(From left) Mohd Azumi, Khairul and Toh at the opening ceremony of Food and Hotel Malaysia (FHM) 2023. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
THE Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) is hosting the 17th edition of Food and Hotel Malaysia (FHM 2023) exhibition until today.
The opening ceremony was attended by Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan, Informa Markets Malaysia co-chairman Jen (R) Tan Sri Mohd Azumi Mohamed and Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) president Datin Christina Toh.
Khairul Firdaus said besides being a trade exhibition, FHM 2023 “plays a key role in shaping the broader landscape of international business and tourism”.
“It is my hope that Motac and Informa Markets Malaysia will continue to collaborate closely, driving major trade initiatives that solidify Malaysia’s position as a central hub for businesses within Asean.”
The exhibition has seen a 36% surge in international participation among the 1,500 exhibitors and participating brands, surpassing records set in 2019.
Countries include Australia, Belgium, China, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the US are showcasing their nations’ finest food and hospitality offerings in 15 international pavilions.
FHM 2023 expects over 25,000 professionals and trade visitors from over 50 registered countries and regions in KLCC’s 10 halls.
The exhibition welcomed the newly launched Future Hub, featuring inspiring sessions including Feeding The Future Symposium: Nourishing Malaysia’s Tomorrow, a joint collaboration with Impact Circle, and Shaping the Plant-Based Culinary Art with Le Cordon Bleu and Food Waste Management Forum, in collaboration with MAH.
From F&B and Hotel/Restaurant/Cafe (Horeca) to International Pavilions and Hospitality sectors, FHM 2023 includes a number of activities and programmes for visitors such as Culinaire Malaysia 2023, a collaboration between MAH, Professional Culinaire Association and Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association.
Business Breakfast Malaysia, presented together with Saladplate and in collaboration with GlobalData, serves as a meeting ground for visionaries and thought leaders to shape the industry’s trajectory while Housekeeping Malaysia 2023, organised by Malaysian Association of Housekeepers unveils the hidden artistry that lies within the realm of hospitality.
“Central Kitchens – The Future Is Now!” talk by Foodservice Consultants Society International is for innovators in the food-service sector, while other events include Pastry Innovation Lab by Profes-sional Culinaire Association and FHM’s Trend Talk featuring Entwine Consultancy and Sommelier Association of Malaysia.
FHM 2023 also embraces a historic union with the co-location of Hotelex Malaysia, a hospitality exhibition for the Chinese industry, organised by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets.
The exhibition also bore a responsibility to nurture a greener future, with organisers Informa Markets saying it was committed to catalysing positive environmental, social and economic progress across the industry through purposeful collaborations with KLCC and Food Aid Foundation.
Among these initiatives is its first Food Share programme that collects surplus food during FHM 2023.
Mohd Azumi expressed his gratitude for the support from exhibitors and visitors.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to our esteemed exhibitors, sponsors, supporting partners and visitors, who have contributed immensely to the success of this event.
“Your active participation and dedication are the driving forces behind the remarkable success of FHM 2023 and your collective efforts contribute to shaping the future of the food and hospitality industry,” he said.
