Home to some of the country’s biggest food companies, manufacturers, distributors and artisan producers, the event, organised by 365 Events Ltd, runs until this Thursday 26^th February, and over 7,000 industry professionals are expected to attend over the three days.

From NI Chef of the Year, supported by The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Food NI, the SCA Irish Cup Tasters Championship and the SERAC Ice Cocktail Competition, to artisan companies from across the Island exhibiting in the Great Taste Market, IFEX is the place where all of those in the food, drink and hospitality industries will be over the next few days.

Live features also include the ever-popular Chef Skills Live Theatre, supported by Department for the Economy, showcasing top culinary talent in action, and the World Skills & Wild Food Arena, combining practical skills competitions with demonstrations focused on sustainability and alternative ingredients.

Chef, Niall McKenna MBE, officially opened the show and met some of the 200 plus exhibitors who are attending the event to generate new business and contacts. Niall praised the quality of local produce and the innovation on show and welcomed the large crowds on the first day of the event.

“The foodservice and hospitality sectors are vitally important to our economy.  To see the scale and energy on display today shows just how resilient and forward-looking the sector remains,” he said.

“IFEX brings the industry together under one roof, attracting visitors from every corner of the industry – from independent operators and multi-site groups to specialist suppliers and major distributors to discover new products and explore emerging trends. At a time when the industry continues to face skills shortages, events like IFEX play an important role in showcasing talent, inspiring the next generation and helping to strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals.

“The level of engagement and business being done here highlights the real value of face-to-face trade events for driving growth and building long-term partnerships.”

Interest in IFEX 2026 has superseded all other years, with a sold-out show and record registration figures. There are high expectations that IFEX will deliver new business for many companies in the food, hospitality and retail sectors in the months and years ahead.

IFEX opens at 10am daily and runs until Thursday 26^th February at 4pm. The trade expo is free to attend and you can register at www.ifexexhibition.co.uk

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Organised by 365 Events Ltd, IFEX 2026 marks a significant new chapter for the long-running exhibition, with organisers unveiling expanded show plans designed to reflect the evolving needs of an industry facing continued cost pressures, skills shortages and changing consumer demand.

Thousands of visitors from across Ireland are expected to attend the three-day event, which will bring together operators, buyers, chefs and suppliers under one roof.

A major headline for 2026 is the move to the Eikon Exhibition Centre, providing a larger, more accessible venue with increased exhibition space, improved visitor facilities and the capacity to grow the show’s content, features and exhibitor offering. The expanded floorplan has allowed organisers to introduce new live features alongside returning favourites, while accommodating strong exhibitor demand across food, drink, equipment and technology services.

Further reinforcing the importance of IFEX 2026 to the sector, leading restaurateur Niall McKenna will officially open the show, underlining IFEX’s role as a key meeting point for industry leaders and decision-makers at a pivotal time for hospitality and foodservice.

Industry confidence reflected in exhibitor demand

Almost 40% of exhibitors at this year’s show will be exhibiting for the first time, reflecting renewed confidence and the continued relevance of face-to-face trade events. New and emerging suppliers will exhibit alongside established industry names, offering visitors a comprehensive view of the market.

Alongside its expanded exhibition space, IFEX 2026 will introduce new live features focused on practical insight and real-world value. IFEX Kitchen Live, supported by Chef Network and sponsored by Rational UK, Food Standards Agency and Premier Foods, will debut as an interactive cooking theatre, with morning sessions centred on public sector catering and afternoon chef-led demonstrations, hosted by celebrity chef Suzi Lee.

A cornerstone of IFEX, Salon Culinaire Belfast returns in 2026 with a packed programme of live competitions. Featuring over 30 classes across three days, the Salon will once again showcase culinary talent from senior professionals through to students and emerging chefs.

With hundreds of exhibitors, IFEX 2026 is positioned as a one-stop shop for businesses looking to review suppliers, discover new products and explore solutions to operational challenges. From food and drink launches to catering equipment and energy-saving technologies, the show offers a broad snapshot of the market in one place.

“IFEX is about more than showcasing products,” said Toby Wand.

“It’s about giving businesses the tools, contacts and confidence to move forward. Whether you’re an independent operator, part of a multi-site group or working in public sector catering, IFEX is designed to deliver relevant, practical value.”

IFEX 2026 takes place from Tuesday 24^th to Thursday 26^th February at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, follow IFEX Exhibition on social for daily updates.

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Home to some of the country’s biggest food companies, manufacturers, distributors and artisan producers, the event, taking place at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, runs until Thursday 7^th March, and up to 7,000 industry professionals are expected to attend over the three days.

These statistics were revealed following a recent visitor survey which also showed that 25% of businesses said that waste reduction and recycling was a key factor in their sustainability strategy, while 21% of businesses claim to have introduced sustainable packaging and 17% have invested in energy-efficient equipment.

Additionally, the survey also identified that 16% of the surveyed hospitality and foodservice businesses source local products and almost 10% have installed renewable energy sources including solar panels.

‘COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY’

Welcoming the results of the survey, Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, organisers of IFEX, said: “The Northern Irish foodservice and hospitality industry is a global leader and we’re delighted to see so many taking the necessary steps to become more sustainable.

“In this industry, we have a collective responsibility to do all we can to ensure that we can protect the environment, which will in turn, help to secure the sector’s future growth.

“There is still work to do however, trade shows like IFEX can go a long way to introducing new products and innovative technologies that can make a big difference to the way a business approaches its sustainability practices.”

IFEX 2024 is returning with industry support from Hospitality Ulster, the Federation of Small Business (FSBNI), Retail NI, NI Hotels Federation, the Guild of Fine Food, Chef Network, Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Takeaway Association. The exhibition will play host to a range of events including the Masters Arena, IFEX Coffee Festival, Edible Art and the Salon Culinaire that will see the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Northern Ireland Chef of the Year named, alongside industry insights from a number of experts.

For more information, or to register for free, visit www.ifexexhibition.co.uk

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Imaginative and creative, and all crafted from a variety of edible ingredients, the Edible Art Gallery will be a must-see experience on your visit list for IFEX Belfast.

Or better yet, why not showcase your decorative talents and enter one of the several competition categories?

Categories include Decorated Celebration Cake, Open Food Sculpture, Bridal Bouquet, Floral Sugar Craft and Afternoon Tea.

The deadline for entries is Friday 23^rd February – to enter visit: https://www.ifexexhibition.co.uk/salon-culinaire/edible-art

Taking place in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast from 5^th to 7^th March, IFEX 2024 will shine a spotlight on the latest industry technologies, innovative ideas and new product launches alongside promoting some of the finest culinary talent that Northern Ireland has to offer.

A trade only event, IFEX 2024 opens daily at 10am and runs until 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 4pm on Thursday. If you’d like to attend, simply register for your free ticket at www.ifexexhibition.co.uk/

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