With multiple free trade agreements now in place, Seoul Food & Hotel, Korea's premier international exhibition for the food and hospitality industry, this year proved an even greater attraction to all of the world's leading exporters.

In a show more than a third larger than the previous event, 420 exhibitors from 43 countries, including 27 official national pavilions, displayed products for the entire food and hospitality industry.

A total of almost 40,000 visitors saw dedicated exhibit areas for meat, seafood, wines & spirits, packaging, food safety and technology, as well as products and services for the whole hotel and restaurant sector.

Allworld Exhibitions' Paul March commented: "We are delighted with the positive response of exhibitors and visitors to the event, and with the buoyant trading atmosphere generated in no small part by the ongoing series of free trade agreements between South Korea and the world's major trading blocs. Business was brisk throughout the entire four days of the show, while the new trade protocols augur very well for future events in the series."

There was also an enthusiastic reaction from organisers of many of the official national groups. Kilwon Lee, Royal Norwegian Embassy, said: "The Innovation Norway pavilion exhibited to promote Norwegian products and our companies made many good contacts, especially with potential importer."

Exhibitors, many of whom have already booked for the next event (14-17 May 2013) were also full of praise: "Seoul Food & Hotel is the perfect occasion to take advantage of the great business opportunities in Korea. We plan to return in 2013." commented Paulina Wilamowska of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency.

This year's show, co-organised as usual with Korea's national trade and investment agency KOTRA, was once again held alongside Seoul Food, this year marking its 30th anniversary with the largest event ever in its history.

Seoul Food & Hotel serves a market that imports around 70 per cent of its food needs, with GDP growth approaching 4 per cent a year. The show draws a senior trade-only audience from all sectors of the food and beverage industry: retail, import, distribution, wholesale, manufacture and bakery, as well as the whole of the hospitality segment.

About the organisers

Allworld Exhibitions is Asia Pacific's leading organiser of food and hospitality shows, with 15 such events in the region. These events are marked with the famous Apple quality symbol, and include FHC China, FHA in Singapore and HOFEX in Hong Kong, among many others. In its unique partnership with KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, it has made Seoul Food & Hotel the undisputed entry point to the Korean food, drink and hospitality market.

The venue

The KINTEX exhibition complex is one of the newest and finest international facilities in North East Asia. It is close to both Gimpo and Incheon international airports and a short distance from metropolitan Seoul. It is close to many leading hotels and is within easy reach of the Seoul subway system.

For further information

Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd 12th floor, Westminster Tower, 3 Albert Embankment London, SE1 7SP, UK www.allworldexhibitions.com/food Ms Charlotte Bertruc Project Coordinator Tel: +44(0)20 7840 2148 Fax: +44(0)20 7840 2111 Email: cbertruc@oesallworld.com

Korean Exhibition Management Co. Ltd #1408 LG Twintel 1st, 157-8 Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-880, Korea www.seoulfoodnhotel.co.kr Ms Ellen Ha Project Coordinator Tel: +82 (0)2 569 5004 Fax: +82 (0)2 569 7399 Email: ellen@kemallworld.com

International Expo Management Pte Ltd No.1 Jalan Kilang Timor #09-03 Pacific Tech Centre Singapore, 159303 www.allworldexhibitions.com/food Mr Davin Er Project Manager Tel: +65 6233 6777 Fax: +65 6233 6768 Email: davin@iemallworld.com