The organisation of AGF Totaal trade fair into market segments was well-received by visitors and exhibitors, according to organisers. There was an enthusiastic response to this new development, which was given shape by initiatives such as the Fresh Food Solutions segment. AGF Totaal 2003, which was held from September 15-17 in Ahoy' Rotterdam, drew 14,826 unique visitors.
To paint a more exact picture of the flow of visitors, this year the organisers decided to count unique visitors, not the total number of visits. Exhibitors were pleased about both the number and quality of the visitors. There was an obvious increase in the number of fresh food specialists and supermarket buyers.
The most popular programmes at the trade fair included the Fresh Produce Retailers Contest, led by Dutch TV cook Rudolph van Veen, and the Fresh Produce Debate. The winner of the AGF Innovation Prize 2003 was Tongu Fruits from Ghana. This company grows and processes its own pineapples. According to the jury, which was comprised of the ëVakblad AGF Men of the Year', Tongu Fruits was awarded the prize due to its combination of ideology and business ingenuity.
In addition, a ëframework of co-operation' was announced between Ahoy' Rotterdam and ADN, the fresh produce retail association in the Netherlands. Ahoy' Rotterdam and ADN intend to combine to organise AGF Detailhandel, the fresh produce retail trade fair. This fair will be held in Houten (The Netherlands) during even years, and will be part of the AGF Totaal in odd years. The first jointly-organised trade fair will be held in Houten in September 2004.
The first exhibition space for AGF Totaal 2005 has already been sold. The 13th edition of the trade fair will be held from September 12-14, 2005 in Ahoy' Rotterdam.
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