Tavola Xpo 2028 – Premium Food & Drink Trade Fair Belgium

What to expect in 2028

Tavola Xpo 2028 will bring the international premium food and beverage industry together at Kortrijk Xpo in Kortrijk, Belgium. The trade fair is scheduled for 12–14 March 2028 and is strictly aimed at professionals working in fine food and beverages. The event connects producers, brands, importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality businesses, foodservice professionals and other industry decision-makers.

Tavola is focused on premium, innovative and specialist food rather than being a general consumer food festival. Visitors can discover established brands alongside emerging producers and new products designed for retail, hospitality and foodservice markets.

The exhibition covers a particularly broad range of categories, including delicatessen products, prepared dishes, beverages, coffee and tea, frozen foods, sauces and dressings, meat, seafood, dairy, confectionery, bakery products, organic products, vegan and vegetarian foods, sustainable products, ethnic foods and private-label concepts.

The 2028 edition is expected to continue the fair’s focus on craftsmanship, authenticity, innovation, premium quality and new consumer trends. The detailed programme will be released by the organisers as preparations progress.

Event dates

Tavola Xpo 2028 will take place from 12–14 March 2028 at Kortrijk Xpo in Kortrijk, Belgium. The official Tavola website has confirmed the 2028 edition and describes it as a three-day trade fair for premium food and drinks.

The exact daily programme for 2028 has not yet been published. Based on the previous edition, visitors can expect a combination of exhibition hours, product presentations, tasting sessions, inspiration talks, networking opportunities and special events.

The previous edition operated from 10:00 to 19:00 on the first two exhibition days and from 10:00 to 18:00 on the final day. These times provide useful guidance but should not be treated as the confirmed 2028 schedule.

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Venue & exhibition site

Tavola Xpo 2028 will be held at Kortrijk Xpo, Doorniksesteenweg 216, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. The official practical information identifies Halls 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 as the exhibition halls used for Tavola.

Kortrijk Xpo is a large professional exhibition complex designed for major trade fairs and business events. Tavola uses several halls to create a large-scale marketplace for premium food and beverage products.

The exhibition environment allows buyers and industry professionals to move between established brands, independent producers, international exhibitors and specialist product categories.

The venue is also supported by restaurants, visitor facilities, parking areas and transport connections, making it suitable for professional visitors travelling from Belgium and neighbouring countries.

Full event programme

The full Tavola Xpo 2028 programme has not yet been announced. The previous edition demonstrates the type of professional content that can form part of the fair.

The 2026 programme included the Golden Tavola competition, tasting classes, Inspiration Talks, seminars, networking events and a Foodservice Alliance conference.

The 2028 programme is expected to cover several key areas:

• Premium food and beverage product discovery
• New product presentations
• Golden Tavola innovation programme
• Food and beverage tastings
• Industry inspiration talks
• Retail and foodservice trends
• Business networking
• Buyer-supplier meetings
• Specialist seminars
• Product demonstrations
• International food concepts
• Sustainable and health-focused products

The programme is particularly valuable for buyers because the exhibition and educational content can be combined during the same professional visit.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

The 2028 speaker line-up has not yet been announced. Tavola does not operate primarily as a conventional large-scale conference; instead, its educational programme is built around Inspiration Talks, seminars, industry events, tasting sessions and specialist presentations.

Previous programming included contributions connected with Gault&Millau, Gondola Academy, Foodservice Alliance and 20/CENT Retail. The 2026 Inspiration Talks addressed subjects including food trends and future products.

The previous programme also featured specialists such as Vincent Panneels, Ann Guillemyn and Regine Van Tomme in an Inspiration Talk focused on food trends.

Visitors interested in speakers should check the official programme once the 2028 schedule is released, as names and topics can change between editions.

Conference sessions & tracks

Tavola’s conference-style content is closely connected to the food and beverage industry’s commercial and consumer trends.

Previous sessions included:

• Food trends
• Products of the future
• Retail developments
• Foodservice
• Consumer behaviour
• Mystery shopping insights
• Premium product innovation
• Sustainability
• New product discovery
• Hospitality and catering trends

The 2026 programme also included a Foodservice Alliance conference focused on the next generation of hospitality and a seminar examining mystery shopper findings.

For 2028, visitors can expect the educational programme to reflect current developments in premium food, retail, hospitality, foodservice, sustainability, innovation and changing consumer preferences.

Session times & schedule

The detailed 2028 session timetable has not yet been released. Visitors should therefore treat the previous edition’s schedule as a reference rather than a confirmed timetable.

In 2026, the exhibition operated from 10:00 to 19:00 on the first two days and until 18:00 on the final day. The programme included activities at different locations around Kortrijk Xpo, including the Tasting Hub, Rambla, meeting rooms and exhibition halls.

Previous tasting sessions generally occupied dedicated time slots, allowing visitors to attend presentations without leaving the main exhibition environment.

Once the 2028 programme is published, professional visitors should use the official schedule to identify the most relevant talks, tastings, networking events and product presentations.

Ticket types & registration

Tavola is a professional trade fair and registration is mandatory for visitors. Access is restricted to professionals active in the food sector, and visitors must be able to demonstrate their professional status at the entrance.

Professional visitors who register online with an invitation code can receive free admission. Invitation codes may be supplied by exhibitors, through advertising or by the organisers.

Visitors without an invitation code were charged €40 in the previous edition. Converted to USD at approximately €1 = $1.17, this is about $46.80 per person.

The 2028 admission price has not yet been announced, so the previous-edition amount should be treated as provisional rather than a confirmed 2028 price.

Final-year students may also request access when accompanied by a teacher, subject to organiser approval.

Registration deadlines

The official 2028 visitor registration deadline has not yet been announced.

Visitors should register as soon as the official registration system opens, particularly if they need an invitation code, company verification or travel arrangements.

The Golden Tavola competition has separate exhibitor registration requirements. In 2026, participating companies had to register through the exhibitor portal, with a maximum of five products per company. The previous competition entry fee was €300 excluding VAT per product, equivalent to approximately $351.00.

The 2028 competition rules and deadlines will be announced separately and should be checked by exhibitors intending to submit products.

Exhibitor list & major companies

The 2028 exhibitor list has not yet been published. Tavola’s previous exhibitor base demonstrates the international and specialist character of the fair.

The 2026 edition brought together 484 exhibitors representing 15 countries, while trade visitors came from 25 countries. The organisers reported 15,977 fine food professionals attending the edition.

The previous exhibitor directory included companies and brands such as:

• Barilla
• Bonne Maman
• Bonduelle
• Chimay
• Colman’s
• De Cecco
• Délifrance
• Gimber
• Gruyère AOP
• Knorr
• MOWI
• Dammann
• Belberry
• Caffè Morandini
• Bresc
• BeKombucha
• Croquette Club
• Damse Kaasmakerij
• Beauvoordse Walhoeve

These are examples from the previous edition and should not be interpreted as confirmed 2028 exhibitors.

The final 2028 exhibitor directory will provide the most accurate information for companies attending the new edition.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

Tavola 2028 is scheduled to use Halls 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 at Kortrijk Xpo.

The detailed 2028 floor plan and stand allocations have not yet been published. The previous edition used different halls for different aspects of the exhibition, with product displays, tasting activities and special programme areas distributed throughout the venue.

Hall 5 previously hosted the Golden Tavola competition display, where visitors could discover winning and nominated innovations.

A final interactive exhibitor map is expected to become available closer to the 2028 fair. Professional visitors should use the official floor plan to locate suppliers, brands, product categories and meeting points.

Networking & business meetings

Business networking is one of Tavola’s central purposes. The fair brings together buyers, managers and decision-makers from retail, wholesale, foodservice, restaurants, catering, specialty stores and import/export businesses.

The visitor profile includes purchasing centres, supermarkets, hypermarkets, wholesalers, importers, exporters, delicatessen stores, butchers, caterers, dairies, fishmongers, drinks merchants, greengrocers, chocolate and confectionery stores, bakeries, restaurants and commercial kitchens.

Tavola also provides opportunities for existing suppliers and buyers to reconnect while allowing professionals to discover new companies and products.

Previous editions included dedicated networking events, including an industry networking event organised by Fenavian and Brema.

Industry sectors & highlights

Tavola covers a wide spectrum of premium food and beverage sectors.

Major product categories include:

• Potato products, fruit and vegetables
• Prepared meals and catering products
• Delicatessen products and specialties
• Frozen foods
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Coffee and tea
• Dry foods
• Herbs, oils, sauces and dressings
• Vegan and vegetarian products
• Fish and seafood
• Meat, poultry and game
• Confectionery
• Bread and pastries
• Dairy products

Additional themes include organic food, functional food, allergen-free and gluten-free products, sustainable food, halal and kosher products, novel foods, private labels, ethnic foods, regional products and seasonal products.

The 2026 edition highlighted growing interest in artisanal products, authentic production, sustainability, transparent sourcing, premium convenience foods and international flavour combinations.

Event rules & visitor information

Tavola is strictly a professional trade fair. Visitors must be able to identify themselves as professionals working in the food industry when entering the exhibition. Registration is compulsory.

General consumer access is not the focus of the event. The professional character of the fair is actively monitored, helping maintain a business-focused environment for exhibitors and buyers.

Visitors should bring their registration confirmation and appropriate professional identification.

Exhibitors also receive separate access credentials and are subject to the organiser’s exhibition rules, stand regulations and technical requirements.

Visitors should consult the official 2028 regulations before attending because access procedures, opening hours, security requirements and other practical conditions can be updated for each edition.

How to get there

Kortrijk Xpo is located at Doorniksesteenweg 216, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. The exhibition centre is accessible by car, train, bus, bicycle and taxi.

For drivers, Kortrijk Xpo recommends using President Kennedylaan 100 as the parking navigation address. Signage and parking attendants help direct visitors toward available parking areas during busy events.

International visitors can travel to Belgium through major airports and continue to Kortrijk by train, taxi or other ground transport.

The venue’s location also makes it practical for visitors staying in Kortrijk city centre or travelling from other Belgian cities.

Public transport & parking

Kortrijk railway station is the nearest major station. From the station, bus lines 1, 2 and 10 connect with the Kortrijk Xpo stop.

During previous Tavola editions, a free shuttle connected Kortrijk station with Kortrijk Xpo during exhibition hours. The exact 2028 shuttle arrangements should be confirmed closer to the fair.

Kortrijk Xpo’s standard trade-fair parking rate is €9, equivalent to approximately $10.53. This is the current venue rate and should be checked against the specific 2028 Tavola parking information.

Electric vehicle charging facilities are available at several parking areas around the venue, including charging points and a Tesla fast-charging station.

Accommodation areas

Kortrijk is the most convenient accommodation base for Tavola visitors because the city provides direct access to Kortrijk Xpo and its surrounding transport network.

Recommended areas include:

• Kortrijk city centre
• Stationsbuurt around Kortrijk railway station
• Kortrijk Xpo surroundings
• Marke
• Kuurne
• Harelbeke
• Wevelgem

Visitors who want easy access to restaurants and evening business meetings may prefer central Kortrijk, while those travelling by car can consider accommodation around the wider Kortrijk area.

The official Tavola visitor information also directs visitors toward hotel accommodation options in Kortrijk and the surrounding region.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous Tavola edition was held at Kortrijk Xpo and attracted 15,977 fine food professionals from Belgium and abroad. The event featured 484 exhibitors from 15 countries and trade visitors from 25 countries.

The organisers reported strong interest in craftsmanship, authenticity, innovation and premium taste experiences. Artisanal products, sustainable production, transparent sourcing, premium convenience foods and international delicacies were among the trends highlighted after the event.

The Golden Tavola competition was another major attraction. Its categories included Taste & Craftsmanship, Convenience, Premium & Pleasure, Health & Balance and Sustainability, with a Visitors’ Choice award allowing trade visitors to vote for a preferred innovation.

Examples of recognised products included water buffalo milk yoghurts and desserts, roasted sesame dressing, Mocaccino, functional Gutlings drinks and Renett sparkling apple juice.

The educational programme also included tasting classes, Inspiration Talks, seminars, networking events and foodservice-focused sessions, creating a combination of product discovery and professional learning.

Official registration & tickets

Registration for Tavola Xpo 2028 should be completed through the official Tavola registration system once it opens.

The fair is exclusively for food professionals, and registration is mandatory. Professionals with a valid invitation code have previously received free admission, while visitors without an invitation code paid approximately $46.80 based on the previous €40 admission charge.

The 2028 price has not yet been announced, so the previous-edition amount should only be used as a provisional guide.

Exhibitors should use the official exhibitor portal for participation, stand information and product submissions. The Golden Tavola competition also has a separate registration process for eligible exhibitors.

Official event information and registration are available through the Tavola website: Tavola Xpo official website (https://www.tavola-xpo.be/)

For professional enquiries, the organiser lists +32 56 24 11 11 and tavola@kortrijkxpo.com as contact details.