Horecabeurs Noord Nederland looks back on a very successful edition

BOutside it is wet and bleak on the first autumnal October day of 2018; inside it is warm and pleasant, and the Martinikerk in Groningen fills with over 2,000 trade fair visitors and all kinds of 'hospitality aromas' at the premier hospitality event of the Northern Netherlands. This year, too, the fair has once again attracted a host of regular visitors and newcomers, all working in the hospitality industry.

Permanent and new parts

The HBNN organization innovates and tries to add new elements to its event every year. As a result, established features such as the Klaar Af Kook, the North Netherlands Barista Championships, and the Beer Tapping Competitions have become indispensable parts of the exhibition floor. This year, the Craft Beer Business Plaza, the Food Plaza Foodyard, and a series of high-profile speakers have been added.

For instance, on Monday, visitors were treated to lectures and workshops by hospitality blogger Wouter Verkerk and hospitality entrepreneur Harold van Workum, including a masterclass in hospitality, while beer sommelier Ivo Thijssen gave a masterclass in sales techniques with a winter beer tasting session. Additionally, you could attend a workshop with barista Suzanne Diepstra on the use of coffee in cocktails.

Exhibitors

Thanks to the varied range of exhibitors, there was plenty for the trade fair visitor to see, ask, and taste. HBNN is therefore a true ‘business to business’ fair with a specific target group, namely: entrepreneurs, employees, and suppliers. For instance, you will find the usual food & drinks stands there, but you can also go there for hospitality flooring, clothing, and interactive hospitality screens.

Winners of vocational competitions

The professional competitions of HBNN 2018 edition 7 were won this year by:

Klaar Af Kook
1st Martijn Ruiter – De Pijp – Wine & Dine
2nd Taco Boersma – WestCord Hotel Noordsee
3rd Gerry Trouw – Bitter and Sweet

North Netherlands Barista Championships
1st Freddie Alves – Grandcafé Z
2nd Paul Smit – Mocca d’Or
3rd Ruben Dijkstra – Golfbar Mulligan

Tap competitions North region
1st Sander Meeter – Beachclub Lemmer
2nd Marieke Middelkoop – The Courthouse
3rd Koen Hoiting – Grand Café Hooghoudt
4th Erwin Stokmans – Beachclub Lemmer
5th Rein Arjan Zijlstra – Beachclub Lemmer

The Horeca Beurs Noord Nederland 2019 edition 8 is scheduled for September 30 next year. Want to know more about the premier hospitality event? Then check www.hbnn.nl