Citation
Blades, M. (2004), "Editorial", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 34 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2004.01734daa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Throughout my career I have attended a number of conferences and exhibitions on all aspects of food and nutrition. These have all focused on particular aspects of food, health and nutrition, and been aimed at particular professional groups such as dietitians, hospital catering managers, general practitioners or other such groups.
Recently, I visited an exhibition called “Vitality” in London. This was aimed at the general public and was advertised in a wide number of women’s magazines found in newsagents.
The exhibition was held over three days at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London and was absolutely filled with various stands from a wide variety of companies. Even though there was a fee for attendance, there was a heavy attendance and it was almost difficult to get near to many of the stands as people jostled to acquire information.
There were also numerous talks and seminars as well as tasting sessions of foods and different beverages. While some of the stands focused more on pampering types of treatments such as makeup and hair, the majority of the larger stands concentrated on all aspects of nutrition and health.
Many of the brand leaders of foods and major retail chain stores were providing information and advice as well as samples.
Experts in the field provided talks on nutrition. These talks were extremely well attended with standing room only at the majority, and people were given an opportunity to ask questions of experts.
A number of bookstalls provided opportunities to purchase books on food and nutrition and also to attend seminars by authors of various books.
The publishers of magazines on all aspects of health and fitness were exhibiting and also providing seminars and copies of the magazines.
With the large attendance and popularity of the event it would seem that such events might be popular and also informative if held in other areas of the country. This would enable information on nutrition and health to be provided to a wide variety of people in an accessible and enjoyable way.
Mabel Blades