Where the UK Food & Drink Sector Meets

As the highly anticipated Food & Drink Expo draws near, it's important to prepare in advance so that you can fully maximise your experience as an exhibitor. With just a few weeks left, we've put together a list of essential steps to take before the event to ensure you make the most out of the show.

1. Do your customers know you’re going to be there?

Are you leveraging every possible marketing opportunity to promote your presence at the show? It's crucial to inform your customers about your participation, and what better way to do so than via social media? Make a statement on social media by downloading your personalised web banners and logos from the exhibitor hub, as well as your own personalised Gleanin banners via the link you have been sent. These graphics allow you to showcase your stand number and generate hype for your followers to visit your stand at the show. Make sure to tag us so we can like and reshare your content!

Don't forget to also update your exhibitor hub with your latest products and press releases to keep your audience engaged and get maximum exposure on our website, as traffic is due to increase further over the next couple of weeks. If you haven't done these yet, take action now to make a lasting impression at the show.

2. Check out the task section on the exhibitor hub

Don't overlook the crucial details that can make or break your success at the show. Head over to the task section on your exhibitor hub and ensure that all necessary tasks are completed before the event. This includes urgent items like the exhibitor declaration form, as well as other compulsory tasks such as booking vehicle access for any back-of-hall deliveries. While some tasks may be mandatory, we advise you to tackle them all to maximise your chances of success at the show.

3. Order exhibitor badges

Ensure you have ordered your exhibitor badges - log in to your exhibitor hub today and order your badges to ensure a smooth and successful show experience!

4. Order your SmartScan

Revolutionise your lead capture process with SmartScan – enables you to scan visitor badges and gather customised information for each lead. This intuitive tool streamlines the lead capture process, allowing you to instantly verify leads and access real-time data. With the flexibility to use SmartScan on multiple devices on your stand, you can ensure that every potential lead is captured and nurtured effectively. To learn more about SmartScan and to order yours, visit your exhibitor hub.

5. Read the operations manual

The operations manual is your ultimate guide to everything you need to know about the event. Whether you're looking for information on setting up your stand, floor plans, or marketing and operations contacts, this invaluable resource has got you covered. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, you can rest assured that you're fully prepared for the big day. So why wait? Dive into the Operations Manual and start planning your next moves for the show!

We can't wait to see you at the show and share in your enthusiasm for this exciting event. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and reminders to help you prepare for a successful experience. From all of us at the UK Food & Drinks Show team, we look forward to welcoming you and making this a memorable event for everyone!

6. Activate your package on the show app

Don't forget to activate your package for our mobile show app, powered by Sitka. The 'essentials' package is included as a part of your stand booking, but we also offer a range of upgrades, including pre-show appointment scheduling and featured listings, which help you stand out from competitors and generate leads before the show even begins!

Hey there, foodie friends! If you're as passionate about the food scene as we are, then you're in for a treat at this year's Food and Drink Expo.

Enter Suma – your go-to wholesaler for all things vegetarian and vegan. We're not just another food brand; we're your partners in providing wholesale wholesome goodness to your customers. Whether it's stocking up on wholefoods or offering a tantalising range of ready-to-eat meals, we've got you covered. With almost 50 years of experience in the wholefoods, plant-based and convenience markets, retailers can trust us to offer the right info, support and products.

Suma’s canned convenience range gives independent retailers the opportunity to become a one-stop-shop for customers looking for the whole week’s food shop in one place. Created with time poor veggies, vegans and flexitarians in mind, these tasty and warming bowls of goodness are the perfect solution to the endless ‘what’s for dinner’ conundrum!

But it's not just about convenience. We're seeing a growing appreciation for wholesome, organic ingredients and from-scratch cooking is increasingly popular. People are craving authenticity and we’re there for it! Suma was built on wholefoods when we started back in the 70s, and it’s an essential part of our offer - from retail sized grains, nuts and seeds, to tinned beans and pulses, right through to sacks for bulk purchasing and zero waste stores.

At Suma, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve. That's why we're constantly innovating, bringing you the latest and greatest in plant-based cuisine. From canned convenience mac n cheeze to delicious oat-based pasta and vegan Italian pesto, our products are crafted with care and quality.

So, as you wander through the aisles, keep your eyes peeled for Suma. Because when it comes to plant-based trends, we're leading the charge – one delicious bite at a time. Let's make this expo a feast to remember!

Come and say hello to our friendly team at stand CC210. See you there, fellow food enthusiasts!

To find out more, visit: www.suma.coop/wholsale

The UK Food & Drink Shows return to the NEC, Birmingham next month (29th April – 1st May) bringing together the very best of the grocery, specialist retail, wholesale, foodservice and hospitality sectors. Promising a festival of talent, advice, innovation and networking across three days, we whittle down the top 10 reasons to make a trip to the midlands.

1) One free ticket, five jam-packed shows

The UK Food & Drink Shows comprise five individual events under one roof all of which can be accessed with just one visitor badge. Across Farm Shop & Deli Show, Food & Drink Expo, The Restaurant Show, National Convenience Show and The Forecourt Show, there are countless opportunities to witness innovation and get networking, meaning valuable time spent offsite can have even more of an impact for visitors whose interests go beyond any individual show. Register free here.

2) Exhibitor Excellence

Over 1200 exhibitors are set to come together across the five shows, giving visitors an abundance of choice whilst also providing brands with the most up-to-date look at innovation in their respective sectors. The breadth of exhibitors offers visitors solutions across all aspects of their business, from the latest trending products to drive footfall, to the essential services required to keep operations running more smoothly than ever.

3) Specialist zones

After their inaugural success in 2023, two exclusive zones are set to return to Food & Drink Expo for 2024. Healthy & Natural Zone will include a range of healthy, wellness and natural products encompassing free-from, vegetarian, low-calorie and organic items to name a few. Meanwhile, Plant-Based Zone will also be making a comeback with everyone’s favourite vegan and plant-based exhibitors showcasing the future of this ever-growing sector.

4) A bumper crop of awards

The widely-recognised gold standard across the category, The Farm Shop & Deli Show Product and Retailers Awards return to the shows in 2024. Witness the latter reveal its winners live on stage on Monday 29th April. Britain’s Best Loaf competition will be back once more and will be announced on stage on Tuesday 30th April alongside a new event launched by British Baker, Britain’s Best Cake, which will be announced on The Grocer Stage on Monday 29th April.

5) Business advice

Five stages – The Grocer Stage, Farm Shop & Deli Stage, Chefs’ Stage, Restaurant Stage, Convenience Store and Forecourt Trader Stage – present a standout programme of seminars with industry experts offering their takes on the most pressing issues and thought-provoking topics.

Whether it’s questions around sustainability, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, the future of plant-based eating, improving diversity and inclusion, harnessing technology or trends for 2024 and beyond, sessions are designed to tackle the problems that the industry professionals continue to come up against, whilst also giving visitors an opportunity to ask their burning questions.

See the full line up here.

6) Industry heavyweights out in force

Five separate stages, set up across the different shows, include a panellist line up that reads like a who’s who of industry specialists. Just some of the names signed up to speak are:

- Heather Mills, Founder of VBites

- Suzy McClintock, VP of Grocery and Retail at Deliveroo

- Cassandra Stavrou, Founder of PROPER Snacks

- Sam Akinluyi, UK&I Managing Director of Innocent Drinks

- Karen Betts OBE, Chief Executive of Food & Drink Federation

- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

- James Cosmo, Company Director/Actor at Annandale Distilleries – Storyman Whisky

7) Book signings

In a new feature for 2024, the UK Food & Drink Shows will have a dedicated area for book signings! The biggest influencers, chefs and operators from across the industry will be giving away copies of their latest books, as well as offering visitors meet and greet sessions along with a photo opportunity.

8) Innovation at every turn

Whether you’re looking to expand your deli counter offering, get hold of a new energy drink range, find a financial solution, smarten up your forecourt storage set up or discover the latest back-of-house formats, hundreds of innovative products are set to grace the show floor at the NEC.

9) Favourites return and evolve

Dragons’ Pantry, the ultimate retail test, is back after popular success last year, with a new batch of brave entrepreneurs facing big characters and big questions as they aim to secure a new listing. In 2024, it’s joined by the all-new Retailers’ Den, a similar concept that drills down into the convenience landscape. See which brands make a splash and try the products for yourself on Tuesday 29th April and Wednesday 1st May at 2.15pm on The Convenience Store Stage.

10) Don’t just take our word for it…

Of course we think you should attend our shows. To show some impartiality, here’s what previous visitors had to say…

Caroline Cooper, Director, Sunnyside Gifts LTD
“We’re a new company and didn’t know what to expect as we haven’t been here before – we were looking for new suppliers and ideas and it’s just been brilliant. The vendor choices are amazing and the event is in the calendar for next year already!”

Mr Stephen Robert, Director, Cobo Butchers
“I’ve travelled here all the way from Guernsey for the three days of the shows and it’s been really worthwhile. I’ve seen some amazing ideas and had some great samples too. Overall, I’m leaving very positive.”

John Gill, Head of Marketing and Trading, Booths
"It’s a one stop shop. I think it's absolutely invaluable to spend time at this show."

Karen Betts OBE, CEO, Food & Drink Federation
“There’s a great range of companies across the diversity of the industry. There’s a real sense of optimism here at the show, it’s a great event to be part of.”

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Covering the entire industry, the UK Food & Drink Shows are unparalleled in their ability to bring people together, build and foster better relationships, discover business building insight and celebrate innovation, all with the support of the multi-award-winning William Reed brand. Register for your free pass today.

As an exhibitor at the UK Food & Drink Shows, we have an exciting opportunity to showcase your products within our Plant-Based Product Showcase Area.

This front of show feature will house some of the newest and most innovative products within the sector, and at no extra cost! To take advantage and get your plant-based products on this feature, please contact Tom on the details below!

Tom Hadfield
tom.hadfield@wrbm.com
01293 610493

Proud sponsors of the Plant-Based Products Showcase: