SANA RESTART

RESULTS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS AT SANA RESTART
FOR THE ORGANIC SECTOR, THE RECOVERY IS ALREADY UNDER WAY

Bologna, 12th October 2020 – There were more than 10,000 in attendance at the event organised by BolognaFiere, in collaboration with FederBio and AssoBio, with the support of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Tourism Policy, the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Land and Sea, the Bologna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Craft and Agriculture and the Bologna Provincial Order of Agronomists and Foresters.

The first in-person event to take place at the Bologna Exhibition centre following the Covid-19 lockdown, SANA RESTART confirmed its credentials as a reference point for professional operators and a public passionate about natural and organic products who did not want to miss an event that this year chose to focus on the key role of sustainability in driving the economic recovery.

The second edition of THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION, the General Overview of the Organic Sector involved organisations, institutions and companies and provided a picture of the prospects for the market in light of the commitments of the European Green Deal.

“It was important to take the first step and with SANA RESTART we have managed to do that. For BolognaFiere and for everyone involved, choosing to reopen meant taking on an important responsibility: to the market that needs an opportunity – and not just a symbolic one – to power the recovery and, in the case of the professional operators and visitors that have been attending for more than 30 years, a responsibility to provide the best possible conditions in terms of safety for the recommencement of in-person activities. We can claim to be very satisfied with the results that SANA RESTART enabled the companies to achieve, providing substance to the business community’s determination to drive the recovery,” said Gianpiero Calzolari, president of BolognaFiere.

The success of the event was ample reward for our decision to entrust the role of forerunner in opening in-person events to the natural and organic sector, which is strategic for the economy and decisive for the country’s sustainable development policies. In spite of the consequences of the lockdown, the sector presented to the Fair data confirming its significant growth. Organically farmed land now makes up 15.8% of total agricultural land, sales of organic products in the domestic market in 2020 (year ending August 2020) exceeded 4.3 billion euros, while also recording constant growth was the number of households that purchase organic products (88% of Italian households purchased at least one organic product in 2020).

SANA RESTART opened with the second edition of THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION, the General Overview of the Organic Sector, promoted by BolognaFiere in collaboration with FederBio and AssoBio and the organisational secretary of Nomisma. During the event, which began with a speech by Teresa Bellanova, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policy, representatives of Italian and international companies, organisations and institutions discussed the opportunities relating to the commitments made at European level with the Green Deal. Alongside the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 are the goals of the Farm to Fork initiative, which aims for 25% of all farmland to be used for organic farming by 2030 and the use of pesticides and antibiotics to be halved by that same year.

Events and initiatives at SANA RESTART
SANA RESTART also included events organised in collaboration with historic partners of the Fair such as FederBio, AssoBio, the Cosmetici in Erboristeria di Cosmetica Italia Group, Assoerbe and SISTE, which promoted one of the most successful initiatives of this edition. The initiative in question was La via delle erbe, created by SISTE in collaboration with ALTEA, the association of herbal remedy technicians at the University of Turin and with BolognaFiere, with the aim of introducing the public, through an illustrated pathway, to the world of medicinal plants and spices that have been used by man for nutritional or health purposes for thousands of years, and that today more than ever, in light of current scientific knowledge, can offer numerous applications and functions. The theme selected for 2020 was particularly well received: “The Golden Herbs”: ginkgo biloba, helichrysum, saffron and turmeric.

SANA RESTART also launched the Free From Hub, dedicated to the presentation of trends and new innovations in the free-from segment. Initiatives included the presentation of the seventh edition of the World Gluten Free Beer Award, the world’s only accolade dedicated exclusively to gluten free beer, organised by Nonsologlutine in collaboration with the Free From Hub. The initiative, which saw the introduction of a new award category for the Best Organic Beer, also acknowledged the emergence of a new term “organic & free from”, a growing trend in the sector of drinks and particularly common among craft beers.

Another partnership was launched this year with Slow Food that presented a Slow Food Manifesto for good, clean and just wine to identify the key aspects for sustainable viticulture and winemaking that respects the “terroir”, according to a modern vision of the role of winemaker not only as a producer of wine but also as an active driver of an agriculture that promotes cultural, economic, social and ethical growth as well as harmony with the land. Outlining the idea of the Manifesto were expert agronomists, architects and sociologists, as well as Italian and foreign vigneron.

On the topic of wine, there were also extremely positive results for the first edition of the Bio Wine Festival, an event organised in partnership with SANA RESTART at the Volvo Congress Centre at Bologna Congressi: two days of tastings and meetings to discover the best examples of Italian excellence in organic, biodynamic, natural and vegan production. An event with a strong educational imprint organised the exhibitors based on their production methods in such a way as to offer the numerous visitors a captivating sensorial experience boosted by cultural support of the highest level. The exhibition was flanked by four meetings, led by professionals or international renown, to take an in-depth look at further facets of organic wines: organic sparkling wines, biodynamic wines, organic wines and natural wines.

The three days of the event laid the foundations for next year’s edition, which will take place in September 2021 with some specific preview events taking place in advance, such as the initiative SANA Organic Tea (organised in partnership with the In-Tè association). The initiative will enable participants to boost their knowledge of the product, its relevance and its thousands of years of culture that are also expressed in intriguing ceremonies relating to its consumption.

SANA 2021 is scheduled to take place in Bologna from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September.

THE WORLD OF NATURAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS RECOMMENCES WITH SANA RESTART

The event will drive the revival of the sector with a format “in complete safety” The new layout will involve pavilions 31, 32, 33 and 35 of the Bologna Exhibition Centre and will provide the visiting public with two different entrance points for the event

Excellent trends concerning participation numbers, including the confirmation of some leading companies in the Food, Care & Beauty and Green Lifestyle sectors

SANA RESTART opens with the second edition of THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION, the overview of the Organic market

Huge opportunities for exhibitors at the event, including the SIMEST financing for participation in international trade fairs in Italy

Three days, from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, and three themed areas Food, Care & Beauty and Green Lifestyle, at SANA RESTART that will be organised in pavilions 31, 32, 33, 35 and the Service Centre of the Bologna Exhibition Centre. The recovery of the Italian market for organic and natural products is set to begin at its acknowledged reference event in Bologna.

A new layout will welcome professional operators and visitors alike, with an organisation in spaces managed to ensure the safety of the first event to be taking place in person following the pandemic emergency. Pavilions 31, 32, 33,35 and the Service Centre at BolognaFiere will be the new location for SANA RESTART. Alongside its consolidated standards in terms of service, the event will provide two different entrance points – Sud-Moro and Ovest-Costituzione – that have been made available to improve the management of visitor flows. Both entrances are connected via public transport links to the railway station, the city and the airport – a huge plus for a public that is particularly sensitive to issues of sustainable mobility.
The four pavilions will enable, moreover, the utmost flexibility in the arrangement of trade categories at the event for Food, Care & Beauty and Green Lifestyle products and services.

Safety at the top of the agenda
Business, networking and safety are at the centre of the new BolognaFiere project, in which the company is committed to taking important action to support the recovery of companies in the sector with SANA RESTART. The safety of operators and visitors will be ensured through a protocol and procedures implemented by BolognaFiere that will enable the recommencement of exhibition activities in complete safety thanks to a special format and logistical solutions designed to ensure social distancing, avoid excessive gatherings of people and safeguard the health of everyone involved.

The effectiveness of the precautionary measures will involve: the purchase of tickets (indicating the day of attendance) exclusively online through the event website. This procedure will enable the organisers to eliminate the risk of excessive concentrations of people at the ticket offices and enable accurate control and planning of expected visitor numbers.

On the safety front, every space at the exhibition site will be subject to specific attention. Among the many actions will be: the sanitisation of spaces used prior to opening each day, temperature checks of all participants using infrared cameras; the wearing of face masks as a condition for accessing the event; the widespread availability of sanitising gels; the presence of Wi-Fi control room systems to identify the areas with greater concentrations of people; great attention to air recycling and the hygiene/sanitisation of the spaces; management of the café’s and catering in such a away as to ensure distancing also with new services for booking slots online and catering delivered to the stands.

Showing a marked appreciation for the approach formulated by BolognaFiere are the exhibitors, who have been subscribing in great numbers to attend SANA RESTART: companies’ confidence in the event and demand to take part have grown, with attendees including important market leaders confirming a general climate of revival and a determination to meet, in person, with the sector’s business community.

New partnerships, new appointments, important confirmations Slow Food, FederBio and BolognaFiere have signed a strategic agreement to make further business tools available to companies, enabling SANA RESTART to intercept an important segment of the public: activists and those associated with the Slow Food movement that also shares values, such as the attention towards sustainability and the environment, that at SANA find ample and acknowledged space.

THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION, the overview of the organic market in Bologna
The initiative, promoted by BolognaFiere in collaboration with FederBio/AssoBio and with the organisational secretary of Nomisma, returns this year on the opening day of the event with a second edition dedicated to discussions between institutions, key players in the market and experts in the sector on important themes, such as protecting the environment, climate change and biodiversity, in light of the European Green Deal and the health emergency.
The ORGANIC REVOLUTION event will also see the presentation of the eagerly anticipated SANA 2020 Observatory, the tool that monitors the key numbers from the organic sector, from production to market size. The Observatory is promoted by BolognaFiere and curated by Nomisma, with the support of FederBio, AssoBio and the support of the Italian Trade Agency.

Great opportunities for exhibitors at SANA RESTART with the option of accessing SIMEST financing for participation in international trade fair events in Italy
As part of the interventions established relating to the recovery of the Italian trade fair sector and connected measures to support SMEs, the decree extending finance at subsidised rates has been confirmed also for participation at international trade fairs, like SANA, which take place in Italy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation – Decree 11 June 2020 – Extension to Countries of the European Union of the operations of the fund 394/81. (20A04004) – GU General series n. 188 of 28-07-2020.
The initiative offers particularly advantageous conditions, including: SIMEST financing (currently 0.085%, equivalent to 10% of the EU reference rate), a financeable sum of up to 150,000 euros per initiative; cover that can reach 100% of expenses per exhibition, logistics, promotion and consultancy area connected to participation in trade fairs and exhibitions; a duration of 4 years of which the first year is repayment-free. It will be possible to obtain up to 40% as a funding grant, therefore a substantial “discount” on the cost of participation in SANA RESTART 2020.
Furthermore, the request for finance, which must concern one single initiative, can be repeated for other event as long as they respect the maximum set limits; the finance can be activated also in combination with measures provided by local institutions (Regional authorities, Chambers of Commerce etc.) for eventual costs not contemplated by the latter but covered by the SIMEST offer. The compilation and presentation of the request can be made directly online through the SIMEST portal (www.sacesimest.it) beginning from 6 August 2020.

All the details are available at: https://www.simest.it/partecipazione-a-fiere-e-mostre

From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October BolognaFiere is bringing the world of natural and organic products together in Bologna for the event SANA RESTART

Bologna, Italy – May 2020

RIVOLUZIONE BIO: the second edition of the Overview of the Organic sector scheduled for 9 October

The Covid-19 emergency has had a profound impact on the national and international economic landscape, resulting in a slowdown and, in some cases, a complete halt to business activities. Such a scenario has also involved the trade fair system that has been forced to suspend and reschedule events due to the global lockdown. BolognaFiere has responded by identifying, for each of its events and business sectors, the best solutions to kick-start economic activity, starting with its knowledge of the strengths of our businesses and industries but also an awareness of the difficulties that the pandemic has caused.

With the aim of supporting the recovery, the Company has, first of all, introduced a protocol that includes a series of initiatives created to facilitate the reopening of exhibition and trade fair activities, to support businesses, in conditions of complete safety using logistical solutions designed to prevent risky gatherings and to guarantee social distancing thanks to innovative formats suited to the current situation.

Also, for the world of organic and natural products, which over more than 30 years has seen Bologna become the reference exhibition platform for the national and international community, BolognaFiere has developed a specific recovery project to provide support and boost visibility for operators in the sector.

With these objectives in mind, and for a wider reflection on the importance of the sector both from an economic perspective and also considering the growing attention towards the environment, the world of organic and natural products is due to come together in Bologna for the event SANA RESTART from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October. These three days have been planned to meet the requirements of businesses that need to recommence in complete safety following the pandemic.

The discussion forum that will get the event under way will be the second edition of RIVOLUZIONE BIO (THE ORGANIC REVOLUTION), the SANA initiative launched in 2019 that returns this year with a series of themed round table discussions involving experts and key players from the sector. RIVOLUZIONE BIO is organised by BolognaFiere in collaboration with FederBio/Assobio and, once again this year, will benefit from the support of the Office of the Organisational Secretary of Nomisma.
The General Overview of the Organic Sector, which in its first edition in 2019 concluded with the presentation of the “2030 Organic Manifesto” compiled by institutions and associations, will offer a forum for discussions that have been made even more relevant by the Covid-19 emergency that has further highlighted the importance of respect for, and protection of, the environment.

The RIVOLUZIONE BIO will also include the presentation of the 2020 SANA Observatory – promoted by BolognaFiere, curated by Nomisma with the support of Federbio and Assobio and the support of the Italian Trade Agency – that monitors the key statistics concerning the organic production chain, from production to market dimensions.

Among the planned appointments is the convention organised by Gruppo Cosmetici in Erboristeria di Cosmetica Italia scheduled for Saturday 10 October. The event will provide an in-depth examination of the sector of natural and organic cosmetics. The demand for natural products is reflecting a growing trend in the world of cosmetics: furthermore, numerous consumers are prioritising sustainable solutions when it comes to their choice of beauty products or personal care items, in line with the growing attention to the environment.

The most pertinent issues and topics will be at the heart of the RIVOLUZIONE BIO 2020 event as well as other appointments scheduled between 9 and 11 October: all will be developed with the aim of offering new interpretations and transferable indications about business strategy and the daily habits of consumers that are increasingly aware of the importance of individual behaviour and the sound use of resources for the future of the planet.

An event packed with opportunities
Numerous trends and developments from the world of organic and natural products will have opportunities for in-depth examination and discussion at SANA RESTART; among the new Focus sessions already announced to the business community are: medicinal plants and spices, Free-from products and Tea.

La via delle erbe (The herb road) is the initiative focusing on the use of medicinal plants, which have always been a key element of natural cosmetics and health products. Starting in 2020 a multi-year programme of initiatives will focus attention on the benefits, the current regulations and the relevant topics concerning these precious allies for beauty and health. Organised in collaboration with SISTE (the Italian Society for Science Applied to Medicinal Plants and Health Products), each year La via delle Erbe will propose a particular focus. In 2020 this focus will be on “the golden herbs”: Ginkgo biloba, helichrysum, turmeric and saffron. Also in collaboration with SISTE, a historic partner of SANA, BolognaFiere will create a new tool for professional operators: an Observatory that will analyse data concerning production, commercialization and consumption of medicinal plants, in terms of raw materials, the production of foods (for humans and animals), food supplements, homeopathic and cosmetic products. Also on the topic of herbs and health is a moment of in-depth discussion dedicated to plants with effects on the immune system, curated by ASSOERBE.

Also arousing significant interest is the space dedicated to free-from products that respond to the requirements of consumers with intolerances and allergies. These products are developed to specifically exclude certain ingredients that consumers may wish to avoid for various reasons. Becoming increasingly widespread, in fact, are products made without gluten or lactose, alongside a growing trend for products free-from various ingredients such as eggs, salt, yeast and certain common allergens. The theme will be discussed as part of the new initiative, the Free From Hub that has immediately stimulated the curiosity and interest of professional operators from across the sector.

Another new feature of this edition will be SANA Organic Tea (an initiative created in collaboration with InTE’) dedicated to a product that is becoming increasingly popular. The best of the ranges of organic tea products will be made available by operators who will be able to expand their knowledge of this versatile beverage and its infinite uses (from breakfast, dinner and snacks to refreshments for meetings). Tea in Italy is the food&beverage product with the highest growth in the sector, +22% forecast from now to 2022, and generates a total revenue of 350 million euros (source: Euromonitor).

Organics the protagonist of the leading distribution channels
To meet the growing demand for organic products, the Italian grocery retail sector is increasingly incorporating them into its product ranges, also offering private label ranges. In 5 years the revenues from organic products in the grocery retail sector have doubled and in the first nine months of 2019 organicecological ranges contributed 7.7% with a growth rate of 8% (source: IRI). This trend has been further highlighted by the Covid-19 emergency that has led to the superior performance of organic products compared with traditional products. This recognition, also by new categories of consumer, derives from the perceived quality and safety of the organic production chain that is the arguably best expression of national agricultural production and the transformation of food products. Today Italy is the European leader for organics with more than 68,000 farmers and more than 10,000 companies that transform products that are the best testimonial of food excellence in our country and its heritage of local food and wine specialities.

Safety is the event’s leitmotiv
Exhibitors and operators attending the event will be able to concentrate on the focus points of interest and their commercial aspects, secure in the knowledge that BolognaFiere will ensure the utmost safety of the spaces in which the event will take place. All phases of the event, from preparation and assembly to the exhibition and visitor attendance, are being analysed in detail to establish formats and procedures capable of ensuring the highest safety standards for Bologna between 9 and 11 October.

The issue of health and safety has always been a priority for BolognaFiere, which was the first exhibition centre to receive the 18001 safety certification. This know-how has been used to finalise the safety measures and procedures. Obviously, given that the current situation is so dynamic, our existing plans will be updated immediately in response to any new indications that may be issued by the relevant authorities. Each aspect of the exhibition will take place with a particular attention to sanitisation, distancing, the creation of pathways and spaces that enable the activities to take place in full safety during the phases of assembling the stands and exhibition spaces through to their dismantling at the conclusion of the event. Without entering into detail, the spaces will all be sanitised prior to daily opening and the temperature of all users will be measured at gateways equipped with infrared TV cameras. Face masks will be obligatory, sanitising gels will be available throughout, Wi-Fi control room systems will identify the areas where greater numbers of people appear to be gathering, great attention will also be paid to the recycling of air and the hygiene/sanitisation of the spaces, the catering will be managed to enable distancing also offering new services to take orders online, organise user slots and provide catering at the stands.

Planning: a priority requirement
The Covid-19 emergency, which has led to the postponement to 2021 of numerous events originally scheduled for 2020, has further highlighted the need for advanced planning when it comes to participating in trade fair events.

With this in mind BolognaFiere has already announced the dates for SANA 2021: the International Exhibition and Conference for the Organic and Natural sector, which is due to take place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September 2021.

Safety is the event’s leitmotiv
Exhibitors and operators attending the event will be able to concentrate on the focus points of interest and their commercial aspects, secure in the knowledge that BolognaFiere will ensure the utmost safety of the spaces in which the event will take place. All phases of the event, from preparation and assembly to the exhibition and visitor attendance, are being analysed in detail to establish formats and procedures capable of ensuring the highest safety standards for Bologna between 9 and 11 October.

The issue of health and safety has always been a priority for BolognaFiere, which was the first exhibition centre to receive the 18001 safety certification. This know-how has been used to finalise the safety measures and procedures. Obviously, given that the current situation is so dynamic, our existing plans will be updated immediately in response to any new indications that may be issued by the relevant authorities. Each aspect of the exhibition will take place with a particular attention to sanitisation, distancing, the creation of pathways and spaces that enable the activities to take place in full safety during the phases of assembling the stands and exhibition spaces through to their dismantling at the conclusion of the event. Without entering into detail, the spaces will all be sanitised prior to daily opening and the temperature of all users will be measured at gateways equipped with infrared TV cameras. Face masks will be obligatory, sanitising gels will be available throughout, Wi-Fi control room systems will identify the areas where greater numbers of people appear to be gathering, great attention will also be paid to the recycling of air and the hygiene/sanitisation of the spaces, the catering will be managed to enable distancing also offering new services to take orders online, organise user slots and provide catering at the stands.

Planning: a priority requirement
The Covid-19 emergency, which has led to the postponement to 2021 of numerous events originally scheduled for 2020, has further highlighted the need for advanced planning when it comes to participating in trade fair events.

With this in mind BolognaFiere has already announced the dates for SANA 2021: the International Exhibition and Conference for the Organic and Natural sector, which is due to take place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September 2021.

Latest news: