The 16th Thailand Retail, Food and Hospitality Services Opens in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand, October 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Thailand Retail, Food & Hospitality Services 2022 trade show opened today in Bangkok. In its 16th edition, TRAFS serves as the most effective face to face platform between sellers and buyers, to meet new potentials, to launch new products and services to serve the increasing demands of flourishing food service and hospitality businesses in Thailand and ASEAN region.

The 4-day tradeshow is packed with many unique activities for the professionals to upskill their knowledge, i.e. professional seminars, workshops (food, coffee and bakery), live theater by industry experts, as well as one on one business matching.

The show organized by Kavin Intertrade is unique as it combines three international trade show under one roof, “One-stop-shop: food service, hotel, retail and franchise solutions.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and graced by the following dignitaries:
– Mr. Mohamed Hafiz Md Shariff, Trade Commissioner, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, Matrade,
– Mr. Max Chang Director, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Taitra
– Dato Mike Loh Ming Choon, President, Founder & CEO, ASEAN Retail-Chains and Franchise Federation, Malaysia
– Mr. Michele Tomea, Secretary General of TICC, Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce (TICC)
– Mr. Ha Jeongwon Main Project Manager, The Korea Rice Foodstuffs Association
– Mr. Meechai Amornpathanakul, Chairman of the Barista Association of Thailand
– Mr. Li Feng Chief Representative, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
– Mr. Joo Yong Lee, Managing Director, aT Korea agro trade center Bangkok
– Mr. Thongpoon Duangchompoo, Secretary, Food and Beverage Management Association, Thailand
– Chef Thongliam Pookthong, President The Chef Association Thailand

The first show is the 16th Thailand Retail, Food & Hospitality Services (TRAFS) – Thailand’s Number 1 show of equipment and raw materials for restaurants, cafes, F&B, and food services. The show is an excellent platform for hoteliers, restaurant managers, café owners, and those in food services to purchase or source new equipment and raw material, both food and drinks, from more than 100 Thais & international exhibitors, with more than 7,000 items worldwide.

With the support from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), together with hotel and food industry associations, the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, and leading food schools, the organizer has crafted many unique activities that are free to join so the visitors can get the most out of their visits, such as food and bakery demonstration workshops, barista intensive classes, and food and hotel industry seminars.

“The intention is to help up skills professionals in the industries, thus boosting the industry standard and creating new jobs,” said the Managing Director.

The second show is “ASEAN Retail” – established in 2016, internationally focused; ASEAN Retail is Thailand’s only “Total Retail Platform Solution.” The show is well-positioned as the best show for the retail industry in response to vibrant retail market demand in Thailand, dubbed “Shopping Paradise” in ASEAN. The four-day exhibition is packed with innovations and ideas supporting the retail industry’s high demand.

“In its 7th edition, exhibitors from Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and China, will showcase their retail products in full array from the latest technology to serve the booming e-commerce, and shop fittings such as receipt printer, UV printing, transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting software, artificial intelligence cloud platform, touchscreen displays, POS-CRM & loyalty program, e-money services, power socket, digital technologies for eCommerce businesses and consulting services, etc.”, said Mr. Kavin.

The third show is the 18th Thailand Franchise & Business Opportunities (TFBO) – Thailand’s most significant international franchise trade show. It is well-recognized as the “Most Effective Platform” between franchise brand owners and investors from Thailand, ASEAN, and the global markets. Investors will meet with almost 150 popular franchise brands from Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.S.A., India, etc., covering ten franchise categories from food to drinks, bakery, delivery service, car care, beauty, retail shop, laundromat, vending machines, etc.

“The show offers a great experience exploring new business and investment opportunities. In addition, the four-day exhibition is packed with exciting activities such as business matching and seminars led by industry gurus”. Mr. Kavin mentioned.

Kavin Kittiboonya, Managing Director of Kavin Intertrade Co, Ltd said, “Established in 1999, the company has experienced unprecedented growth and success, acclamations from industry leaders, government agencies, and local and international associations. We are proud to be part of the exhibition industry that generated Bt53 billion and created more than 43,000 jobs yearly.

With over two decades of experience, Kavin Intertrade has managed more than 150 trade shows and owns a portfolio of 10 premium, industry-specific trade, and consumer events.

Based in the heart of Bangkok, the company employs 26 highly experienced and dedicated staff. “The team takes great care of each step from preparation, conceptualization, execution, promotion, and facilitation. Our approach to business is unique, emphasizing local roots and global reach. Our intention is to create energetic, educational, and invigorating environments to achieve business goals of providing a business platform between sellers and buyers,” said the MD.

Other companies’ s own trade shows are:
– Thailand Coffee Tea & Drinks and Thailand Bakery & Ice Cream (16th edition)
The longest international B2B2C show for the rapidly growing coffee, tea, bakery, and confectionery industries in Thailand and ASEAN.

– Khon Kaen Coffee Bakery Ice-cream & Franchise (KICE)
KICE is the largest coffee, bakery, ice cream, and franchise event in the Northeastern region. The B2B2C show is packed with exciting activities throughout the 3-day event, such as workshops, seminars, and business matching.

– Pub and Bar Asia
The only trade show dedicated to the boutique and independent restaurant, pub & bar community in Southeast Asia. The trade show is the go-to platform for hospitality professionals to launch new products, reinforce new contacts with existing customers and explore new opportunities. Back with a robust database of importers/ distributors/ users in Thailand and ASEAN countries to ensure success.

– ASEAN Cold Pharma Chain and ASEAN Logistics & Warehouse
ASEAN Cold Pharma Chain and ASEAN Logistics & Warehouse is a “complete” platform for four key clusters, namely Cold Chain, Cold Pharma Chain, Logistics and Warehouse, to line manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and direct users in the four clusters to meet together.

Some show Managements include;

– Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware Fair (BIG + BIH) 2014 & 2015 (Turnkey Contract)
Project Owner: Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand (DITP)

The company organized, promoted, and executed the big annual international trade fair for DITP on a turnkey contract. The fair serves as the most reputable fair for gifts, and home decor industries are internationally recognized as one of Asia’s most prominent and aesthetic events.

– TEA Webinar Series 2021: Potentials and Outlook of Thailand’s Exhibition (Turnkey Contract)
Project Owner: Thai Exhibition Association (TEA)
The company organized and executed three webinar series for the Thailand Exhibition Association (TEA)*, which served as an online platform to connect Thai exhibition organizers and related parties and share their best practices, experiences, and visions with participants.

The topics covered international market trends and perspectives, Thailand’s opportunities during Covid-19, and Thailand’s economic recovery.

– World Tea and Coffee Expo (Turnkey Contract)
Project Owner: Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) – TCEB

The World Tea and Coffee Expo: The 2nd Tea and Coffee International Symposium is the largest tea and coffee event in northern Thailand, under the theme of “From Local to Global.” The exposition brought together 50 exhibitors, both Thais and international. In addition, trade buyers and visitors will meet the leading manufacturers, distributors, importers, and suppliers covering the whole supply chain.

The event was divided into four essential parts; symposium, trade show, business matching, and familiarization trip to promote tea and coffee as incentive routes, to pave the way for Northern Thailand as a global hub for coffee and tea production, trade, investment, and tourism.

Thailand has a strong position to be the exhibition hub of ASEAN; with its strategic location in the heartland of Southeast Asia and ASEAN, Thailand offers exhibitors a strong advantage for tapping wider markets beyond the country.