The annual event organized for bakers, confectioners, pastry chefs, gelato makers, chefs and more – the GastroPan exhibition – will take place next spring between 19-21 March 2026, in Romania, Sibiu city, Redal Expo. The location is not new, having hosted the exhibition in 2017. However, it offers two exhibition halls and spatious outdoor areas where exhibitors can present their products and services in an appropriate manner and visitors can see and compare everything on display.
Emerging trends, innovative solutions and global products will be exhibited at the exhibition stands, being an event for business meetings, product launches and exchanges of ideas between experts and entrepreneurs from all over the country and abroad.
Shortly, the 17th edition of the GastroPan 2026 exhibition brings:
• Three exhibition days full of opportunities, technologies, sharing of ideas and exploration of current trends in the field
• Over 100 exhibitors from the country and abroad – old, but also new – with world renown who exhibit their latest products and services
• Over 20.000 visitors including engineers, administrators, unit managers, directors, confectioners, bakers, cake decorators, gelato makers, chefs, chef assistants etc. who are looking for the latest innovations in the field
• Over 24 years of experience through the specialty magazines Baker-Confectioner and Gastromedia which represent a bridge with specialists
• Over 11 years of organizing training and qualification courses with new topics and requested by students who have kept the national and international branches connected.
KEY DATES ABOUT GASTROPAN 2026:
Industry: bakery, pastry, confectionery, gelato, chocolate, milling, pizza, HoReca
Date: 19-21 March 2026
Location: Romania, Sibiu city, Redal Expo
Schedule: Thursday and Friday (10:00-18:00), Saturday (10:00-17:00)
Exhibitors: manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, raw materials, ingredients, technologies, services, solutions for the industry - registrations have started!
Visitors: administrators, managers, entrepreneurs, directors, engineers, bakers, confectioners, students etc.
Access: by invitation/visitor registration form.
New businesses opened through non-refundable European funds
In recent years, there have been many funding opportunities for entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey, especially through non-fundable European funding programs. These have greatly helped the development of businesses in Romania by providing financial support for various activities – which have brought added value to local and national communities.
Many start-ups and micro-enterprises have managed to open their doors thanks to European funds for activities such as:
• Modernization of guesthouses and diversification of customer services
• Production and processing by purchasing modern machinery and equipment
• Technology, software, IT and implementation of applications, online platforms and digital services.
The following have been successful:
• Artisanal bakeries and pastry shops, which have been able to invest in modern machinery and innovative recipes
• Cafés and small restaurants, oriented towards local and sustainable products
• Small rural tourism and agro-tourism businesses, which have transformed traditional households into guesthouses
• Food processing units (milk, meat, fruit) which have increased the added value of agricultural products.
The success of a bakery or confectionery does not only depend on the financing obtained, but also on the well-structured business plan, the entrepreneur's ability to manage his resources and adapt to customer requirements. The most current trend shows that more and more young people are choosing to start their journey in this field with the support of non-refundable funds which can contribute in the long term to economic growth and reducing the labor shortage.
Many of those who start their businesses with the support of European non-refundable funds choose to participate in GastroPan to find inspiration, innovative solutions and modern equipment.
At such events, visitors can:
• Test state-of-the-art technologies for bakeries, pastry shops and confectioneries
• Discover ideas for diversifying products and services
• Talk directly with specialists and consultants who can provide practical advice on the implementation of funded projects
• Conclude advantageous partnerships with manufacturers and distributors.
Thus, GastroPan is not only a promotion space, but also a starting point for numerous entrepreneurial initiatives, contributing to the transformation of ideas financed from non-refundable funds into successful businesses.
Over time, numerous businesses financed from non-refundable European funds have been inspired or strengthened by participating in GastroPan.
For example, several artisan bakeries in rural areas accessed funds for the purchase of modern ovens and production lines, after discovering equipment adapted to their needs at the exhibition. Thus, they managed to combine tradition with technology and diversify their products, attracting new customers. Also at GastroPan, entrepreneurs learned how they can develop confectioneries with their own laboratory using solutions presented by exhibitors: from machines for cake creams and artisanal ice cream to modern design concepts for sales spaces. Many of them later applied to European funding programs and managed to launch their business.
European funds for the modernization of existing bakeries
An important aspect to note is that the non-refundable European funds are not only intended for those who are opening a business for the first time, but also for those who already have a bakery, pastry shop or confectionery shop and want to bring it up to modern standards. Many existing units can modernize their production lines, purchase state-of-the-art equipment or diversify the range of products with the help of these grants. Therefore, participation in exhibitions such as GastroPan is also essential for existing entrepreneurs who can discover exactly what type of investment would bring them a real advantage through the available funds.
Generations of families – the future of the bakery and confectionery industry at GastroPan 2026
Another interesting aspect is related to the exchange between generations. More and more young people are choosing to take over family businesses – bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants or small workshops – from their parents or grandparents and carry them on, but in a modernized form.
For this new generation of entrepreneurs, the GastroPan exhibition represents a real chance to bring a new breath of fresh air. If grandparents or parents built the business with limited resources, children now have access to modern technologies, high-performance equipment and know-how acquired including at the GastroPan exhibition.
Thus, tradition is intertwined with innovation: inherited recipes are preserved, but production processes become more efficient, products more varied and presentation and marketing more attractive for younger generations of consumers.
Advantages for returning exhibitors
GastroPan gathers exhibitors every year who participate with the latest technologies and products, making it an event that they cannot miss staying in touch with existing and new customers. For them, the advantages are the following:
• Audience loyalty – visitors already know them and are waiting to see what the exhibitors have to offer which strengthens the relationship between them
• Brand consolidation – the company's presence year after year increases the company's visibility and positioning in the industry
• Customer portfolio growth – even if there are some visitors who already know them, new visitors have the opportunity to get in touch with the exhibitors and increase the base of partners and contracts
• Continuous feedback – exhibitors present can follow the trends that differ every year and can improve their products and services based on the requirements of those present
• Greater trust – a company that participates annually transmits seriousness and long-term stability.
Advantages for new exhibitors
There are many small companies that have innovative products and services in their portfolio, but have not participated in international exhibitions. For them, participation brings a plus through:
• Direct entry into the market – the exhibition is known in the country and not only, being intended exclusively for the bakery, confectionery and HoReCa industries, this means quick access to the target audience
• Testing products and solutions – by participating, you can find out the reaction of customers and partners and improve future products before launch
• Greater visibility – presence brings immediate exposure and rapid recognition in the industry
• New partners – even if not at the moment, but in the long term it will lead to the formation of new contracts, sales or collaborations
• Access to know-how and inspiration – as first time exhibitors, they can learn directly from the examples and strategies of competitors or partners.
GastroPan visitor profile
Visitors come mainly from key areas of the bakery, confectionery and HoReCa industries and represent:
• Entrepreneurs and owners of bakeries, pastry shops, confectionery shops – looking for modern equipment, solutions for product diversification and ideas for business development
• Managers and representatives of restaurants, hotels and cafés (HoReCa) – interested in new technologies, ingredients and concepts that will bring them a competitive advantage
• Young entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey – many of them financed by European funds, come for inspiration, contacts and solutions adapted to their budget
• Suppliers and distributors – looking for partnerships and collaboration opportunities
• Professionals and enthusiasts in the field – interested in trends, live demonstrations and know-how
• Students, pupils from schools, high schools and faculties.
What visitors are looking for at GastroPan
Visitors who come to GastroPan come with the desire to discover something new, to find inspiration for modern products and concepts that will differentiate them in the market. They are looking for high-performance technologies and equipment capable of streamlining their work and reducing their expenses, as well as quality ingredients that will give them the freedom to innovate in their own recipes.
At the same time, many of them want as much knowledge as possible: they want to learn from specialists how they can develop their business, how they can access funds or how they can make their brand more visible. And, perhaps most importantly, visitors come to find reliable partners – suppliers, distributors or collaborators – with whom to build lasting relationships and solid businesses.
Why it is important for exhibitors to connect with visitors
• Building direct relationships
One of the biggest advantages of attending GastroPan is face-to-face interaction. In a world where digital communication is increasingly important, direct contact remains the most effective way to build trust. A personal discussion, a live demonstration or even a handshake can pave the way for solid and long-term partnerships.
• Understanding the real needs of the market
Visitors do not just come to admire, but also to ask questions, compare and demand solutions. For exhibitors, this dialogue is a valuable source of immediate feedback which helps them better understand current requirements and customer challenges. This way, products and services can be quickly adjusted, depending on what the market really demands.
• Generating sales and contracts
GastroPan is not only a place for promotion, but also a space where deals are concluded on the spot. Direct meetings with decision-makers – entrepreneurs, managers, investors – increase the chances of turning a simple interest into a concrete contract. GastroPan often becomes the starting point for profitable and long-term collaborations.
• Creating a professional community
Continuous participation in GastroPan means more than just exposure. It helps build a united community of professionals, where exhibitors and visitors share experiences, ideas and best practices. This professional network strengthens the brand and consolidates a company’s position in the industry.
• Identifying trends
Another great benefit is direct access to the pulse of the market. Exhibitors can see which stands are attracting the most visitors which products are most in demand and which topics are of interest to visitors. This real-time visualization of trends helps companies anticipate development directions and align their strategy with the demands of the future.
Booth reservations at GastroPan 2026 has begun!
Participating as an exhibitor at GastroPan 2026 means more than visibility – it means direct connection with the target audience, real-time product testing and concrete business opportunities.
The new location at Redal Expo, Sibiu city, provides an ideal setting for complex stands, live demonstrations and relevant interactions with professionals from across the country and abroad.
Book your stand in advance and enjoy the advantages of positioning yourself in one of the most important profile events in Southeastern Europe.
More information: +40 733 313 042 |
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