The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau has announced it will hold FOODEX JAPAN, the largest culinary convention in Asia, at the INTEX Osaka international exhibition center from 14 to 16 July 2021.
This is the first time FOODEX JAPAN has been held in Osaka in 16 years with the event expected to attract 400 booths from 230 companies, with 10,000 buyers in attendance.
As Japan looks to develop its roadmap out of COVID-19, Osaka has now locked in three major conventions for 2021 including Tourism EXPO Japan and Osaka Motor Show.
Hiroshi Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, described FOODEX JAPAN as “the World Cup of food and a big event.
“We started bidding for it three years ago and they’ve finally decided,” he said. “This is a breakthrough and I believe it will lead to passion and excitement for the Osaka/Kansai Expo in 2025. The period will overlap with the Tokyo Olympics and we anticipate some synergy with accommodation and hospitality.”
The Tourism Expo will be the second in Osaka since 2019.
Yoshikazu Tanaka, MICE Policy Director of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, stated, “Osaka’s branding power is on the rise, so it was more like the city was selected rather than bidding. I would like to make three mega exhibitions successful, including the Osaka Motor Show, and revitalize Osaka further toward the Expo and IR.”