GLOBAL FMCG LEADERS RECONNECT IN MANCHESTER FOR THE GAMA INNOVATION CONFERENCE & AWARDS 2024

MANCHESTER – 29th October 2024: Last Thursday (24th October), leading representatives of the global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) community came together in The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, to celebrate the ninth edition of the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards (GICA), with the event continuing to build a reputation as a vital meeting point for industry professionals keen to uncover the latest hot-button industry trends and innovations.

Welcoming over 300 guests both in person and online, GICA once again attracted a diverse audience, with stellar names such as pladis Global, Mahou, Sigma, Fazer and Shark Tank Brazil’s Cris Arcangeli rubbing shoulders with dynamic start-ups and scale-ups, industry experts, serial entrepreneurs, SMEs, retailers, hotels, airlines, investors and other specially-invited guests.

Attendees from as far afield as Spain, Portugal, Sweden, India, Australia, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Lebanon, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia ensured the latest edition of this unique gathering of the FMCG community hosted in Manchester was, as ever, a truly global affair.

Commenting on the event, Gama Founder and CEO Cesar Pereira said: “We continue to be blown away by the success of GICA and its power to act as a global hub and incubator for the industry we are all so passionate about. The Gama Innovation Conference & Awards has cemented a reputation as an invaluable source of inspiration and a platform for relationship-building, as well as providing a fresh perspective on key consumer trends”.

Rania Nasr, Founder, Viva Perfetto

Delegates also had the opportunity to network and get inspired within the Innovation Zone, where dozens of companies were showcasing game-changing launches from all over the world.

The 2024 edition also saw the return of the Meet The Buyer and Meet The Investor initiatives, offering attendees even more ways to connect and interact, as GICA once against fulfilled a vital role as an accelerator for the industry.

Ian Wright CBE, Co-Chair of the Food & Drink Export Council, said: “What you can see here is the most extraordinary transformation – this has become a really exciting, different kind of event with all sorts of really interesting innovations. It’s a really excellent showcase for the industry’s innovation”.

Cris Arcangeli, Chief Executive, Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, Shark Tank Brazil Host, added: “The networking was great. This opportunity is a game-changer for the brands that come here, as well as for the entrepreneurs who want to understand future trends”.

Following the main event, international delegates were also invited to a special evening get together at 20 Stories, Manchester’s ultimate high-style destination, to continue the celebrations and engage in some relaxed networking and relationship-building.

SUCESS STORIES, EMERGING TRENDS AND HOT TOPICS

The Gama Innovation Conference began with a series of thought-provoking presentations, as a range of industry thought leaders shared their expert knowledge of emerging trends, critical factors in successful brand building, and other keys to success in a challenging and competitive business environment. The emerging role of high technology in product development emerged as a dominant theme, as did the need to meet consumers’ heightened expectations of consumer brands, especially when it comes to wellbeing, functionality, taste and values.

  • Kicking off the conference, Ian Wright CBE, Co-Chair of the Food & Drink Export Council, drew particular attention to the need for brands to address consumers health concerns, highlighting the switch away from sugar and an increased focus on preventative health.
  • Following Ian, Tricia McNeilly, Founder of ötzibrew, shared her entrepreneurship journey and the factors that have been key to her brand-building success, especially the need for passion and integrity and the importance of timing and being an ‘early adopter’ of trends.
  • Next up, Simón Fusté, European Snacking Director at Sigma, shared the targeted consumer insights that inspired a new snacks brand zoning in on health, indulgence and simple ingredients.
  • The fourth presenter was Annika Porr, Senior Manager, Forward Lab, Fazer, who gave a glimpse into the technologies set to shape the confectionery of the future, including fermented protein and cell-based cocoa.
  • Following Annika, Cris Arcangeli, Chief Executive, Investor, Serial  Entrepreneur, Shark Tank Brazil Host, shared her top tips for the perfect FMCG pitch, including the importance of storytelling, an understanding of prospective investors’ interests and values, and a clear call to action.
  • Next up, Tom Warden, Insights Director at Gama, walked through five overarching trends in FMCG innovation, including the rise of ‘super-charged’ protein, the emergence of new manufacturing technologies, and growing interest in wild botanicals.
  • Rounding off the conference, Çağdaş Savaşan, Marketing & Commercial Director, Eker, gave an insight into Türkiye’s growing dairy sector and the perception of dairy products as a better-for-you option.

Ian Wright CBE, Co-Chair, Food & Drink Export Council, Department of Business and Trade

CELEBRATING INNOVATION

The second half of the event was given over to celebrating key breakthroughs in the consumer goods space, with the unveiling of the winners in each category of the Gama Innovation Awards.

Recognising outstanding innovation in the FMCG space, the Gama Innovation Awards – presented in the categories of Product, Packaging, Positioning, Branding & Design, SME, Best of Britain, Health & Wellness, Best of Middle East, Hospitality and Travel – represented the very best innovations unearthed in the last year by Gama’s global network of in-country researchers and analysts.

As ever, award winners were decided by an international panel of prestigious judges from some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Kraft Heinz, Coty, Essity, and Welch’s.

Nuno Alves (Grand Carob), Simón Fusté (Sigma), The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cris Arcangeli, Monika Walch (Bauer), Pedro Oliveira (Foodhak) and Mohammed Alrajhi (Rio Food Industries Factory).

Silvia Ruiz, Innovation Director at Gama, said: “The Gama Innovation Awards once again shone a light on all of the best and brightest in product development from the FMCG world over the past year, and celebrated the pioneers and forward-thinkers driving innovation in their category”.

The overall winners in each category were as follows:

  • Product: Bauer DadoCrema Cooking Stock Cream (Italy). Judges were impressed by Bauer’s novel ‘stock paste’ format showcasing premium and natural ingredients. Award presented by Matteo Corradini, Consul General of Italy (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Monika Walch of Bauer said: “For us, winning the Gama Innovation Award 2024 is really an extraordinary validation of our vision. We succeeded in creating a product that blends the quality of Italian tradition with innovation”.

  • Packaging: The British Crisp Co. Crisps (UK). The British Snack Co. took home the Packaging award for its “fully recyclable” paper crisp bag. Award presented by John Winnard MBE, William Santus (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Tom Lock of The British Snack Co. said: “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the British Snack Co. 8 billion crisp packets are produced every year in unrecyclable packaging, but thanks to Evopak, that’s about to change”.

  • Positioning: Cocuus Upgraded Meat Meat Elaboration (Spain). Cocuus caught the eye of the judges thanks to its novel blend of meat offcuts, vegetable fats and minerals. Award presented by Pedro Jesús Eusebio Cuesta, Director of the Instituto Cervantes (watch here).
  • Branding & Design (sponsored by Manchester Printers): Cafe Bustelo Espresso Style Coffee (USA). Cafe Bustelo turned the heads of the judges with its clever design that mimics a traditional moka pot. Award presented by Gavin Page, Manchester Printers (watch here).
  • SME: Grand Carob Carob Granola (Portugal). The SME award went to this innovative granola that makes carob the star ingredient. Award presented by Cris Arcangeli, Beauty’in  (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Nuno Alves of Grand Carob said: “It is a great honour to receive this award, and a profound validation of all the work we’ve been doing”.

  • Health & Wellness: Eker Detoks Kefir (Türkiye). Eker’s launch impressed the panel by marrying traditional kefir with modern dietary trends. Award presented by Seyfi Onur Sayin, Consul General of Türkiye (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Çağdaş Savaşan of Eker said: “We’d like to thank our marketing team in Istanbul, and to thank you”.

  • Best of Britain: Pophaks Popped Lotus Seeds With Ashwagandha (UK). The Best of Britain award went to this lotus seed snack boasting fashionable botanical ashwagandha. Award presented by The Lord Mayor, City of Manchester (watch here).

    Rio Food Industries Factory and Abdullah AlMasoud, Commercial Attaché, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Commenting on the award, Pedro Oliveira of Foodhak said: “I stand before you humbled by the recognition of this award. It is truly an honour to be acknowledged in such an esteemed company”.

  • Best of Middle East: Rio Honey Water With Saffron (Saudi Arabia). This upscale soft drink was recognised for combining saffron and honey in a health-forward blend. Award presented by Abdullah AlMasoud, Commercial Attaché of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Mohammed Alrahji of Rio Food Industries Factory said: “The award is not just a recognition of the product itself but a testament of the quality of Saudi industry. This accomplishment is the result of years of hard work, continuous trialling and meticulous preparation”.

  • Hospitality: Rap10 Chocolate Tortilla  Bread (Brazil). Bimbo do Brasil took home the Hospitality award for this sweet twist on traditional flour tortillas. Award presented by Tom Warden of Gama (watch here).
  • Travel: Snack’in For You Air Meats Snack  (Spain). The novel aerated texture of this meat snack saw it crowned the winner in the Travel category. Award presented by Duarte Bué Alves, Consul General of Portugal (watch here).

Commenting on the award, Simón Fusté  of Sigma said: “It’s truly an honour for Snack’in For You to win this award. The joy of the food industry is when you put genuinely good food into people’s mouths and they interact with it and say: ‘This is fantastic’”.

Cris Arcangeli and Cesar Pereira

  • 2024 also saw the Compass award presented to Cris Arcangeli, in recognition of a career dedicated to harnessing the power of innovation and empowering women in consumer goods. Award presented by Cesar Pereira, Gama (watch here).

Accepting the award, Cris Arcangeli commented: “We empower women so they can have their own money, independence, and can escape from violence. Good companies need to have better balance between men and women, especially at higher levels of management. The world is more diverse today, and the more we look into diversity, the better the world will be. Thank you very much for the prize – I’m very happy to be here”.

The awards ceremony was closed by The Lord Mayor of the City of Manchester, who explored Manchester’s reputation as a city built on innovation.

“We look forward to welcoming the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards back to Manchester in 2025, (…) enabling the city to be a global hub for innovation and international trade in consumer goods for years to come”, the Lord Mayor concluded.

SAVE THE DATE

The Gama Innovation Conference & Awards will return to Manchester on Thursday, 23rd October 2025 for a special tenth anniversary celebration.

To find out more about GICA 2025, please contact Silvia Ruiz at silvia.ruiz@gamaconsumer.com

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About GICA 2024

The ninth edition of the Gama Innovation Conference & Awards (GICA), took place on Thursday 24th October at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

GICA 2024 is an invitation-only event and welcomed over 300 attendees from around the globe, including FMCG manufacturers, industry experts, retail buyers, hotels, airlines and investors.

Awarded in the disciplines of Product, Packaging, Positioning, Branding & Design, SME, Best of Britain, Best of Middle East, Health & Wellness, Travel and Hospitality, the Gama Innovation Awards go to the top new launches unearthed each month by Gama’s network of in-country researchers and analysts.

Winners are chosen through an international panel of expert judges based on a shortlist of innovative products.

www.gamainnovation.com

 

About Gama 

Gama is a global provider of business information and services specializing in product innovation and international trade.

Through our worldwide network of over 100 experts in more than 50 countries, we offer high-quality news, research, analysis and partnering services. We deliver actionable insights, enabling you to make more informed decisions and supporting you to unlock new business opportunities.

www.gamaconsumer.com