With renewed focus on Artisan Baking and the bar and coffee sector, Fiera Milano presents the world’s leading trade show for the hospitality industry. Over 1,700 exhibitors from 54 countries have already confirmed their participation.
From smart automation to AI-driven menus, and sustainability influencing choices and consumption habits, hospitality and out-of-home experiences are undergoing an unprecedented evolution. To offer customers increasingly multisensory and immersive experiences, cutting-edge technologies are merging with design and functionality to create hi-tech yet welcoming solutions.
These trends are driving market growth: according to ExportPlanning data, in 2024 the global production of the sectors represented at Host 2025 amounts to €189.9 billion, with professional foodservice equipment leading the way, posting a +8.6% increase over the previous year. In this context of global growth, Italy reaffirms its leading role in exports: as highlighted by ICE – the Italian Trade Agency – Italy holds the global leadership in Coffee and Vending Machines with a 29.8% market share, is co-leader in Bakery and Pastry Machines (28.8%) just behind China, and maintains a strong position in Gelato and Refrigeration Machines with a 10.5% share.
The place to be for companies and professionals from around the world
In this dynamic scenario, Fiera Milano presents Host 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for hospitality, out-of-home and food retail – the place to preview the trends shaping the future of global hospitality.
Five months ahead of the opening on 17 October, over 1,700 exhibitors are already registered – from top players to standout SMEs – with 44% coming from 54 different countries. Alongside Italy, the most active countries include Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom. There is also notable participation from South America and Southeast Asia.
These companies will connect with over 700 hosted buyers from approximately 75 countries, carefully selected with the support of ICE. Key target sectors include distributors, retailers, exporters/importers; restaurants, food service and out-of-home operators; large-scale distribution; hospitality businesses; shopping centres and venues; chefs, professionals and consultants. The main international regions of origin include the Americas (35%), the Middle East and Africa (28%), Asia and Oceania (14%), and Europe and CIS countries (24%).
Host 2025 will deliver a comprehensive overview of innovation across the industry, with focused segments structured by supply chain: Professional Foodservice and Bakery-Pasta-Pizza; Coffee-Tea, Bar-Coffee Machines-Vending, Gelato-Pastry; Tableware-Technology-Contract Furnishing.
Spotlight on Artisan Baking with the renewed MIPPP
Artisan Baking stands out within this cross-sectoral overview. As consumers increasingly seek products that merge craftsmanship with wellbeing, manufacturers and solution providers are responding with technology-driven innovations that emphasize digitalisation, energy efficiency, and quality control.
According to a Grand View Research report, the global bakery equipment market has reached a value of around $14 billion, with a projected annual growth of 6.7% until 2030. Equipment for pizza base production is set to see especially strong growth, driven by rising demand for gourmet, organic, and gluten-free pizza varieties.
To respond to these trends, Host 2025 is expanding the MIPPP – Milano Bakery Pizza Pasta area, in part through a new partnership with the SIPAN Consortium, which brings together the most important Italian manufacturers of bakery equipment. MIPPP will be joined by Bakery Square, a hub for training, events, competitions, and workshops promoting the culture of artisan baking. Among its highlights: the Panettone World Championship and the European Pizza Championship.
The bar and coffee world prepares for an increasingly specialty-driven future
Alongside baking, the bar and coffee world represents the other frontier of an increasingly experience-driven out-of-home sector. From inventive iced coffee recipes to nitro coffee prepared with liquid nitrogen, today’s consumers seek personalization and multisensory engagement.
This momentum is also reflected in the numbers: combining at-home and out-of-home consumption, Statista estimates the global coffee market closed 2024 with a value of $461.30 billion, and is expected to surpass $500 billion by 2028, reaching $521.90 billion by 2030.
At Host 2025, the bar and coffee sectors will be spotlighted through SIC – the International Coffee Exhibition – a key global reference point that brings together the entire Italian and international supply chain, from green bean to finished beverage. This edition will also welcome the much-anticipated return of the World Barista Championship to Milan – the most prestigious competition in the field.
360-degree innovation across all sectors
As part of Host Milano’s holistic approach, innovation will take centre stage not only in baking and coffee, but across every exhibition sector. Near the SIC area, the Gelato and Pastry sections will showcase excellence from machinery to ingredients, semi-finished products, and accessories.
Design will also play a key role in the Furnishings-Technology and Tableware zones – now essential destinations for professionals in contract design, hospitality, and food retail. In recent years, Host Milano has evolved from a technology showcase into a trend incubator for new concepts and formats.
This evolution is reinforced by the Smart Label – Host Innovation Award, promoted by HostMilano and Fiera Milano in collaboration with POLI.design and under the patronage of ADI (the Association for Industrial Design). Now in its seventh edition, the award has attracted over 950 submissions to date.
From training to show-cooking and competitions
Beyond the exhibition floors, Host 2025 will offer a packed program of events. Expect appearances from acclaimed and rising-star chefs during live show-cooking sessions, as well as master pizza chefs presenting bold and modern takes on this Italian classic. Discussions and workshops with industry experts, organized in collaboration with partner associations, will complete the agenda.
Host Milano is also expanding its international strategy with new initiatives targeting key markets and stakeholders. In addition to appearances at major global trade events, a new spin-off – Host Arabia – will debut in Riyadh from 15 to 17 December 2025. Organized with local partner Semark, the event coincides with Saudi HORECA and aims to become a major platform for professional hospitality in the Middle East.
The 44th edition of Host Milano will take place at Fiera Milano, Rho district, from 17 to 21 October 2025.
Source: Host Milano
