HORECA CONNECTS, the meeting place for the foodservice and hospitality industries, opened its doors earlier today at Seaside Pavilion.

Taking place from 22-24 March under the theme “Building New Bridges,” the show provides a platform for hospitality professionals to reconnect and network face to face for the first time in two years.

The opening ceremony gathered presidents of associations, VIPs, media representatives as well as key hospitality and foodservice professionals.

His Excellency Walid Nassar, Lebanon’s Minister of Tourism, made a speech in which he honored the late Nouhad Dammous, co-founder of Hospitality Services, and highlighted the importance of events like HORECA for Lebanon’s hospitality sector.

Joumana Dammous Salame, managing director of Hospitality Services, organizer of the event, said: “After a two-year wait, we are pleased to be able to hold an event like this to meet, network and shape the future of the industry, while remaining optimistic and looking forward.”

HORECA CONNECTS is held concurrently with Berytech’s Agri-Food Innovation Days, which aims to shine a bright light on innovations, solutions and much more.

Furthermore, the program of events included a series of live talks and conferences with leading entrepreneurs and experts.

During today’s Meet the Innovators session, Soumaya Merhi, founder and owner of Taqa Bar, a socially responsible homegrown Lebanese concept, spoke about the importance of reducing carbon footprint and gave guidance to others starting their business on how to build a successful brand. “Quality is key, so you need to focus on delivering consistency before even venturing into the export market. It took us six years to get to that point,” she said.

Sessions on March 23 and 24 will bring together Lebanese leading wine producers, rural tourism operators, restaurateurs and foodservice consultants, who will share their know-how. Visitors can attend the conferences in person or view on the HORECA CONNECTS live stream.

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