CategoryFood & Beverages
GELATISSIMO - World of Gelato
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About this event
GELATISSIMO – World of Gelato
GELATISSIMO – World of Gelato is positioned as the biggest gelato trade fair north of the Alps, bringing together the gelato industry’s newest trends, products, and concepts for artisanal ice-cream business growth.
The fair presents a complete, practical “everything you need” view of gelato production and shop operations—from the building blocks of gelato, such as raw materials and toppings, to consumer-facing preparation formats like waffles, and onward to the full equipment chain: ice cream machines, tools and equipment for the ice laboratory, and refrigerated counters. In addition, GELATISSIMO covers the customer experience side with cups, accessories, and also shopfitting and furnishings.
Beyond product browsing, GELATISSIMO is presented with themed worlds and competitions, creating an industry-focused environment where visitors can explore new ideas and also experience gelato craftsmanship in an event setting that includes tasting.
Event type (industry focus)
This is a specialized gelato / artisan ice-cream trade fair centered on foodservice operators, gelato production specialists, and suppliers across the full value chain—from ingredients and flavor systems through to machines, refrigeration, and retail presentation.
Venue & location
- Venue: Paul Horn Halle (Hall 10)
- Venue host: Messe Stuttgart
- City: Stuttgart
- Country: Germany
Dates
Dates: not provided in the supplied official website text.
What visitors can expect (content & coverage)
GELATISSIMO’s exhibitor presentations are designed to show practical solutions for both production and point-of-sale. The fair’s scope explicitly spans:
- Ingredients & raw materials: foundational items for artisanal gelato
- Toppings & flavor add-ons, including complementary product offerings
- Formats and add-on items such as waffles
- Machines & equipment including ice cream production machinery
- Ice laboratory equipment supporting quality work and development
- Refrigerated counters and related retail refrigeration solutions
- Packaging and serving items such as cups and accessories
- Shopfitting and furnishings to support store layout and customer experience
Why GELATISSIMO matters for the gelato business
For gelato entrepreneurs and professionals, GELATISSIMO is structured to be more than a standard product marketplace. It is presented as a sector hub—combining themed product worlds, industry competitions, and tasting experiences—so that visitors can connect trend discovery with real business-relevant decisions across production, merchandising, and store setup.
Overall, GELATISSIMO gives the industry a concentrated, international-influenced platform to discover what helps a gelato business “get ahead,” with exhibitor offerings that cover end-to-end operations.
Data sheet
GELATISSIMO - World of Gelato – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 16–18 February 2028 | Location: Stuttgart, Germany | Event Status: Upcoming | Research Date: 1 July 2026
| Event Overview | |
| Event Name | GELATISSIMO - World of Gelato |
| Event Date | 16–18 February 2028 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Messe Stuttgart, Paul Horn Halle (Hall 10) |
| City | Stuttgart |
| State / Region | Baden-Württemberg |
| Country | Germany |
| Organizer | Messe Stuttgart |
| Official Event Website | messe-stuttgart.de/gelatissimo/en |
| Event Type | Trade fair / industry exhibition |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Hospitality; Packing & Packaging; Home & Office |
| Audience Reach | National with strong European / international buyer relevance |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium; official event positioning and historical references confirmed, but current-year footfall not publicly stated. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To showcase trends, products, equipment, ingredients, shopfitting, and business ideas for artisanal gelato and ice-cream operators. |
About the Event
GELATISSIMO is Messe Stuttgart’s specialist trade fair for the gelato and artisanal ice-cream market, positioned as the largest gelato-focused trade fair north of the Alps. Official event messaging emphasizes trends, products, and ideas for artisanal ice-cream businesses, including raw materials, toppings, waffles, machines, equipment, refrigerated counters, cups, accessories, and shopfitting.
The event matters because it brings together the commercial ecosystem behind gelato production and retailing: manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, equipment vendors, shopfitters, and operating businesses such as gelaterias, cafés, dessert operators, wholesalers, and industry specialists. For B2B lead generation, it is especially relevant for companies selling ingredients, machinery, packaging, cold-chain solutions, retail fixtures, and services supporting premium dessert and foodservice operations.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelateria and ice-cream shop owners | Independent gelaterias, ice-cream parlors, dessert shops | Owner-buyer; final purchasing authority | High-value prospects for ingredients, equipment, cups, display cases, and shop upgrades |
| Foodservice operators | Cafés, restaurants, hotels, dessert bars, catering firms | Menu development and procurement influence | Relevant for frozen dessert ingredients, presentation tools, and equipment |
| Wholesalers and distributors | Regional food distributors, specialty ingredient wholesalers | Channel buying and resale decisions | Important for suppliers seeking channel expansion |
| Importers and traders | Ingredient importers, beverage/food traders, specialty retailers | Sourcing and supplier evaluation | Relevant for premium ingredients, cones, toppings, and packaging |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Multi-unit food operators, chains, hospitality groups | Vendor selection, cost control, contract negotiation | Strong for B2B ingredient, packaging, and equipment suppliers |
| Production and operations managers | Manufacturers, central kitchens, commissaries | Operational efficiency and process decisions | Relevant for machinery, refrigeration, QA, and process automation |
| Shopfitters and retail concept buyers | Store designers, fit-out firms, hospitality builders | Specification and project purchasing | Relevant for counters, display systems, furnishings, and branded retail environments |
| Product developers / R&D | Ingredient manufacturers, dairy firms, dessert brands | Innovation and formulation influence | Important for flavor systems, stabilizers, inclusions, and trend products |
| Association leaders and educators | Gelato associations, culinary schools, trade associations | Industry influence, training, and networking | Useful for sponsorship, partnerships, and category authority building |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart metropolitan area | Local operators and suppliers | High | Convenient access to Messe Stuttgart supports regional attendance |
| Baden-Württemberg and nearby German regions | Foodservice, retail, and manufacturing buyers | High | Strong regional market for premium food concepts and equipment |
| Germany nationwide | Gelateria chains, distributors, wholesalers, hospitality groups | High | Official positioning as a major trade fair indicates national buyer draw |
| Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and neighboring EU markets | Specialty suppliers, importers, and professional gelato operators | Medium to High | Cross-border relevance is strong for a category with deep Italian commercial roots |
| Broader European and international niche audience | Ingredient manufacturers, machinery brands, trend-focused buyers | Medium | International exhibitor mix and specialist positioning support wider reach |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary reach | Germany is the core market for visitor and buyer demand due to the Stuttgart location and foodservice focus. |
| Global | Secondary reach | International relevance is strong for a specialized gelato event with category-specific suppliers and cross-border trade interest. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messe Stuttgart | Trade fair organizer / venue operator | Organizer and venue; useful for partnership and sponsor targeting | messe-stuttgart.de | Event Director, Sales Manager, Partnership Manager | Confirmed Government / Procurement Organization |
| Uniteis e.V. | Industry association | Referenced in official event content; relevant buyer influence network | uniteis.com | Association Director, Chairman, Program Manager | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| EISUNION | Wholesaler / distributor | Official content describes it as a major ice wholesale distributor | eisunion.de | Purchasing Manager, Category Manager, Sales Director | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| Babbi S.r.l. | Ingredient / confectionery supplier | Featured in official news archive; relevant for premium gelato supply chain | babbi.com | Export Manager, Sales Director, Product Manager | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| Fabbri 1905 | Ingredient and syrup supplier | Featured in official news archive; strong fit for gelato ingredients buyers | fabbri1905.com | Key Account Manager, Sales Manager, Export Director | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| META | Gelato / foodservice operator | Referenced as an ice-cream retail success story in official content | No verified official domain captured in source text | Owner, Operations Director, Purchasing Manager | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| Spoontainable | Packaging / sustainable utensils supplier | Featured in official content as a sustainability-oriented product innovator | spoontainable.com | Business Development Manager, Sustainability Lead, Sales Director | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| Alois Krä | Coffee / beverage expertise brand | Referenced in official content connected to beverage and cafe culture relevance | No verified official domain captured in source text | Brand Manager, Sales Manager, Partnerships Lead | Prior-Year Participation Evidence |
| Gelatieri / independent gelaterias in Germany | Buyer segment / small business operators | Core attendee base for equipment, ingredients, and retail displays | Varies by company | Owner, Managing Director, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hospitality groups and café chains | Buyer segment / multi-unit operator | Potential buyers for frozen dessert menus, equipment, and retail fixtures | Varies by company | Procurement Manager, F&B Director, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Food ingredient manufacturers | B2B supplier / potential partner-buyer | May source machinery, packaging, or co-packing services and also buy at the show | Varies by company | R&D Director, Category Manager, Export Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owner / Managing Director | Executive | Owner / C-level | Final buyer for equipment, ingredients, and shop investments |
| 2 | Procurement Manager | Procurement | Manager | Sources ingredients, packaging, equipment, and service contracts |
| 3 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Sourcing | Manager / Director | Evaluates suppliers and negotiates volume contracts |
| 4 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Influences production efficiency, equipment selection, and service vendor choice |
| 5 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Procurement | Manager | Manages product assortments and vendor selection for chains and wholesalers |
| 6 | Food & Beverage Director | Hospitality / F&B | Director | Relevant for hotels, resorts, and multi-site food operators |
| 7 | Product Manager / R&D Manager | Product / Innovation | Manager | Evaluates new flavors, formulations, and trend-driven products |
| 8 | Business Development Director | Commercial | Director | Relevant for suppliers seeking channel partners and new accounts |
| 9 | Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain | Manager | Relevant for logistics, cold chain, and inventory-linked offerings |
| 10 | Shopfitting / Store Development Manager | Retail Development | Manager | Decision-maker for counters, furnishings, and store layout investments |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core industry for gelato ingredients, desserts, and retail products | Ingredient, flavor, and dessert solution sales |
| 2 | Hospitality | Hotels, cafés, and foodservice buyers often source dessert programs | Menu expansion and equipment sales |
| 3 | Wholesale | Distributors and wholesalers are central to category distribution | Channel sales and reseller recruitment |
| 4 | Import & Export | The fair attracts international ingredient and equipment trade | Cross-border trade opportunities |
| 5 | Retail | Retail concepts and ice-cream shops are core buyer groups | Store fixtures, product assortment, and display sales |
| 6 | Consumer Goods | Many exhibitor offerings are consumer-facing packaged goods | Packaging, branding, and product launch support |
| 7 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Covers machines, fittings, and operating supplies | Capital equipment and consumables sales |
| 8 | Packaging & Containers | Cups, cones, and to-go packaging are key show categories | Sustainable packaging and branded container sales |
| 9 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Relevant for ice machines, refrigerated counters, and process equipment | Technical equipment and engineering-led selling |
| 10 | Consumer Services | Supports service businesses that sell premium dessert experiences | Operational support and service subscriptions |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed | Official website content reviewed; no attendee number stated | Use only organizer-confirmed data when available |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed | Official website content reviewed; no current count stated in provided text | No inventing exhibitor totals |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed | No official buyer-count figure provided | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed | No official speaker total in provided source text | Agenda/speaker list not supplied |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed | Historical / prior-year evidence | Official event archive and historical news references | Useful only as qualitative participation evidence |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and raw materials | Quality, consistency, innovation, and margin control | Sampling, formulation meetings, distributor introductions | Bases, fruit preparations, stabilizers, inclusions, toppings |
| Equipment and machinery | Production speed, reliability, and energy efficiency | Live demos and technical consultations | Batch freezers, pasteurizers, counters, display cases |
| Packaging and takeaway | Branding, sustainability, and convenience | Sustainability-led product pitches and custom packaging briefs | Cups, cones, lids, spoons, eco-friendly packaging |
| Shopfitting and merchandising | Better customer experience and higher basket value | Design reviews and visual merchandising consultation | Counters, furnishings, menu boards, display systems |
| Sustainability | Plastic reduction and eco-friendly operations | Position products as compliance and brand-value enhancers | Reusable or compostable utensils, recyclable materials |
| Training and education | Skill building, production methods, and product trends | Workshops, masterclasses, and certification-linked demos | Training, technical support, recipe development services |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | This is a specialist event for businesses that purchase gelato ingredients, equipment, and shop supplies. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Owner-operators, procurement leads, and category managers are likely attendee profiles. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Strong niche value, but current-year attendee lists are not publicly confirmed in the provided source text. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Clear targeting by foodservice, wholesale, hospitality, packaging, and equipment sectors. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong German and European concentration; ideal for regional outreach campaigns. |
| Best outreach approach | Direct, offer-led, and sample-driven | Lead with product samples, menu improvement, cost savings, or sustainability benefits. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Specialist trade audience with strong commercial intent and category-specific buying needs. |
| Best use case | B2B attendee list building and account-based outreach | Best for suppliers targeting gelato operators, distributors, and foodservice buyers. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Public current-year attendee and exhibitor lists were not provided in the source text, so some prospecting relies on market fit rather than confirmed attendance. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Hospitality; Wholesale; Import & Export; Retail; Consumer Goods; Packaging & Containers; Business Supplies & Equipment; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; Consumer Services | Targets buyers and influencers most likely to purchase or specify event-relevant products |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Supply Chain; Product; Purchasing; Business Development; Merchandising; Food & Beverage; Facilities; Executive | Focuses on decision-makers and budget holders |
| Seniority | Owner; Partner; CXO; VP; Director; Head; Manager | Prioritizes buyers with authority or strong influence |
| Job titles | Owner, Managing Director, Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Category Manager, Operations Director, Food & Beverage Director, Supply Chain Manager, Product Manager, R&D Manager, Business Development Director | Targets the most relevant commercial and operational roles |
| Geography | Germany; Baden-Württemberg; Austria; Switzerland; Italy; Benelux; France; selected EU markets | Matches the likely buyer geography for this Stuttgart-based specialist trade fair |
| Employee size | 1–10; 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000 | Captures independent operators, regional distributors, and multi-site food businesses |
| Keywords | gelato, ice cream, frozen dessert, dessert bar, gelateria, confectionery, foodservice, wholesale, refrigeration, display case, shopfitting, packaging, sustainable packaging, ingredients | Improves precision for category-specific prospecting |
| Company type | Privately held; family-owned; regional distributor; multi-location operator; manufacturer; importer | Useful for focusing on practical, purchase-active organizations |
| Revenue range | Use mid-market plus selected enterprise filters where relevant | Balances independent operators with larger chains and distributors |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (gelato OR "ice cream" OR "frozen dessert" OR gelateria OR dessert) AND (procurement OR sourcing OR purchasing OR operations OR "food & beverage" OR wholesale OR distributor OR retailer) AND (manager OR director OR owner OR VP OR head OR chief). Add geography filters for Germany, Baden-Württemberg, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland for highest relevance.
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| GELATISSIMO official event page | Official organizer source | Event positioning, venue hall, category focus, and official branding | High |
| Messe Stuttgart official website | Organizer / venue source | Organizer identity, venue context, and Stuttgart location | High |
| Official GELATISSIMO news archive on event site | Official event archive | Historical participation references and topical themes | Medium to High |
| User-supplied known details | Provided event brief | Confirmed 2028 dates and city/country used for final report | Medium |
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