——When opportunity knocks for collaboration, how do we turn trust into a bridge?

Origins: A Partnership Born from Being Selected

The collaboration between Imported Food Network and HOFEX began with an invitation from the exhibition organiser.

Launched in 1987 and organised by Informa Markets Asia, HOFEX is held biennially at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As Asia’s premier international exhibition for food, beverage and hotel equipment, HOFEX was the first to bring premium global food, fine beverages and top hospitality equipment to Asia, serving as a benchmark event for Asia’s food and hotel industries.

Informa Markets, the organiser, is a world-leading exhibition group operating more than 550 international B2B events and brands across sectors including healthcare, infrastructure, fashion, hospitality, food and beverage. Being selected as a partner for an international exhibition like HOFEX recognises Imported Food Network’s professional expertise built up within China’s imported food sector.

Journey Together: From Being Selected to Being Trusted

2017: First partnership, marking HOFEX’s 30th anniversary

In May 2017, the 17th HOFEX grandly opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to celebrate the exhibition’s 30th anniversary. It was the largest edition in HOFEX history, gathering over 2,600 exhibitors from 72 countries and regions across 66,000 square metres covering 15 exhibition halls.

Invited by the organiser, Imported Food Network led a delegation of professional Chinese buyers to the Hong Kong showfloor for face-to-face negotiations with global exhibitors. In the same year, the formal partnership between Imported Food Network and HOFEX was established, laying a solid foundation for in-depth cooperation in the years ahead.

2019: Deepened cooperation, precise matchmaking for a VIP purchasing group of 100+ enterprises

On 7 May 2019, the 18th HOFEX kicked off at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As an official partner of HOFEX Hong Kong, Imported Food Network assembled a professional buyer delegation consisting of more than 100 high-quality mainland enterprises from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Foshan, Zhengzhou, Shantou and other cities to conduct business negotiations with international exhibitors.

The VIP buyers invited by Imported Food Network covered food importers, distributors, supermarket chains, hotels and catering businesses. Their intended purchases spanned all categories including snacks, alcoholic drinks, bakery products, meat, catering supplies and hotel equipment. During the exhibition, the VIP buyer group toured booths from all over the world and took group photos with representatives of the Czech pavilion. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation warmly received the Imported Food Network team, where Commercial Consul Ms Ezzwanee Ahmad personally introduced Malaysian food products and participating enterprises to the buyers.

2023: Partnership upgraded – appointed as Official Industry Media

From 10 to 12 May 2023, HOFEX returned after the pandemic break. The exhibition brought together over 1,200 exhibitors and brands, attracting more than 25,000 professional buyers.

Imported Food Network was officially named the designated industry media partner of HOFEX Hong Kong. It delivered multi-dimensional promotion for the exhibition and actively connected enterprises across the industry to join exhibition activities, jointly creating opportunities for global clients and partners to engage, experience and close deals. At this stage, the relationship evolved from a collaborating party to an officially appointed partner — the organiser entrusted Imported Food Network with its brand promotion and buyer recruitment.

2025: Continuing the journey, growing alongside the exhibition

HOFEX 2025 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 14 to 16 May. The event featured over 2,000 exhibitors and brands from 28 countries and regions, including more than 25 national and regional pavilions, drawing over 27,000 professional buyers.

Imported Food Network continued its in-depth participation as the official designated industry media. Over the years, HOFEX has maintained its standing as Asia’s top food exhibition and a trendsetter for Asia’s food and beverage sector, while Imported Food Network remains one of its most reliable partners in the Chinese market.

Why did HOFEX choose Imported Food Network?

Because we offer far more than exhibition promotion — we deliver professional trade matchmaking.

Since its launch in 2007, Imported Food Network has focused on cross-border food B2B trade, building a network of professional buyers and suppliers from more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. Boasting a robust purchasing demand pipeline and clients across 100 countries and regions, the platform acts as a gateway and cooperation hub for numerous overseas food suppliers entering the Chinese market.

This is exactly the capability HOFEX sought:

• The organiser needs qualified professional buyers: Imported Food Network has organised hundreds of VIP professional purchasers spanning importers, distributors, retail chains, hotels and catering channels.

• The organiser requires influence in the Chinese market: With nearly two decades of deep engagement in the imported food industry, Imported Food Network maintains long-term partnerships with renowned exhibitions such as SIAL France, Anuga Germany, China Food & Wine Fair and Canton Fair, serving as a widely recognised trade bridge.

• The organiser needs a dependable long-term partner: The cooperation between Imported Food Network and HOFEX has remained uninterrupted since 2017.
  
  

If you are also looking for such a partner

If you are an overseas food brand seeking entry into the Chinese market but struggling to find the right channels — If you are a domestic importer wanting access to premium global products yet lacking reliable information — If you are an exhibition organiser aiming to expand influence in China and precisely recruit professional buyers —

Imported Food Network is the bridge you need!