Host Milano, the biennial trade show featuring the newest trends in coffee and hospitality, is this weekend. We’ll be on the floor ready to bring you the most exciting new products and coffee gadgets!
BY ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos courtesy of Host Milano
There is no event like Host Milano, a biennial trade show that brings together vendors from across all food and hospitality industries in Milan, Italy. This year’s event, which will take place from October 20-24, touts itself as being the biggest incarnation yet—that’s a lot to say for a show that takes up a whole street block. And if you think you’ve seen impressive trade show booths, get ready for the booths at Host; vendors regularly debut new products at the show, and they do it with grandeur and style.
Host will feature products and events from over 2,000 businesses encompassing various fields of food, beverage, and hospitality. While we might get distracted by the rows of ice cream machines and pizza ovens, Host will have two exhibit halls dedicated solely to coffee. Look for big hitters like La Marzocco, Compak, and Dalla Corte to have impressive booths and maybe release a new product or two; that’s a common occurrence at Host, where companies want to reach an international audience of retailers, roasters, and coffee enthusiasts. “Host is the perfect marketplace where Italian and international manufacturers can present their technological innovations and trends in the hospitality industry,” shares Simona Greco, the art, fashion, hospitality & travel exhibitions director of Host’s parent company, Fiera Milano.
When you’re not getting lost in a sea of coffee brewers and bread bakers, you can also attend one of the 500 workshops and demonstrations taking place. Host Milano will also be the site for the Cake Designers World Championship and the World Trophy of Pastry, Ice Cream, and Chocolate. Host will also continue its tradition of hosting the European Pizza Championships, which will bring 60 pizza makers from all over Europe to see who can dish out the tastiest crust and build the perfect pizza.
Coffee competitions will also be prominently featured, including latte art competitions, coffeehouse battles, and a competition to crown the 2017 Espresso Italiano Champion. World Coffee Events and Hub Coffee Science will also be on-hand to lead workshops about the history of coffee, as well as encourage discussion and exploration of the role of technology in the advancement of coffee.
Barista Magazine will be at Host Milano, bringing you the talks, tastes, and trends you want to know about. Check our website next week for a rundown of our favorite booths and exhibits!
