31 January 2008, 18:21 PM
  • The countdown has beguns, with just over two months to go before the food and drink industry heads for Birmingham and the biggest event in the UK calendar.

Five leading trade shows combine in one place, the NEC Birmingham, from April 6th and 9th 2008, to provide a complete showcase for every aspect of the food and drink industry. Food and Drink World (FDW) incorporates Food & Drink Expo (FDE), Foodex/Meatex, Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE), Convenience Retail Show (CRS) and the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment (IFFE) exhibitions. Overall 1,300 exhibitors and 19 special features will be spread across eight interconnecting halls at NEC.

The shows not only cater for those visitors seeking new ideas, products and technologies, they also include features, seminars and competitions. These provide opportunities for fresh thinking and to debate the challenges facing the industry over environmental, production and recycling issues, as well as encouraging new talent and better skills. Single-ticket access to all the shows will provide an ultra-convenient visiting experience.

Overall, the exhibitions which make up Food & Drink World 2008 have combined to produce a complete supply chain solutions’ event. So says Andrew Reed, managing director of events and exhibitions at William Reed Business Media, “No area of supply chain management is left uncovered. Our aim is to build on the success of the 2006 event by producing a series of shows that are even more tailored to a food and drink audience. The launch of the Baking Industry Exhibition underlines our commitment to creating a forward thinking series of shows.”

Food & Drink Expo already has the accolade as the best attended food show in the UK and William Reed Business Media has been credited with revitalising Foodex Meatex since it acquired the event in 2005 with attendance in 2006 rising by 24% to 16,561. The integration of the Baking Industry Exhibition as part of FDW 08 has met with a strong endorsement from exhibitors.

Features and Competitions
Features and competitions across the various exhibitions are designed to appeal to a broad range of industry professionals.

Food & Drink Expo will host the semi-finals of the KNORR National Chef of the Year and also the Aubrey Allen/British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year contests. This event also incorporates a Wine and Cheese Theatre, an Organics Village, (in conjunction with the Soil Association), as well as international and networking lounges.

Foodex Meatex will stage the National Federation of Meat & Food Traders’ well established Premier Products Competition for the first time in the contest’s 40 year history as part of the traditional Independents’ Days (April 6 & 7) for smaller butchers and food retailers at Foodex Meatex .

Chef’s Live @ FDE -  ‘Chefs Live’ will play host to four days of individual and team classes including The Aubrey Allen & British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year with a daily guest chef demonstration; and the Knorr National Chef of the Year heats. 

Tasting Theatre - Dedicated to the world of tasting visitors will hear inspirational talks from leading wine and beer sommeliers, cheese & olive oil experts.

Ideas to Dine For! - A celebrity chef and industry experts pick their favourite UK food and drink products

Briefing Theatre - Join industry experts at Food & Drink Expo 08 to discuss the latest news and trends from around the industry. Speakers will include London Sustainability Exchange, Soil Association, Foods from Britain, British Frozen Food Federation and many other distinguished speakers.

Soil Association Organic Village - a hub for information on the latest trends and products in the growing organic produce market.

Register on line at: www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk. Your entry badge will also allow you free entry to: Foodex Meatex, Baking Industry Exhibition, Convenience Retailing Show and International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment Show

For further information, or for free tickets, call the Visitor Hotline on 01923 690669