The Ingredients Show, which ran for the first time alongside Foodex, Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli and the National Convenience Show at the same venue this year, proved highly successful.
Steve Calver, business development manager at HB Ingredients, which supplies a range of products including inclusions, coatings and colours, to manufacturers across Europe and is exhibiting next year, said after 2018’s event: “We’re seeing a combination of existing customers as well as generating new leads. We definitely see the value in exhibiting.”
Lovvie Bhabutta, sales director at 2018 exhibitor Diana Food, said: “We’ve had lots of interest so far. It’s great to meet new contacts as well as those we have an existing relationship with. We didn’t expect to see so many visitors from overseas and have had representatives from across Asia and South Eastern Europe – it’s been a great surprise.”
‘New customers’
Helena Kowalski, UK & International marketing manager at The Chilli Doctor, which was another exhibitor this year, also enthused about the event. She said the company “met a good number of new and existing customers”.
Exhibitors already signed up for 2019 include JF Renshaw, a long-standing supplier of edible cake decorations, such as frostings and icings, to bakeries, John Morley and HE Stringer.
Overall, four in five companies exhibiting at the inaugural exhibition said it had generated a good number of leads and prospects for them. Based on feedback after the event, the same proportion of visitors claimed to have discussed or finalised contracts with existing or new suppliers.
Innovation
Dan Dixon, UK sales director at show organiser William Reed, said: “The UK’s food and drink manufacturers are eager to capitalise on growth in the food and beverage market and prioritise innovation and product enhancement to meet customer demand for nutrition, sustainability, healthy eating and exciting food experiences.
“Through The Ingredients Show, William Reed has given the UK food development market a show of its own. A show that recognises its role for innovation and growth in the UK market. After its first year The Ingredients Show has already been established as a powerful platform for the UK food and drink industry.”
The Ingredients Show will run alongside the Farm Shop & Deli Show, the National Convenience Show and The Forecourt Show next year. To book a stand, click here or to register your interest in attending the show, click here.