KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With hearts brimming with anticipation and excitement, the illustrious 17^th edition of Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM 2023) opened with magnificence today, unveiling a world of gastronomic marvels and hospitality splendour. The 10 halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) have been transformed into a realm of enchantment, captivating trade visitors from far and wide to immerse themselves in an exquisite experience from 19 to 23 September 2023.

FHM has become a beacon of inspiration, a testament to the spirit of the food & hospitality community. A tapestry of 1,500 exhibitors and participating brands are set to take centre stage, with an extraordinary 36% surge in international participation, surpassing the best records set in 2019. The very essence of unity and cultural fusion converges with participation from 15 international pavilions, adding richness and diversity to the event as they showcase their nation's finest food and hospitality offerings. Partaking countries and regions include Australia, Belgium, mainland China, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America.

The vibrant Opening Ceremony honoured the presence of YB Tuan Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Malaysia. His words echoed as he acknowledged the invaluable role that FHM plays in propelling the industry forward, positioning Malaysia as a vibrant hub of culinary and hospitality excellence. It was a poignant moment, a recognition of the collective passion that fuels this extraordinary gathering.

As the air crackles with anticipation, FHM 2023 promises to be a transformative experience, captivating the hearts and minds of over 25,000 professionals and trade visitors from over 50 registered countries and regions to date. With the endless possibilities that await, attendees can enjoy exploring the buzzing exhibition halls, their senses awakened by the symphony of aromas, products and innovations that surround them.

Ten halls, meticulously curated to kindle meaningful interactions between visitors and exhibitors, serve as an avenue for new partnerships to unfold. From F&B and HORECA to International Pavilions and Hospitality sectors, FHM 2023 also welcomes the newly launched Future Hub, a showcase of innovation where sustainable products and solutions illuminate a path towards a brighter tomorrow. This visionary area will feature inspiring sessions including Feeding The Future Symposium: Nourishing Malaysia's Tomorrow, a joint collaboration with Impact Circle; Shaping the Plant-Based Culinary Art with Le Cordon Bleu and Food Waste Management Forum collaborate with Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).

Ybhg. General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Mohd Azumi Bin Mohamed (Rtd), Co-Chairman of Informa Markets Malaysia, expressed his gratitude for the immense support from exhibitors and visitors, stating, "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, and your collective efforts contribute to shaping the future of the food and hospitality industry."

FHM 2023 also embraces a historic union-the co-location of HOTELEX Malaysia, a revered hospitality exhibition for the Chinese industry, organised by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets. This momentous collaboration infuses the event with an extraordinary vitality, welcoming eager exhibitors and brands as part of HOTELEX Malaysia, further enriching the tapestry of experiences for visitors.

FHM 2023 promises to create unforgettable moments. Culinaire Malaysia 2023, a collaboration between the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Professional Culinaire Association (PCA), and the Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA), will ignite the senses, becoming a symphony of culinary excellence; Business Breakfast Malaysia, presented together with Saladplate and in collaboration with GlobalData, will serve as a meeting ground for visionaries and thought leaders, shaping the industry's trajectory; CRAFTED @ FHM 2023, an offering by The Craftsmen Sdn Bhd, presents a specially curated showcase of wines, spirits, and beers; Housekeeping Malaysia 2023, organised by the Malaysian Association of Housekeepers (MAHIR), will unveil the hidden artistry that lies within the realm of hospitality. And amidst it all, Central Kitchens - The Future Is Now!, delivered by the renowned Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), will illuminate the path for innovators in food-service sector; The ever popular Pastry Innovation Lab by Professional Culinaire Association (Malaysia PCA) and FHM's Trend Talk featuring Entwine CSonsultancy, Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY) and others.

But beyond the event highlights, FHM 2023 bears a profound responsibility to nurture a greener future. The organisers, Informa Markets, are committed to catalysing positive environmental, social and economic progress across the industry through purposeful collaborations with Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Food Aid Foundation. Among these initiatives include the first Food Share programme for the collection of surplus food.

FHM 2023, a tapestry woven with passion, dedication, and a shared vision, stands as a testament to the power of unity. It is a celebration of the innovative companies and their industry solutions. With all the dedicated visitors, loyal exhibitors and supporting partners, FHM 2023 is more than just an exhibition-it is a place where connections will be forged, dreams will be nurtured, and the pulse of the industry will beat with a resounding enthusiasm.

About Food & Hotel Malaysia

Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM) is a highly anticipated premier biennial trade-only food and hospitality exhibition that serves as a prominent platform for players in the food and hospitality industry to explore new business opportunities. With its impressive range of thousands of product displays, conference programmes, cooking demonstrations and other exciting activities, FHM has cemented itself as a strong marketplace for exhibitors and visitors alike. Organised by Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa PLC, the largest B2B event organiser in the world, FHM is an event not to be missed for anyone looking to stay on top of industry trends and make valuable connections. For more information on FHM, please visit www.foodandhotel.com.