SIAL Montreal 2024
21st Edition
SIAL network’s 60th anniversary
May 15 -17, 2024
SIAL
Canada:
The
much awaited Salon International de l'Alimentation au Canada (SIAL
Canada) that comes to Montreal every second year, had been again held this year to the Palais
des congrès de Montréal. The only difference was - a very pleasant one - it was held on two levels at the Palais, whereas in the past one level was sufficient.
This 21st edition, which also marks
the SIAL network’s 60th
anniversary,
looks back at over six decades of food innovation, and presents the
new trends that are shaping the future of the food industry.
With an impressive roster of over 1,000 exhibitors and an attendance of more than 20,000 professionals, SIAL Canada is the leading agri-food business accelerator in North America. The event was a unique opportunity for food industry players to connect, learn and discover the latest trends and innovations.
This
year’s edition featured 10
thematic forums, presented by
Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the SIAL
To Go immersive experience, interactive
workshops and prestigious competitions such
as SIAL
Innovation, the Pitch
Competition and the all-new Best
Canadian Cheesemonger Competition.
Christine
Plante,
founder of the Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise gala, launched
this year's major food Expo as the Master of Ceremonies.
Re-imagining the future
SIAL
Canada broadend its horizons by focusing on industry-related
knowledge sharing. Open to exhibitors and visitors alike, the Show
provided a platform for dialogue and innovative ideas. Access to the
conferences, previously subject to a fee, was now be free for all
visitors with the purchase of a regular ticket. The new conference
format included 10 thematic forums each lasting 1:45 hours, with
inspiring keynotes as well as expert panels delving into hot industry
topics such as packaging, innovation, trends, technology, To-Go
service, retail, supply chain management and more.
Introducing
SIAL Dairy
As
part of the drive to adapt and to listen to industry stakeholders,
SIAL Canada repositioned its "Cheese Section"
by renaming it "SIAL Dairy", and highlighted its openness to all players in the dairy sector. The
Show also introduced a new competition honouring the Best
Canadian Cheesemonger, chaired
by renowned master cheesemaker Yannick
Achim. Presented for the first time
in Montréal, this competition is set to become SIAL's flagship
event.
Celebrating
innovation
Being
at the heart of the food industry also means celebrating innovation
and the forward-thinking leaders who
are helping to shape it. Through key events such as the Pitch
Competition for start-ups, the
SIAL Innovation showcase, and the new Canadian Cheesemonger
Competition, the Show shined a
spotlight on visionary entrepreneurs and innovations that are
changing the way the food is produced, consumed and is understood.
SIAL
Canada 2024: Building business relationships
Again
this year, SIAL Canada remained true to its fundamental mission of
stimulating progress in the food
trade, offering retailers, buyers,
producers, suppliers, importers and wholesalers a dynamic
platform for establishing and
fostering meaningful business relationships, encounters and
partnerships.
SoSIAL:
A program committed to durability
To
reduce food waste and promote the transfer of knowledge and skills to
future generations for a more sustainable society, SIAL Canada's
SoSIAL program
remains committed to the community. The
Show has renewed its partnership with Moisson
Montréal and surplus food from the
event will be donated for distribution to those in
need. In addition, for every ticket sold, SIAL Canada will donate $5
to support
Moisson Montréal's mission.
About
SIAL Canada
SIAL
Canada is part of the SIAL network, the world's leading network of
trade shows dedicated to the food industry, with 10 trade shows
bringing together 16,700 exhibitors and 700,000 trade visitors from
over 200 countries. Established in 2001, SIAL Canada is the result of
the work of three organizations, all shareholders in the event: SIAL,
ADAQ (Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec) and
Groupe Export agroalimentaire Québec-Canada, in addition to
receiving support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the
Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation
du Québec (MAPAQ), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
The food packaging industry was also strongly represented this year.
Click on images to enlarge them.
All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova