Paul Hill speaks to event director Philippa Christer to find out what wholesalers can expect at this year’s IFE
What is IFE?
IFE, International Food & Drink Event, is the UK’s leading trade event for food & drink professionals, providing industry buyers with unmissable product sourcing opportunities and the chance to hear about the latest trends and topics from inspirational thought leaders. The 2022 edition is set to reunite the food & drink community, with thousands of leading industry buyers from the worlds of wholesale, retail, catering, import, export and more already registered to attend. In addition to having the world’s largest collection of UK food and drink suppliers, IFE will also showcase hundreds of unique international products from over 50 countries. This is your chance to expedite your product sourcing, meet face-to-face with innovative food & drink businesses, network with industry peers and prepare your business for future growth.
What can attendees expect from the event?
This year’s edition of IFE has a jam-packed programme of events including three days of insightful discussions and presentations on the Future Food Stage, with speakers from businesses like speedy delivery service Gorillas, thefoodpeople, IGD, SORTEDfood, BOSH!, FareShare, WRAP and many more debating trends, challenges and opportunities in the industry. For more than 45 years IFE has been a hub for retailers and wholesalers to revitalise their product ranges and taste quality products from all around the world, and this year’s event is no different. In a year where time is at a premium, IFE is an efficient and effective product sourcing resource for food & drink buyers.
Why should wholesalers attend the event?
No-one knows the importance of strong business relationships more than the wholesale community. IFE is a chance to get ahead of the latest new product trends, meet face-to-face with potential suppliers and get to know the people behind the businesses you invest in. The event is a chance to source a wide range of products in just a few days and discover countless international suppliers and products under one roof. The packed seminar programme of industry experts and thought leaders will give you vital insights into buying trends in the retail sector and foodservice sectors and the latest developments in consumer needs and buying habits.
What’s new for 2022?
This year’s event is introducing a new Vegan & Plant-Based section, in partnership with The
Vegan Society, reflecting the continued rapid growth of this product category. Visitors will have the change to meet with brands including Meatless Farm, Beyond Meat, Moving Mountains, Better, Nature, Veg of Lund and many more. IFE 2022 has seen huge support from international food & drinks companies, with new pavilions from Lithuania, India, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Switzerland, Latvia and Brazil joining returning countries including Cyprus, Pakistan, Canada, Turkey, Italy and Poland. In total over 50 countries will be represented at the event, showcasing thousands of fantastic food & drink products.
Can you provide us with further details and information?
In addition to everything happening at IFE 2022, this year’s event is partnering with new launch IFE Manufacturing, Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC), The Pub Show and The London Produce Show, creating the UK’s largest gathering of food, drink and hospitality professionals, with more than 30,000 key industry buyers and 1,500 suppliers in attendance. IFE returns to ExCeL London on 21-23 March 2022.
To view the full exhibitor list and seminar programme for IFE 2022, and to register to attend, visit ife.co.uk
