The project to renovate the Porte de Versailles exhibition complex – which began in May 2015 – is well underway, and the first changes are now taking shape. Viparis is working tirelessly to bolster the site's appeal and to transform it into a vibrant and living venue. As part of this, food services play a key role, and customers have high expectations.
Striking a perfect balance between the best local restaurants and a portfolio of renowned international brands, Areas won the Viparis tender in 2016. The company, which is a global leader in food and beverage services and travel retail, was awarded an exclusive 11-year contract to supply food services to Paris expo Porte de Versailles. Across 40 points of sale, Areas will provide a unique and exclusive offering in harmony with the complex's goal – to become a 'permanent universal exposition'.
In the words of Pablo Nakhlé Cerruti, Deputy Director of Viparis, "Our goal is to offer our visitors a range of contemporary catering services in line with the positioning of the exhibition complex – innovative, customized, quality-focused, digital and sustainable. Our focus is on urban brands, and we offer modular units based on the size of events. We also include temporary food services to match each event that will appeal as much to Parisians as to our B2B and B2C customers."
Alexandre de Palmas, CEO of Areas for France and Northern Europe, added: "As a long-time partner of Viparis, Areas has a unique set of skills when it comes to exhibition complexes, providing appealing, contemporary food services that can be customized to match the nature and scope of each trade show. We are proud to play a part in Viparis's transformation of the complex. Together, we will position Paris expo Porte de Versailles as the most forward-looking international events site in terms of innovative and digital food service offerings."
The opening of the Maison Pradier stand on December 1, 2016 kicked off the new Areas offer. McDonald’s and Paul, both internationally-known brands, have designed site-specific outlets for Paris expo Porte de Versailles. The McDonald’s will have table service, premium products, a salad bar, an ice cream stand and a McCafé. Paul will feature an innovation café with weekly events centered around an industrial-sized dough-mixer.
Throughout 2017, Areas will open some thirty French and international food service brands, such as La Place, Red d’Hippo, Déli&Cia, MasQMenos, Marguerite du Pré, Super Wild Coffee, and more.
In the form of stationary, temporary and ambulatory points of sale, these brands can adapt to the size of every event, and will feature a digital component for the benefit of target customers (exhibitors, organizers and visitors).