Ahead of SIAL Paris Fall Trade Show, New Acting Director Appointed

SIAL Paris has made executive changes before its October international food show.

The international SIAL Paris food show hosts a variety of food and beverage sector exhibitors, including fresh and frozen meat, dairy, deli, seafood, produce and grains.

To ensure continuity during preparations for the 2026 edition of the trade show, Jean-Gabriel Mollard, currently Director of Marketing and Communications, has been appointed Acting Director of SIAL Paris. After eight years at Comexposium, including four and a half years as Director of SIAL Paris, Audrey Ashworth has decided to pursue a new career path.

This appointment is part of Comexposium’s strategy to strengthen synergies across its Food & Beverage portfolio, which is now grouped within a dedicated division led by Rodolphe Lameyse. The initiative is designed to support the continued growth of its brands while creating greater value for exhibitors, partners and visitors.

The Comexposium Group expressed its appreciation for Audrey Ashworth’s dedication, professionalism and the pivotal role she played in the growth of SIAL Paris. Under her leadership, the trade show expanded its international reach and further strengthened its position as a must-attend event for the global agri-food industry.

“Audrey has supported SIAL Paris with dedication and conviction for several years, and on behalf of the entire Group, I would like to sincerely thank her for her work and for her contribution to the growth of this iconic brand. We wish her every success in her new projects,” said Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Comexposium’s Food & Beverage division.

To ensure immediate continuity in preparations for the 2026 edition, Jean-Gabriel Mollard will work closely with the SIAL Paris team, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the event, its organization and its broader ecosystem. Through his leadership of marketing for the SIAL Network’s 12 trade shows, he brings valuable cross-functional experience that will help maintain the event’s schedule and strategic priorities.

“With just a few months to go before SIAL Paris 2026, we are approaching this new phase with determination and high standards. I know I can count on the dedication and expertise of Jean-Gabriel Mollard and his teams to make this upcoming edition a major event serving the entire agri-food sector.

“We are continuing to follow the same course: SIAL Paris must continue to fulfill its role as a key driver in supporting the industry as it addresses challenges related to competitiveness, exports and processing,” concluded Rodolphe Lameyse.

Jean-Gabriel Mollard added:

“In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Audrey Ashworth on preparing and developing SIAL Paris, which means I’m able to take on this new responsibility with confidence and peace of mind. Working with all of our fully committed teams, we will build on this momentum to create a magnificent 2026 event for our exhibitors, partners and visitors.”

About SIAL Paris

Organized by Comexposium, SIAL Paris is the world’s largest professional food trade fair, bringing together approximately 8,000 exhibitors and showcasing more than 400,000 products every two years.

As one of the industry’s leading business events, SIAL Paris provides a global platform for innovation, networking and insight into emerging food and beverage trends.

The event is part of the SIAL Network, the world’s largest network of food and beverage trade shows, encompassing events in Paris, Canada, China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Algeria. Collectively, the network brings together approximately 17,000 exhibitors and 700,000 professionals from 205 countries.

The next edition of SIAL Paris will take place October 17–21, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte.

About Comexposium

Comexposium is one of the world’s leading organizers of professional and consumer events.

The Group organizes approximately 400 trade shows, exhibitions and business events in 80 major cities across 24 countries.

Through its Food & Beverage Division, Comexposium manages internationally recognized brands including the SIAL Network, Wine Paris, Gourmet Selection, the Cheese & Dairy Show, Le Salon Mondial du Chocolat and Djazagro. These events collectively attract nearly 1.5 million attendees and 26,000 exhibitors across more than 35 events worldwide.

Headquartered in Greater Paris, Comexposium employs approximately 1,200 people and received the Positive Company® CSR certification in 2025.