The International Food and Drink Event – IFE – returns to London’s ExCeL centre from 22-25 March, and with upwards of 27,000 visitors expected to attend, it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated grocery events of the year.
Over 1,200 exhibitors are set to pack into London’s ExCel centre for four days this March for IFE 2015, a reflection of the level of innovation taking place in the grocery sector at present.
IFE has been the UK’s largest and most respected food and drink trade event since 1979, with an unrivalled brand heritage and a critical mass of thousands of new products and over a thousand suppliers present. The event brings together the international food and drink community every two years to source new products, trade and keep pace with industry trends, while showcasing retailers’ appetite for fresh innovations and emerging producers. Visitors to the event comprise of key retail buyers, foodservice, wholesale & distribution, manufacturing and export markets.
The latest installment provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to discover inspiring menu ideas and the latest products to hit the market. One major theme at this year’s event will be a focus on the increasing importance of the ‘on-the-go’ food and drink market.
While the comprehensive range of exhibitors forms the centrepiece for the event, there’s also a lot more to IFE 2015, with the event hosting a huge educational programme.
The exhibition’s new features include the Small Producers Market, alongside plenty of new product launches to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, traditional favorites will return, which keep visitors and exhibitors coming back each year.
Organisers believe that IFE 2015 offers “a great chance to discover a unique perspective in this fast moving market, giving producers the chance to exhibit at one of the world’s most renowned international events, as well being a hub of opportunities for buyers and a huge inspiration for all visitors”. In addition to produce and brands, IFE 2015 will also showcase the latest technologies to influence and shape the industry.
IFE will host a packed agenda of seminar and Q&A sessions in The Hub, its dedicated seminar portal, with industry experts, such as Ian Noble, senior R&D director of PepsiCo, and Tim Smith, group quality director at Tesco sharing their thoughts on the future of the industry. The seminars and Q&A sessions will include topics such as ‘How Better Stores Can Improve Life For Customers’, with Debbie Robinson, managing director of SPAR UK, as well as ‘The Evolving Symbol Market – Future Proofing Retailers’, with Neil Turton, co-founder, Him! International
IFE 2015 has partnered with some of the industry’s most influential associations, including the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), the Food and Drink Federation, and Green Seed International, bringing a great diversity of insight from all areas of the food and beverage industry.
“We are privileged this year to have onboard some on the most trusted and renowned associations and industry experts,” says show director Chris McCuin. “We are working to provide both exhibitors and visitors a wealth of industry knowledge as well as making sure that everyone gets the most out of this year’s event.
“We hope that this year’s talks, demonstrations and stands will leave visitors and exhibitors, well and truly inspired.”
Staged at London’s ExCeL Centre and co-located with Waste-Works and Pro2Pac, IFE 2015 is spilt into nine sections: Speciality and Regional Food from Britain and Ireland, Cheese & Dairy, Meat & Seafood, Bakery & Confectionery, Ingredients, Health & Wellbeing, Drinks and General Food, covering every possible angle of interest for contract caterers.
This year’s event will bring together some of the biggest names in the industry offering unique networking and profiling opportunities. Make sure you register now to attend Europe’s leading industry event.
To find out more, visit the new look website www.ife.co.uk and follow the action on Twitter @IFEexhibition using #ife15.
