and retail under a single roof making for a lively meeting place for visitors.
This year's Internorga, underway from April 28 until May 4, in Hamburg's Exhibition Centre, will be held under the motto of "Back to the Future" after the leading international trade fair for the hotel and catering industry went digital in 2021. The fair's new concept combines fun, sustainability and the increasingly popular outdoor catering sector.
Internorga banking on new concept
New hall for outdoor catering
Internorga will present a new hall dedicated solely to outdoor gastronomy. Restaurant owners and hoteliers can view novel products for the outdoors area such as weatherproof furniture, heating systems, tent roofs, plants and offers a perfect platform for reaching brand new customers.
Suppliers and manufacturers specialising in the outdoors can present their products and solutions to a broad specialist audience with even more space and countless new options for optimal product presentation.
Changing catering sector
Internorga will not lack trends and innovations this year as the catering sector is transitioning towards a coexistence of retail, gastronomy and shopping experience. Apart from the new "Outdoor Hall", the fair will also feature a "Craft Coffee Area" and a new "Digital" theme world focusing on cloud-based merchandise management systems and automated duty rosters.
The same applies to the "Packaging + Delivery" area, which is becoming increasingly important. More and more delivery services are shaping the image of many cities and have long since become an integral part of everyday life. The repercussions of this trend for the catering sector will be the subject of many discussions during this year's fair.
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