IFFA 2016: varied complementary programme includes special shows, specialist lectures and competitions
New events meet tradition: 'IFFA Forum' and 'IFFA Talk' prove as much of a magnet as international competitions
IFFA, the No. 1 for the meat industry, will be exhibiting all the new products and trends in the sector to an international trade and professional public from 7 to 12 May. It is the industry's leading platform, an exciting exhibition of new products and a stimulus for the entire meat industry all in one. Alongside the exhibitors' product innovations, the trade fair offers a varied complementary programme, which picks up on the current developments in the sector.
Specialist lectures with examples of best practice, dedicated exhibitions, panel discussions and competitions offer visitors the opportunity to get information, to debate the issues and to make new contacts.
'IFFA Forum': focus on the major issues in the sector
The 'IFFA Forum', which will be taking place from 8 to 11 May in the foyer of Hall 11.1, is a new departure. The event combines expert lectures in the morning with examples of practical applications, presented by exhibitors, in the afternoon and, each day, focuses on a major trend within the sector.
On Sunday, the first topic deals with career opportunities in the meat industry. Alongside a lecture, given by an expert in the field, on 'Searching for, finding and keeping talent', present and former prizewinners of the 'Förderpreis der Fleischwirtschaft' (Promotional Award of the Meat Industry), will report on career aims and the attractiveness of various employers. The afternoon will be given over to innovations and trends relating to ingredients. From 2:00 p.m. onwards there will be several 20-minute talks by exhibitors, including, for instance, Bizerba and AkzoNobel Salt.
The Monday of the show is all about the key issue of 'Food safety and traceability' and thus covers aspects of logistics, software and packaging processes, as well as issues of hygiene. In the morning, Jörg Pretzel of GS 1 Germany – amongst others – will give a talk with the title: 'From raw materials to consumer – the present and future of traceability.' Then, Udo Baitinger, from the German Association of the Food and Hospitality Industry (Berufsgenossenschaft Nahrungsmittel und Gastgewerbe) will talk on the fundamental requirements for the design of suitably hygienic machinery and plant. In the afternoon, exhibitors such as, for example, Multivac, Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik and Ishida Europe will present their solutions relating to food safety and traceability.
On Tuesday, exhibitors and industry experts will throw the spotlight on the current state of play with regard to 'Automation and Optimisation of Productivity', which, at one and the same time, will cover areas such as Industry 4.0, partially autonomous systems and process optimisation. To begin with, Lars Leopold Hinrichsen from the Danish Meat Research Institute, will speak about innovative technologies and concepts for automating both slaughtering and subsequent processing stages. Axel Graefe from the KIN Food Institute will take a closer look at the subject of 'Understanding and regulating complex processes in entertaining ways – food technicians 4.0 in the digital transformation process.'
Following that, Dr. Patricia Stock from the REFA Institute will consider the thesis that 'The fabric of the future will not and cannot exist without human beings – organisation of work and human resources management in the age of Industry 4.0.'. The afternoon is reserved for exhibitors' contributions, including those of Bizerba, Multivac, Milmeq Limited and Poly-clip System.
On Wednesday 11 May, the 'IFFA Forum' will be devoted to the currently important topic of 'Efficient use of natural resources and sustainability', linking this with social acceptability in the sector.
'The best possible quality of product vs optimal energy management' is the title of the lecture by Dr. Dieter Stanislawski from the SL Stanlab testing laboratory for bacteriology and food hygiene, which begins the afternoon. Later in the afternoon, Dr. K. Busch, machinery manufacturers Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik, oxytec and SMC Pneumatik, amongst others, will present their solutions for the efficient use of natural resources and sustainability.
The specialist lectures will be given in either German or English and will be simultaneously translated in each case. There is no charge for admission to the Forum which is open to all trade and professional visitors. It is organised by the dfv Media Group with their specialist publications 'FleischWirtschaft' and 'afz – allgemeine fleischer zeitung', in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt.
'IFFA Talk': how was the first day at the show?
On the evening of the opening day of IFFA, 7 May, there will be a discussion session with some distinguished guests, who will consider the fascinating question 'How was the first day at the show?' An informal panel discussion amongst some of the show's most eminent guests will focus on the personal impressions of the participants and will take that as a starting point from which to look at current issues and challenges in the sector. 'IFFA Talk' is aimed at all exhibitors and visitors and is free of charge. It will take place in the Portalhaus (West Entrance / Hall 11) in the 'Frequenz' room.
'IFFA Kitchen': machines in operation
'IFFA Kitchen' showcases a production line with meat-processing machinery actually in operation. In real, working conditions, food technicians will put on several demonstrations every day, showing the manufacture of 'Fleischkäse' (meat loaf). The finished product can then be sampled immediately at the demonstration. Collaborating in the special demonstration are exhibitors Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, Vemag Maschinenbau GmbH and Rational Großküchentechnik GmbH, who have provided the machinery and equipment for the production line. In addition, the 'IFFA Kitchen' will present, in a clear and easy-to-follow manner, just how far meat-processing technology has developed over the last 150 years. In an accompanying exhibition, old and new production machines will be contrasted with one another. The special exhibition can be found in the Galleria, Level 0, Stand A12.
Highlight full of variety: quality competitions organised by the German Butchers' Association.
The international quality competitions of the German Butcher's Association (Deutscher Fleischer-Verband – DVF) are now a tradition and form a highlight of IFFA's complementary programme. Here, ambitious specialist butchers can measure their products against the international competition in terms of skill and variety as well as quality. The following competitions will be held in the dedicated area in Hall 4.1, Stand B81.
• International Young Butcher Competition: Saturday, 7 May, 9:0 a.m.
• International Quality Competition for Products in Cans and Jars: Sunday, 8 May 10:0 a.m.
• International Quality Competition for Sausage Products: Monday, 9 May, 10:0 a.m.
• Grand Award for the Best Sausage: Tuesday, 10 May, 10:0 a.m.
• Butchering classes show their skills: Wednesday, 11 May, 10:0 a.m.
• International Quality Competition for Ham: Thursday, 12 May, 10:0 a.m.
Further information on the competitions is available from the DFV at: www.fleischerhandwerk.de/iffa
'Trends in the Butcher's Shop – Digitalisation in the Butchery Trade': dedicated exhibition showcases solutions for sales, administration and production
What opportunities does digitalisation offer the meat industry? What changes will affect businesses? These are the questions which the special show 'Trends in the Butcher's Shop – Digitalisation in the Butchery Trade' in Hall 4.1, Stand E10 will address. On show will be digital solutions for sales, office and production. In terms of sales, it is about cash-register systems, automation of sales, online shops and the availability of digital information about the products. For production, it is the networking and control of machines, energy management and product quality that are the major areas of focus. When it comes to the office, then issues such as merchandise management systems, human resources management, general office administration and advertising take centre stage.
'Next Generation – the Cuisine Manufactory': special show presents innovations for butchers' shops
This special display is the result of cooperation between the Heyne-Boddenberg School of Butchery and Messe Frankfurt. This dedicated exhibition shows, in practical demonstrations, how modern products for the butchery trade are created, manufactured and presented. The 'Cuisine Manufactory' in Hall 4.1, Stand D50, offers an overview of the range of products that can be offered by innovative butchers' shops involving meats and sausages, as well as vegetarian and vegan products, and caters for new eating habits. All products are presented in small, ready-prepared portions and are displayed in packaging 'to-go'.
IFFA Job Corner: prospects for the next generation
With the IFFA Job Corner in the Foyer of Hall 11.0, Messe Frankfurt provides support for the next generation and thus helps to put qualified new talent, as well as skilled staff, into contact with the exhibiting companies. The 'Job Corner' also enables exhibitors to display their vacancies for all to see. The job offers can be found both on the 'Job Wall' and on the IFFA website.
Up-to-the-minute information on all elements of the complementary programme can be found at: www.iffa.com under the heading 'Events'.
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is one of the world’s leading trade fair organisers, generating around €645* million in sales and employing 2,297* people. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 29 subsidiaries and 57 international Sales Partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in more than 160 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at more than 40 locations around the globe. In 2015, Messe Frankfurt organised 132* trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Comprising an area of 592,127 square metres, Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres. The historic Festhalle, one of the most popular venues in Germany, plays host to events of all kinds. Messe Frankfurt is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com.
*preliminary figures for 2015