If you want to grow your business in 2025, food and drink events can be a crucial way of meeting buyers, engaging directly with consumers and getting inspired. Whether as an exhibitor or attendee, there are plenty more reasons to get out there.
Showcase Your Brand
If you want to increase visibility and build your brand, participating as an exhibitor can be a game-changer. Food shows are the perfect stage to introduce your products to buyers, consumers, media and influencers. A strong presence with tasting can generate buzz, attract new customers, and even help secure those all-important listings.
Expand Your Professional Network
The food industry thrives on relationships. Food shows provide a unique platform to meet fellow business owners, distributors, chefs, and industry experts. Networking in person creates opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and even mentorships. You never know – a chance encounter at a food event might lead to your next important step.
Download the guide if you want my recommended list of 27 key food and drink events in 2025.
Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
The food and drink industry evolves rapidly, with consumer preferences, health trends, claims and production technology reshaping the landscape every year. From plant-based innovation and sustainable packaging to new diets and lifestyle trends, food events and shows can be a goldmine for insights. Seeing and experiencing new trends firsthand allows you to anticipate customer needs and adapt your offerings accordingly.
What’s happening in and around your category?
Most food and drink events run conferences and talks alongside the exhibitions. Just walking the floor will give you an insight into what is fresh in your category. The presentations and panels will likely offer the stories and thinking of other producers you can learn from.
Discover New Products and Suppliers
Food shows bring together an array of suppliers, manufacturers, and producers showcasing their products under one roof. This is your chance to discover emerging ingredients, flavours, or tools that you can use.
Learn from the Experts
Most food shows feature a packed schedule of workshops, panels, and demonstrations led by industry leaders. These sessions offer valuable insights into best practices, marketing strategies, and emerging technologies. By attending, you’ll gain actionable tips that you can apply to improve your operations, increase your profits, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Get Inspired
Beyond the business opportunities, food shows are an incredible source of inspiration. The creativity, passion and innovation on display can ignite fresh ideas for your own venture. Whether it’s a new menu concept, a unique branding strategy, or simply a renewed enthusiasm for your craft, the energy of these events is contagious.
Get Up To Date with Sustainability and Innovation
Many food events now focus heavily on sustainability and innovation, reflecting the priorities of today’s consumers. You can learn about practices and products that reduce waste, lower your carbon footprint, and meet the growing demand for ethical business practices. These insights can help you align your business with the values of an environmentally driven market.
Boost Your Morale
Attending food shows as a team can be a rewarding experience. It can also expose your staff to new ideas, building camaraderie and boosting morale. When you feel inspired and motivated, it brings enthusiasm and creativity into your business.
Food shows and events are more than just busy, bustling gatherings of industry folk and enthusiastic consumers. They represent an opportunity for learning, testing and growth. Whether you’re a start-up or a scale-up, food events and shows can provide the tools and connections needed to thrive in our highly dynamic industry.
If you want my recommended list of 27 key food and drink events in 2025, download the guide here.
If you want to talk about using events as a part of your growth strategy, book a call.