ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR TASTE:
THE FOURTH EDITION CHALKED UP 8,000 VISITORS TO THE STAZIONE LEOPOLDA, AND THE CITY WAS ALIVE WITH THE FUORI DI TASTE EVENTS

The TASTE journey through the world of Italian excellence in foods and food-related products concluded with yet another success. The fourth edition of the event (Florence, 14-16 March 2009) closed in an atmosphere of overall satisfaction. Approximately 8,000 visitors flocked to the Stazione Leopolda (versus 7,300 at the last edition) during three intense days of tasting sessions, debates and presentations flanked by this edition’s great innovation: Fuori di Taste (from 12 to 16 March), with a program of over 40 events dedicated to taste in just as many locations around the city.

“We are very satisfied with the way TASTE has grown”, says Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine, “and this edition’s results are further confirmation. The 170 plus exhibitors have proved how unique TASTE is among events of this kind, both in terms of the product selection and our presentation and tasting-session formulas. And, there is still further proof in the number of operators who attended: buyer turnout at the Leopolda was up 33% with respect to the last edition. This means that TASTE is becoming an increasingly important reference point not only for aficionados, but also for businesses tied to eno-gastronomic excellence”. 

The institutional stands representing the Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forest Policy [Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali], and the Tuscan Regional Government attracted many visitors and received a due share of compliments.

During the fair, the first edition of the Fuori di Taste [Beyond Taste] program received an incredible amount of attention on the part of the general public and media, to the point that applications to participate in the next edition are already coming in. “It is precisely for this reason”, concludes Agostino Poletto, deputy general manager of Pitti Immagine, “that for 2010 we are planning a true week dedicated to taste here in Florence”. 

And a bright marginal note at the end: the Taste Shop, the big store for shopping at the end of the fair itinerary sold approximately 15,000 items in just three days!