Judith van den Nieuwen­hui­jzen: A quiet office, a busy mind

Summer is gradually coming to an end. Colleagues are returning from vacation, calendars are filling up, and inboxes are quickly becoming crowded again. Fortunately, I still have a week in Spain to look forward to!

Until then, I have spent most of the summer close to home. Enjoying beautiful weather, barbecues, parties, drinks, and, above all, plenty of good company. Exactly what summer should be like, if you ask me. From a business perspective, I always have mixed feelings about this period. I like having activity around me: colleagues stopping by, deadlines, packed calendars, and conversations that spark new ideas. When offices are half empty, companies are harder to reach, and noticeably fewer emails arrive, things can sometimes feel almost a little dull.

Time to look ahead

But that quieter pace also has its benefits: it creates more time to look ahead. I have made good use of that time recently by focusing on Food Tech Event 2027. I have spoken with partners, exhibitors, and food manufacturers. We looked back at the previous edition, but our main focus was on what lies ahead.
What is happening in the market, and what challenges are food manufacturers facing? Which developments will truly make an impact in the coming years? And what will people need when they come together again at Food Tech Event on April 7 and 8, 2027?

Those conversations may well be my favorite part of the job. You start with a few questions, and before you know it, the discussion turns to automation, AI, energy consumption, food safety, staffing, or an entirely new technology. Every time, I go home with fresh insights, new ideas, and, above all, a great deal of energy.

A small preview

In 2027, that input will have an even more prominent place on the exhibition floor. We are introducing four new themed areas focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Water & Energy, Food Safety, and Future Tech.
These will not be areas where visitors simply stop by to look around, but places where knowledge and practical applications come together. They will feature live demonstrations and innovations, real-world examples, roundtable discussions, workshops, and case studies.

Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing more in this column about the conversations I am having and the hot topics in the food industry. Perhaps the vacation period is not as quiet as it seems after all. Sometimes, that quieter pace creates the space needed for the best new plans.

Judith van den Nieuwenhuijzen
Manager Food Tech Event