With a fresh new look, revised layout and interactive programme of events, IFE13 – the UK’s premier food and drink exhibition – is set to excite the industry when it returns in March next year / this year.
As the world faces ongoing economic challenges, the food and drink sector remains buoyant. The market continues to be driven by new product innovation and a dynamic retail and foodservice industry that steers and responds to trends. IFE13 will bring together key decision-makers and influencers to discuss hot new trends, debate key topics and showcase the latest product innovations, all under one roof.
With over 1,200 exhibitors expected at the show, opportunities to do business will be plentiful. Well-loved international and local brands, such as Tabasco, California Raisins, Burts Potato Chips, Abergavenny Fine Foods, Tipiak and Peppadew, have already signed up, and there is a raft of first-time exhibitors attending from countries as far ranging as Morocco, Japan, Italy, Sweden and the USA, as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Action Packed
IFE13 is putting visitor attractions at the heart of the show floor, delivering original concepts that will not only bring the event to life, but also encourage attendee participation and inspire debate. In particular, the exhibition will host not one, but two pizza championships in partnership with Campionato Modiale della Pizza on the Meet the World stage.
The European Final of Giropizza of Europe will take place on Tuesday 19th March and will see up to 80 competitors in an exciting quick-fire pizza making competition. In just 10 minutes, Europe’s leading pizza chefs will have to make and bake their pizza, before serving it to an international jury of pizza experts.
On the following day, the UK Final of the World Pizza Championship will take to the stage. During the event, which is the pre-selection of the World Pizza Championship held in Parma (Italy) in April, 25 UK entrants from independent and major pizza chains will battle it out for their place in the final.
This is the first time that either event has taken place in the UK, so will make for an impressive feature at IFE as chefs spin, stretch and top their pizzas.
IFE13 will also celebrate some of the best in new product development with its award scheme Fresh Ideas. With one entry crowned the winner at the show, visitors will be able to explore the most innovative product launches on The Boulevard in order to see where new opportunities lie for their businesses.
Alongside this, The Hub will house a comprehensive programme of seminars and presentations for visitors keen to gain valuable insights. This seminar theatre will see the sectors’ leading figures, including David Heath MP, Chair of the London Food Board Rosie Boycott, WRAP and the Faraday Centre for Retail Excellence, share their views on important factors shaping the future of the food & drink sector.
At New Products Live, visitors will have the opportunity to hear about the latest in product innovation. In association with Mintel, the seminars will offer trend forecasting and analysis, as well as guided tastings so attendees can test products, whilst learning about changing consumer preferences and tastes.
Chef’s Inspiration
IFE13 will also play host to some of the UK’s most well-known and highly regarded chefs, who will bring colour and vibrancy to the show during their live cooking demonstrations. In association with the Craft Guild of Chefs, chefs such as Will Torrent, Steve Munkley, Sophie Wright and Brian Mellor will show off their skills in The Skillery. They will be joined by Stephen Scuffel, Mat Owens, Alyn Williams, Cyrus Todiwala, Ben Bartlett and Lee Maycock, who will also demonstrate culinary prowess to help improve the skills and profit margins of foodservice providers.
Broad but specialised
IFE13 encompasses the entire food and drink industry, from niche products that cater for special dietary needs, to the trends currently making waves with consumers, such as ‘cleaner’ energy drinks, gourmet popcorn, biltong, beef jerky, free-from foods and coconut water. The show is split into nine easy-to-navigate sections so visitors can target their visit: Speciality & Regional Food from Britain; Cheese and Dairy; Meat and Seafood; Bakery and Confectionery; Ingredients; Health and Wellbeing; Drinks; General Food and Walk the World.
A wealth of choice
Visitors to IFE can expect to see and test thousands of products that showcase the exhibitors’ ability to be innovative and deliver on quality, functionality and taste. This includes Steenbergs, who will be showcasing its extended organic range, and Burts Chips, who will unveil an exciting new look and assortment of flavours.
Pro2Pac
At the entrance to IFE13 will be the show’s sister event Pro2Pac – the UK’s only processing and packaging exhibition dedicated solely to the food and drink sector. Visitors attending IFE13 will also have access to Pro2Pac, where they can learn about the latest packaging ideas and techniques at the Pro2Pac Live seminar theatre, as well as seek one-to-one advice at Pro2Pac One2One Experts.
For more details on the show and how to register to visit, visit www.ife.co.uk.
Visitors and exhibitors can keep up to date with the latest event developments by following @IFEexhibition on Twitter, or joining the discussion on the IFE LinkedIn page: www.ife.co.uk/linkedin.
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