Gourmet Selection

What Gourmet Selection does

Gourmet Selection is a professional B2B trade show dedicated to fine food (épicerie fine) held annually over two days at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with the next edition scheduled for June 13–14, 2027. Founded in 2009 and organized by Comexposium Group (SAS, €60M share capital, headquartered in Courbevoie), the show brings together roughly 270 exhibitors representing 360 brands and 10,000 product references across five sectors (savoury grocery, sweet grocery, beverages, non-food, and services). It attracts about 5,500 professional entries from 13 countries, with visitors skewed toward delicatessens (49%), food retailers (24%), specialty retailers (16%), producers (8%), and foodservice (3%). The core product is physical booth rental complemented by à la carte visibility packages (e-invitations, smartphone scanning licences, lanyard exclusivity, social media posts, bag inserts), a freemium online badge system, and structured buyer matchmaking via the Top Acheteur programme and Rendez-vous d'affaires.

The portfolio extends beyond the two-day event through curated content and awards: the Best Of Competition (since 2013) recognises innovative fine food products under jury evaluation; L'Épicerie de Gourmet (since 2023) operates as an ephemeral retail experience within the venue; the Agora des Experts runs conferences and roundtables; and La Meilleure Epicerie de France and the Prix Initiatives Entreprises (2026) extend the editorial surface. A partnership with Ankorstore provides exhibitors with year-round digital B2B distribution to 300,000+ European independent retailers. The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: a Sitecore CMS website, a Typeform-based ticketing flow, and standard e-invitation tools. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary algorithms, or developer APIs are offered.

Gourmet Selection monetises primarily through exhibitor booth fees and communication add-ons, with a dedicated B2B sales team (Sales Director Léa Hirsch; Sales Managers Karine Allegrini and Florence Bernard covering distinct category portfolios) supported by an online exhibitor portal. Visitor access is free with pre-registration, removing demand-side friction. The brand is operated by Show Director Fernando Medina Zenoff and communications leads Jean-Gabriel Mollard and Isabelle Fabre. There is no external funding and no disclosed standalone revenue; the show operates as a business unit within Comexposium's diversified portfolio of professional events.

Name

Gourmet Selection

Legal name

COMEXPOSIUM

Website

https://salon-gourmet-selection.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gourmet Selection is France's annual B2B trade show for fine food, organized by Comexposium since 2009 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, serving ~270 exhibitors and 5,500 professional buyers from delicatessens, retailers, and foodservice across 13 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Show / Professional Events (Fine Food)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers (THAHABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food Festivals & Culinary Events (Ticketed Tastings, Pop-ups) (THAJAGAL)

Keywords

• B2B trade show
• Fine food exhibition
• Gourmet food fair
• Specialty food retail
• Food industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor booth fees: Exhibitors pay to reserve booth space at the trade show. Multiple stand formulas (Discovery Stand, Essential Module, Starter Module) are offered. All formulas include the exhibitor pack (catalogue registration, invitations, entry to Best Of competition, exhibitor badges), carpeting, partition walls, signage, socket outlet, daily cleaning, and insurance. Pricing is quote-based and managed through the exhibitor portal.
2. Communication and marketing tools: Exhibitors can purchase additional communication tools to boost visibility: e-invitations (10 for €50, 100 for €400, 500 for €1,000 VAT), smartphone license (€130 excl. VAT), bag distribution (€2,000 excl. VAT), document dispatch (€2,000 excl. VAT), lanyards exclusivity (€1,500 excl. VAT), and social media posts (€600 excl. VAT per post on Facebook and Instagram).
3. Visitor ticket fees: Professional visitors are required to order a badge to attend the show. The ticket is free for pre-registered visitors, with badge-based access for the 2-day event. Ticket prices are available on the fees page.
4. Marketplace partnership with Ankorstore: Through the Ankorstore partnership, exhibitors can list products on Ankorstore's B2B marketplace. Ankorstore charges 0% commission on sales (only 3% payment fees) and €49 per newly acquired client. Comexposium benefits from extended exhibitor value and year-round platform presence.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gourmet Selection is an annual 2-day B2B trade show dedicated to fine food (épicerie fine), held in Paris at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It connects 270+ exhibitors (producers and manufacturers of fine food products) with 5,500+ professional visitors (delicatessens, food retailers, specialty retailers, foodservice) from 13 countries, showcasing 10,000+ product references across 5 sectors (savoury, sweet, non-food, beverages, services). The event generates revenue through exhibitor booth rentals, communication tool sales, ticketing, and value-added programs such as the Best Of Competition, L'Épicerie de Gourmet experience, and the Ankorstore marketplace partnership.

Product overview

Gourmet Selection is France's leading professional trade show for fine food (épicerie fine), held annually at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles since 2009. The core offering centers on the 2-day trade show connecting 270+ exhibitors with 5,500+ professional visitors across 5 sectors: sweet grocery, savory grocery, beverages, non-food, and services. The product portfolio includes the flagship trade show, the Best Of Competition (since 2013) which awards innovative food products, and L'Épicerie de Gourmet (launched 2023) which is an ephemeral shop experience at the show. Additional offerings include Agora des Experts (conferences), the Top Acheteur buyer program, Rendez-vous d'affaires business meetings, and Communication Tools packages for exhibitor visibility. The Ankorstore marketplace partnership enables year-round digital B2B sales beyond the physical event. Supporting resources include ROI measurement guides, the 2026 Food Marketing Calendar, and awards programs including Prix Initiatives Entreprises and La Meilleure Epicerie de France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Le Salon des professionnels de l'épicerie fine: Main tagline describing the trade show as the professional fine food exhibition event
• Best Of Competition
• L'Épicerie de Gourmet
• Prix Initiatives Entreprises
• La Meilleure Epicerie de France

Products and services

• Gourmet Selection Trade Show France's leading professional trade show dedicated to fine food (épicerie fine), held annually over 2 days at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Connects producers and manufacturers with delicatessen buyers, food retailers, and specialty retailers across 5 sectors (savoury, sweet, non-food, beverages, services). The show has been held annually since 2009, with the next edition scheduled for June 13-14, 2027.
• Best Of Competition Annual product competition rewarding quality food products with real added value. Winners receive a media kit with logos for use on packaging and marketing. First product entry is free for exhibitors, with additional products at £350 excl. VAT per product (up to 4 products per exhibitor). Includes a partnership with Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet for special prize winners.
• L'Épicerie de Gourmet Ephemeral shop experience launched in 2023, located at the heart of the trade show. Provides exhibitors an opportunity to showcase their products on shelves and display stands for hands-on visitor experience.
• Agora des Experts Conference and expert forum providing insights on the fine food market, with conferences, workshops, and roundtables featuring experienced professionals. Educational content positioning the show as a knowledge hub for the fine food sector.
• Booth Formulas (Discovery Stand, Essential Module, Starter Module) Three booth formula options for exhibitors. All include exhibitor pack (catalogue registration, invitations, entry to Best Of competition, exhibitor badges), carpeting, partition walls, signboard, socket outlet, daily cleaning, and insurance. Pricing is quote-based and managed through the exhibitor portal.
• Exhibitor Communication Tools Marketing and visibility tools for exhibitors including e-invitations (10 units €50 VAT, 100 units €400 VAT, 500 units €1,000 VAT), smartphone licence for badge scanning (€130 excl. VAT), bag distribution (€2,000 excl. VAT), document dispatch for 4,000 flyers (€2,000 excl. VAT), lanyard exclusivity (€1,500 excl. VAT), and sponsored social media posts on Facebook and Instagram (€600 excl. VAT per post).
• Ankorstore Marketplace Partnership Year-round online B2B marketplace partnership allowing exhibitors to sell products digitally to 300,000+ European retailers. Features 0% commission on sales (only 3% payment fees), CRM tools, and logistics services via Ankorlogistics. Extends show distribution beyond the 2-day physical event.
• Top Acheteur Program Buyer program facilitating connections between qualified buyers and exhibitors at the trade show. Designed to drive qualified traffic to exhibitor booths.
• Rendez-vous d'affaires (Business Meetings) Structured business meeting service connecting exhibitors with qualified buyers during the trade show through pre-scheduled B2B appointments.
• Prix Initiatives Entreprises (Business Initiatives Award) Award recognizing innovative initiatives by companies in the fine food sector. New award introduced in the 2026 show programme.
• La Meilleure Epicerie de France (Best French Fine Food Retailer) Competition recognizing and celebrating the best fine food retail establishments in France. Open to independent fine food shops.
• Visitor Badge / Ticketing System Online badge registration system for professional visitors. Pre-registration is free; badges give access to both days of the event and the Cheese and Dairy Products Show.
• ROI Measurement Guide Practical guide and checklist for exhibitors to measure return on investment from trade show participation, including contact tracking, lead qualification, and post-show follow-up.
• 2026 Food Marketing Calendar Marketing planning tool highlighting holidays, seasonal events, and special occasions to help exhibitors coordinate campaigns and point-of-sale animations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ industry professionals meet over 2 days
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• AnkorstorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnkorstore, Europe's leading B2B marketplace connecting brands and independent retailers (300,000+ merchants, 30,000+ brands across ~30 countries), is the designated marketplace partner for Gourmet Selection. Exhibitors can sell products year-round on Ankorstore's platform (0% commission on sales; only 3% payment fees). Ankorstore also offers logistics services (Ankorlogistics) and CRM tools for exhibitors.
• BPA AgencysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBPA is the designated press agency for Gourmet Selection. Press contacts include Caroline Stum and Julie Enault. BPA handles media relations, press release distribution, and journalist inquiries on behalf of the show.
• Epiciers de FrancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation representing independent fine food retailers in France. Partner of Gourmet Selection, promoting the show to its member network of epicerie fine shops across France.
• Le Monde de l'Epicerie FinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade publication/media outlet dedicated to the fine food industry. Partner of Gourmet Selection, likely providing media coverage and audience reach within the epicerie fine community.
• Saveurs CommercesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade media organization covering the fine food and specialty retail sector in France. Partner of Gourmet Selection, promoting the show to its readership and network.
• StockfoodsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStockfood is an image/photo bank specializing in food photography. Listed as a partner providing imagery for the show's communications and website.
• Galeries Lafayette Le GourmetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGaleries Lafayette Le Gourmet is a partner prize sponsor for the Best Of competition. Award winners receive visibility and product listings at the Le Gourmet store in Paris Haussmann. The partnership provides high-profile retail exposure for winning exhibitors.
• DelicatessesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian trade magazine for the food and delicatessen sector. Partner of Gourmet Selection, promoting the show to its audience in Belgium and French-speaking regions.
• GondolasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian trade publication covering the food and retail industry. Partner of Gourmet Selection, extending the show's reach to Belgian retailers and buyers.
• Saber y SaborminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade media outlet focused on food and hospitality. Partner of Gourmet Selection.
• Petits CommercesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting independent local shops in France. Partner of Gourmet Selection, helping promote the show to independent retailers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sirha (GL Events): Major global B2B trade show for foodservice, hospitality, and food retail, organized by GL Events. Broad incumbent versus Gourmet Selection; focuses on the foodservice/HORECA segment of food and beverage rather than retail-focused fine grocery.
• SIAL Paris: One of the world's largest general food industry trade fairs, also organized by Comexposium (Gourmet Selection's parent). Broad incumbent serving all food industry segments (retail, foodservice, wholesale) rather than Gourmet Selection's specialized fine food retail channel.
• Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris: Major B2B wine and beverage trade shows organized by Comexposium. Broad incumbent in beverage exhibitions; comparable as a sibling event in Comexposium's portfolio of fine food and beverage B2B events serving retail buyers with similar profiles.
• BIOFACH (NürnbergMesse): World's leading trade fair for organic food, organized by NürnbergMesse. Broad incumbent in the fine/specialty food trade show space but with much wider geographic and category reach (organic + bio-related segments) than Gourmet Selection's épicerie fine focus.

Others

• Ankorstore: Europe's leading B2B marketplace connecting brands with 300,000+ independent retailers across 30 countries. Other/strategic partner that extends Gourmet Selection's reach beyond the 2-day physical event into year-round digital B2B sales for exhibitors at 0% sales commission.
• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): Major global B2B exhibition organizer with broad food industry presence. Other/exhibition conglomerate operating in the same trade show ecosystem, though with larger and more diversified global event portfolios spanning many industries.
• Informa Markets: Global events conglomerate operating numerous food and hospitality trade shows (Speciality & Fine Food Fair licensees outside the UK, FOOD&HOTEL Asia, etc.). Other/exhibition conglomerate operating in the same trade show ecosystem as Gourmet Selection but with a much larger and more diversified portfolio.

Direct peers

• Speciality & Fine Food Fair: UK's leading B2B trade fair for fine food and drink, organized by Fresh Montgomery. Direct peer to Gourmet Selection as both serve the same specialty/delicatessen retail buyer profile and showcase premium artisanal producers over a multi-day trade event format.
• Fancy Food Show (Specialty Food Association): North America's largest B2B specialty food trade event, organized by the Specialty Food Association. Direct peer as it connects artisanal and premium food producers with retail buyers, distributors, and foodservice professionals under a comparable trade show plus product competition model.
• Tavola: Belgian biennial B2B trade fair for fine food and foodservice. Direct peer to Gourmet Selection as both target the same independent retail and hospitality channels in the Benelux region with similar exhibitor profiles and visitor demographics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GourmetSelection
• Facebookfacebook.com/GourmetSelection
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/13038478
• Instagraminstagram.com/gourmetselection

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gourmet Selection