Vitafoods closed its doors on Thursday after a three-day event which saw few product innovations, but a strong focus on science. Organisers IIR Exhibitions, who only took over around nine months ago, also announced the first Vitafoods China, with a date set for September in Beijing next year.
With a seminar theatre in the heart of the exhibition floor, the Vitacos theatre, and a regularly packed Leatherhead-run conference, there was enough science to keep most people happy last week. On the visitor front however, some exhibitors found the show floor too empty.
"We are really disappointed with the attendance," said Steven Dentali, sales manager at Italian firm Chemi.
For others, the quality was more than adequate. "We thought the quality of the visitors was really good, especially the first two days," said Susanne Faessler, communications director at Swiss firm Flachsmann.
Nicola Mason, show director, said that attendance had improved on last year. "We are really happy with the event. Attendance was up by around 30 per cent on last year," she said.
There were slightly fewer exhibitors, largely due to the absence of the Chinese companies - around 20 dropped out at the last minute because of problems getting visas to Switzerland.
"We aren't sure what happened but I think the Swiss authorities refused most visa applications from Chinese companies," said Mason.
The growth in functional beverages was reflected in the launch of water-soluble ingredients, such as Kemin's soluble FloraGlo lutein and ADM's clear vitamin E, but people looking for a boost to their immune system had the widest choice of possible solutions, whether it was Loders Croklaan's Safflorin CLA, WGP beta-glucan marketed by SiberHegner, or Rhodia Food's probiotic FloraFit range.
The conference was again too far from the show floor, but for next year, the show moves to Hall 1 with a conference in the same building. The Vitacos section, focusing on cosmeceuticals, will also be back after a promising start.
Dr Zohar Nir, science director at LycoRed, which makes the lycopene for new Inneov cosmeceuticals, said of this year's Vitacos: "There weren't many people there, but you never know if one of the few people there could be a good contact. And I'm always happy to present and promote research."
"It's an added bonus to visitors and exhibitors. We're not trying to move into cosmetics, there are enough shows for that industry, but many of the companies here are also supplying cosmetic companies so it seems reasonable," said Mason.
The launch of the China event has been driven mainly by the country's entry to the WTO, and it has offered protection of intellectual property. Import tariffs will also be reduced by 60 per cent for pharmaceuticals.
"This will be a small show, but with high-level and carefully chosen participants," explained Mason.
Denzil Philips is organising the conference, which is set to include government backing and a strong focus on regulatory issues.