SIGEP World 2026 puts gelato, pizza and future foodservice concepts in the spotlight - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

From 16 January, SIGEP World returns to the Rimini Expo Centre for five days, positioning foodservice at the heart of its 2026 edition. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the event will bring together around 1,300 brands across 30 halls, alongside some of the world’s most renowned pastry chefs, to explore how gelato, pizza, bars and hospitality concepts are evolving on a global scale.

Special projects as a lens on transformation

According to Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group, SIGEP World 2026 will tell the story of sector-wide change through a series of curated special projects and thematic platforms designed to connect products, supply chains and business models. Marco Carniello, IEG’s Chief Business Officer, describes these platforms as key narratives for the industry’s future, ranging from Luxury Hotel Food Experience and Sustainability District to Innovation Bar, Gelato Meets Chains and Pizza (R)evolution. Flavia Morelli, Head of IEG’s Food & Beverage Division, adds that the focus extends from food’s role in high-end hospitality to the evolution of bar concepts, sustainable supply chains and the strategies of international chains.

Gelato and pizza as global growth drivers

At SIGEP World 2026, gelato is presented not only as an icon of Italian craftsmanship, but as a strategic lever for international foodservice. The Gelato Meets Chains platform addresses restaurant, hotel, coffee shop and bakery chains, highlighting how artisanal, soft and frozen gelato can be integrated into global menus and scalable concepts.

Pizza takes centre stage with Pizza (R)evolution, which frames the product as both a cultural symbol and an industrial platform. The focus spans ingredients and flours, technologies, ovens and equipment, as well as service formats and solutions tailored to independent operators and international chains alike.

Food shaping premium hospitality

Food and beverage are increasingly decisive in defining the identity of luxury hotels. Through Luxury Hotel Food Experience, SIGEP World 2026 will showcase case studies illustrating how breakfast concepts, catering and events contribute to brand positioning and guest perception in high-end hospitality environments.

Sustainability and the bar of the future

The Sustainability District will provide a space for international dialogue, with in-depth analysis of cocoa and coffee supply chains, emerging technologies and case studies from across the food industry. The aim is to foster networking among producers, cooperatives, institutions and companies committed to more sustainable practices.

Innovation Bar, meanwhile, looks ahead to the future of bar culture, examining how technology and professional expertise intersect to reshape workflows, guest interaction and beverage concepts.

With its mix of global brands, specialised platforms and strategic themes, SIGEP World 2026 positions itself as a key meeting point for professionals seeking to understand where gelato, pizza, hospitality and foodservice are heading next.

Image Credit: © Italian Exhibition Group