PUNTOITALY N°1 -January - June 2012

13 THE ITALIAN MAGAZINE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS IN GELATO, CONFECTIONERY AND TRENDY FOOD-AND-DRINK at the same time consolidating the presence of operators from those areas which are traditionally strongly represented. In this regard we are set- ting up development initiatives in other countries that are geographi- cally distant, such as countries in the Gulf (Qatar, Dubai) and Australia. What steps have been taken to promote the Exhibition abroad? Particular attention has been paid to the countries of eastern Europe. We have undertaken specific promotional work in Slovenia and Croatia, and we were present at the 7th edition of Conbak in Belgrade, to extend our promotional work also to the important market of Serbia and the other countries of ex-Yugoslavia. At the end of June there were meetings with gelatiers and operators at Mannheim and Bochum, in collab- oration with Uniteis; and other meetings were held in Sep- tember at Munich and Vienna. These were all very important occasions, since over recent years the situation for Italian gelato abroad has undergone some radical changes, and Mig must take account of these. It is enough to think of the length of the season, which in many cases now continues until the end of November - except where it actually lasts the whole year round, for those operating in large commercial centres. What has been the trend in the artisan gelato market over recent years? The 2010 season concluded on an upward trend, and in the first half of 2011 equally encouraging signs have arrived from all over Europe, beginning with Germany. Confirmation of this has also come from Austria, the Netherlands and Italy. • Name: Mostra internazionale del ge- lato artigianale-International Artisan Gelato Exhibition Set up in: 1959 Place where held: Longarone, Italy Goods exhibited: products, raw materials and semi-finished products for artisan ge- lato, equipment and accessories for the pre- paration and sale of artisan gelato, internal and external furniture for gelato outlets and cafés, promotional material Website: www.mostradelgelato.com Identikit of Mig hospitality training institutes from all over Italy, and through initia- tives aimed at recognising the profession of gelato makers in formal training programmes. To this end, a conference is being organised in collaboration with the Educational Office of the Re- gional Authority of the Veneto. Thanks to the collaboration with Martino Liuzzi’s Pro 2 Ma.Ri, which has been recon- firmed, the importance of gelato in hospital nutrition will also be explored, while this year too the “Gelato flavour of the year” will be chosen. There are numerous competitions for professionals, among them the 42nd edition of the Gold Cup competition, which this year sees competitors vie one with another to produce a traditional flavour such as hazelnut, and a competition for Gelato on the Web, which offers a prize for the best internet site for gelato outlets. What countries produce the greatest number of visitors? Besides the historically important countries such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, the 2010 edi- tion also saw the arrival of gelato makers from China, Colum- bia, Ecuador, Egypt and Japan. The objective of Longarone Fiere is to increase the attendance from emerging countries,