lunch! – the UK’s only dedicated trade event for the out of home food and drink industry – reports that it has sold out of all available exhibition space at its new three-floor venue, the Business Design Centre, in Islington, London. The award-winning show will be celebrating its 5th anniversary edition on 20-21 September with more exhibitors now confirmed than ever before, says organiser Diversified Business Communications UK.
Event manager Chris Brazier commented:
“It’s a testament to the show’s continuing success that, with four months to go until lunch! 2012, not only have we sold 25% more stand space to fill the venue for this year but demand has been such that there’s already a waiting list for companies interested in exhibiting in 2013.”
The 2012 show will feature an unprecedented 225 companies showcasing a wealth of new products, packaging, equipment and technologies from across the food-to-go sector. Whilst lunch! has enjoyed increasing exhibitor demand from the outset, the show’s pivotal focus on innovation has won it a loyal visitor following and a significant 38% year-on-year growth in total attendance (4310 in 2011 compared to 3115 in 2010).
Many returning visitors value the innovations on show, including Andrew Sherick, foods buyer at Marks & Spencer:
“lunch! is an essential date in my diary. It’s a great opportunity to bring together the whole of our industry and see what’s new, as well as meet some truly innovative suppliers. Each year the show gets bigger and better.”
The focus on innovation – cited by visitors as a key draw for attending – has also fuelled the show’s rapid 50% expansion in Innovation Zone exhibitors for 2012. Specifically designed to promote companies within their first few years of trading, the lunch! Innovation Zone, which enjoys a prominent position at the front of the show this year, offers a unique proposition for smaller suppliers and emerging start ups looking to meet professional food and drink buyers from all the major contract caterers, supermarkets, high street chains and independents.
As in previous years, lively Keynote sessions and demonstrations will run alongside the central exhibition in the Magrini-sponsored Working lunch! Theatre, with full programme details to be announced over the coming months. Other key highlights include the live British Smoothie Championships (also sponsored by Magrini), the return of the Innovation Challenge Live!, and the Innovation Challenge Showcase.
lunch! takes place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, on 20-21 September 2012.
For further information, to register for a free trade pass, and to see all this year’s exhibitors, to visit our website click here
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