Frequently Asked Questions
When is the event? Sunday 21st - Wednesday 24th March 2010
What are the opening times? Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd March - 10.00 - 5.00 Wednesday 24th March - 10.00 - 4.00
What is the event about? In 2010 Food & Drink Expo will be the largest UK food and drink trade exhibition bringing together all sectors of the food and drink market - retail, foodservice, wholesale and manufacturing. It's the perfect event for buyers and suppliers to negotiate face to face over 4 days and develop long term relationships.
Where is the event? NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT
Who is exhibiting at the event? Suppliers from across the world will be showing innovative products and services to buyers from across the retail, foodservice, wholesale and manufacturing sectors.
So whether you're a regional producer or a blue chip company you need to be exhibiting at Food & Drink Expo. Here are just some of the products that will be on show at Food & Drink Expo .... Bakery Beer/Wine/Spirits Biscuits/Cakes/confectionery Chilled Foods Dairy Deli/Specialist Ethnic Fairtrade Food Safety/Hygiene/Info Fish/Seafood Fruit & Vegetables Frozen Food Hot Beverages Ingredients Kitchen Equipment Meat/Poultry Olives/Oils/Sauces Organic Packaging/Logistics/Supply Chain Snacks Soft Drinks/Water
Who should visit the event?
All business owners and buyers from the food & drink market.....
Speciality food retailers Farm Shops Deli's Supermarkets Cafés Michelin Star Restaurants Restaurant chains Pubs/bars Manufacturers Wholesalers Cash& Carries
Will there be any seminars, workshops or demonstrations?
Briefing Theatre Join industry experts to discuss the key issues and trends in the food & drink market today. This area will address controversial issues that are affecting the food & drink market today. Chefs Live The place for chefs to learn from the best in the industry. Chefs Live will also assist visitors in which products complement each other and new trends in the foodservice market. Tasting Theatre - Tasting products with industry experts, learning industry secrets, while comparing the products with leading industry figures. Giving invaluable advice and suggestions on how to taste products. Specifically for retailers, buyers and chefs helping them understand what they need to be aware of when sourcing products.
Is there a catalogue? Yes, this will be available at the show free of charge to all visitors. A visitor discount booklet will also be available containing offers, deals and competitions from exhibitors, designed to save you money.
If I have registered for the exhibition, can I attend on more than one day? Yes, once registered you can come along any day and your badge allows you in on multiple days.
If I have registered for Food & Drink Expo, can I attend the other shows? Yes, registering for Food & Drink Expo allows you access to Baking Industry Exhibition, Foodex, Food & Drink Logistics Show, Convenience Retailing Show, Café+ @ CRS, Off Licence Show and IFFE.
How can I register? By visiting the Food & Drink Expo website or clicking here: www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk Can I register my colleague and/or friend? Yes, once you have registered yourself online, you can register a colleague or friend that is also within the industry.
ALREADY REGISTERED:
I attended the event last year; will I automatically receive a badge? No you will need to pre register.
I'm worried that I haven't received my badge yet, what can I do? Badges will be emailed to you prior to the event unless opted otherwise. If you have opted to have your badge mailed to you, you will receive this out two weeks prior to the show. If you don't receive your badge you can turn up on the day and a new badge can be printed very quickly for you.
What type of ID do I need to bring as I am in the process of setting up a business in the trade? Please bring a business card if you have one.
NOT YET REGISTERED:
Can I visit the event if I'm not in the trade? No, this is a trade event.
Is there a charge for registering pre-event? No it's free.
Is there a charge to register on the door? No it's free.
Do I have to provide all of my personal details? Food & Drink Expo is independently audited and therefore we require the mandatory fields on the registration form.
I don't want to be contacted after the event; how can I prevent this from happening? Please make sure you tick the correct boxes when registering. Otherwise email fdemarketing@william-reed.co.uk stating this.
I am a student; can I visit the event? By prior arrangement only. Please call 01293 610244
Can my children visit the event with me? Strictly no under 16s. Is there a cloakroom at the event? Yes. This will be situated within the piazza. Items cost £1.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS:
Is there an International Lounge at the event? Yes, the IATC Lounge is situated in the centre of the hall. For further details please contact Georgina Varney on georginav@iatc.org.uk
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
How do I get to the event?
By Road The NEC is situated at the hub of the UK motorway network, enabling visitors to travel directly from the M6, M1, M40 and M42. The NEC has its own on-site car parks located close to the exhibition halls. By Rail The NEC is served by Birmingham International Railway Station, connected by a covered bridge link. Travel time from London is just 90 minutes and trains run directly to many regional towns and cities. For details of train routes and timetables, contact National Rail enquires on +44 (0) 8457 484950 or look up http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/. By Air Just seconds from the NEC, the new Monorail Link provides a direct rail link from Birmingham International Airport to the NEC. Over 20 international airlines serve the airport, providing scheduled flights from 34 destinations in the UK, Europe and America. For flight information, visit the Birmingham International Airport website - http://www.bhx.co.uk/ or call +44 (0) 8707 335511. Visit the NEC's website - http://www.necgroup.co.uk/ - for more detailed travel information.
I am travelling a distance for the event, where can I stay? We have booked special hotel rates for visitors to Food & Drink Expo. For more information contact PHR on 0845 6123 602 and quote "pack" or visit http://www.phrplc.cpm/ (enter event code "pack")
ACCESS & FACILITIES:
Will there be anywhere that I can access the internet while I'm at the event? Yes, within the Business Centre.
Can I hire a wheelchair at the event? Yes, you can hire manual wheelchairs only. There is no charge but a deposit will be required.
What is wheelchair access like at the venue? Good.
Are pushchairs allowed into the exhibition halls? No the show is strictly no under 16s
Will there be anywhere to buy food while I'm at the exhibition? Yes, there are two outlets within the hall.
NEXT STEP:
What can I do if my question has not been answered by any of the above? Please call the organisers on 01293 610244
