IFEX will be a ‘new dawn’ for NI’s foodservice, hospitality and retail sectors
IFEX, Northern Ireland’s leading foodservice, hospitality, and retail event, will be a vital meeting place for the industry to reconnect and find new business, the organisers say.
The event returns to the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast from Tuesday March 29 to Thursday March 31 March 2022, when it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.
As one of Northern Ireland’s longest-standing trade exhibitions where foodservice and hospitality’s biggest players all come under one roof, IFEX is laying down the foundations to ensure next year’s show is a success, with support from associations including Hospitality Ulster, the Federation of Small Business, Retail NI and The Guild of Fine Food.
“As one of the sectors most impacted by the pandemic, IFEX, marks a new dawn for foodservice, hospitality and retail as industry rebuilds following an unprecedented period of closures and restrictions,” said Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events Ltd.
“IFEX is firmly-rooted in NI’s hospitality industry and celebrating its 25th anniversary, next year’s show is set to shine a light on the importance of IFEX to Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector and will provide a vital meeting place for those within the industry to reconnect, uncover new learnings, secure new business and discover relevant technologies to improve their businesses and customer focus.
“With four months to go, we’re delighted that so many key industry players as well as new brands have already joined the growing exhibitor list, so we’ve high hopes for the 2022 event.”
Big names
Many of Northern Ireland’s biggest names in foodservice have already confirmed, including Stephens Catering Equipment, Henderson Foodservice, Sysco, Golden Glen and Lynas.
Central to IFEX is Salon Culinaire, Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition programme, headed up by Salon Director, Sean Owens.
As the stomping ground for student and industry chefs, Salon Culinaire is hotly anticipated as the place where the ‘best of’ culinarians in Northern Ireland are formally acknowledged.
From showcasing the latest food and drink trends to industry leading technology, equipment and services, IFEX will feature a range of visitor attractions designed to inspire and engage.
The event will be a one stop shop for discovering some of the best products that NI has to offer, including a new Hospitality Skills Hub, new IFEX Innovation Awards and the return of the Great Taste Market, bringing together the best of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s speciality food and drink products.
IFEX, taking place from the 29th – 31st March 2022 at the TEC, Belfast, is organised by 365 Events. The forthcoming exhibition will be operating in line with all public health guidelines.
For further information on IFEX, see www.ifexexhibition.co.uk
Caption: Colin Neill, Hospitality Ulster; Andrew Davis, Retail NI; Brendan Kearney, FSB NI with Sean Owens, IFEX Salon Culinaire Director.
