For the past six decades, SIAL Paris has stood as the world’s largest and most influential food exhibition, and this 19-23 October, the trade fair returns to Paris-Nord Villepinte for a celebratory 60th anniversary edition.
Some 285,000 visitors hailing from more than 200 countries are set to be in attendance at SIAL Paris 2024, along with some 7,500 exhibitors, at what is certain to be one of the unmissable events of the agri-food trade calendar.
Bringing together industry professionals from across the globe, SIAL Paris 2024 will serve as a melting pot for ideas, innovations and discussions that shape the future of the food industry, offering even more “business, discovery and inspiration,” according to Audrey Ashworth, event director of SIAL Paris.
To order your badge for SIAL Paris 2024, click here, or if you are an exhibitor looking to book a space at the show, click here.
Own The Change
At the heart of SIAL Paris 2024 is the theme ‘Own the Change’, a call to action for all stakeholders in the food industry to embrace the myriad changes facing the sector, including climate change, supply chain disruptions, and technological advancements.
Over the five days of SIAL Paris, participants will be encouraged to explore and adopt new approaches across four pivotal areas, including corporate social responsibility (CSR), deep tech and artificial intelligence (AI), supply chain resilience, and the rise of Africa as a key player in the global food market.
These themes will be addressed by the new SIAL Summits, a series of deep-dive events that will enable attendees to understand their immediate impact and consider solutions to meet the challenges of the future.
New Features At SIAL Paris 2024
SIAL Paris 2024 is not just a celebration of the past – it’s also a showcase of the future of the food industry. This year’s edition introduces a variety of new features developed to enhance the experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.
SIAL Innovation
One of the most anticipated new features is an expanded SIAL Innovation programme, which serves as a global observatory for food innovation. Partnering with ProtéinesXTC, SIAL Innovation reviews thousands of applications from exhibitors worldwide, recognising those that are pushing the boundaries of food innovation.
This year, SIAL Innovation will introduce four new special awards, including the 60 Years Award, acknowledging the best innovation among all winners of the competition since its inception; the Top 3 Countries Award, which will highlight the individual countries with the most innovative products; the Africa Award, which will be presented to the most innovative African company in the agri-food sector; and the Concept Award, recognising the most impactful early-stage innovations.
The SIAL Innovation Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards – a not-to-be-missed event at the show – will take place on 19 October between 4pm and 6pm, on the SIAL Talks stage, in Hall 5A.
SIAL Start-Up
Building on the success of its first edition in 2022, SIAL Start-Up returns in 2024 with even greater ambitions, hosting 150 foodtech start-ups from around the world, making it the largest food laboratory of its kind.
For the first time, SIAL Start-Up, which is being undertaken in partnership with Sesame and the Sprint Project, will also feature early-stage projects, giving visitors a glimpse into the future of food technology.
SIAL For Change
SIAL Paris 2024 is committed to promoting CSR initiatives that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the food industry. The new SIAL for Change competition will highlight exhibitors who are leading the way in CSR, showcasing innovative strategies and products that contribute to a more sustainable and ethical food industry.
The SIAL for Change Awards will be presented during a ceremony on 22 October, recognising the best business initiatives in CSR across five key areas: management and coordination, responsible innovation, inclusion and diversity, consumer health, and sustainable practices.
Applicants will be assessed by a panel made up of food industry professionals with a proven awareness of CSR, as well as consultants from the Hyssop agency, industry experts, and journalists.
The special ‘CSR Tour’ route will also take place during the show, enabling visitors to discover the award-winning companies and learn more about their approaches to sustainability.
SIAL Jobs
Recognising the challenges of talent acquisition in the food industry, SIAL Paris 2024 introduces SIAL Jobs, a new initiative aimed at connecting companies with top talent.
In partnership with HelloWork, SIAL Jobs will offer a digital platform for exhibitors to present job opportunities and preselect candidates ahead of the show.
The initiative will also feature a dedicated exhibition space where ARIA (France’s Regional Association for Food Industries) and the EIT Food Innovation Accelerator will come together to showcase their recruitment initiatives and engage in discussions with potential candidates.
SIAL Talks
SIAL Paris 2024 will once again serve as a platform for thought leadership, with a robust programme of talks set to inspire and inform.
The SIAL Talks stage, in Hall 5A, will host a series of presentations and discussions on the latest trends and developments in the food industry. Topics will range from the impact of AI on food production to the role of CSR in shaping the future of food.
How To Get To SIAL Paris 2024
Travelling by Train
SIAL Paris takes place at the Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte, which is located just five minutes from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport if travelling by train. Simply take the RER B train (direction Paris) and get off at the first stop, Parc des Expositions.
To reach SIAL Paris from Orly Airport, take the Orlyval light metro, change at Antony and take the RER B (direction Roissy-Charles de Gaulle), before alighting at the Parc des Expositions stop. Travel time is approximately 50 minutes.
Travellers by train are recommended to purchase their RER return tickets in the morning to avoid queues at the ticket desks during the evening when the exhibition concludes. The Parc des Expositions de Villepinte station is situated on line B of the RER, and it requires payment for Zone 4, which is outside the centre of Paris, Ile de France. Note that Metro tickets are not applicable for travel on the RER to Parc des Expositions.
Travelling by Shuttle Bus
There are also a number of shuttle buses running throughout the day, linking Paris city centre with the fair. These operate from Paris Montparnasse station and from Paris Porte Maillot, running directly to the Parc des Expositions.
Buses leave both locations every ten minutes between 7.30am and 11.30am, while return buses leave every ten minutes from 3pm to 8.30pm.
Travelling by Car/Taxi
For those traveling by car from Paris, take either the A1 or A3 motorways and then the A104 slip road, heading towards Soissons. Follow the signage for Parc des Expositions. In case of traffic on the A1, consider taking the Le Bourget exit and reaching the Parc via the N2, N370, and CD40 roads.
If coming from Paris Bercy, Orly, or the A6 motorway, use the A4, then the A86 and A3 motorways. If the A6 junction is congested, proceed to the A104 and take the Parc des Expositions exit.
Travellers from Roissy and Lille should take the A1, followed by the A104 motorways, and then take the Parc des Expositions exit. For those coming from Nancy/Metz, take the A4 and then the A104 motorways, finally exiting at Parc des Expositions.
For those travelling by taxi, a taxi station is located on the esplanade and the main entrance hall of the exhibition.
More information can be found at www.sialparis.com.
