With visitor figures up 22% on the previous show in 2022, exhibitors reporting that substantial business was done and overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike, IFEX 2024 really did serve up a show that will benefit all those involved in the sector in the months and years ahead.

As an industry that has faced numerous challenges in recent years including the COVID-19 pandemic, staff shortages and increasing costs, the return of IFEX was welcomed from across the industry. Strong visitor numbers across the three days indicates that in an increasingly digitalised world, opportunities to meet face-to-face are still appealing.

The event had significant sponsorship from the Department of the Economy, (DfE), the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Stephens Catering Equipment and Flogas as well as association support form Hospitality Ulster, Retail NI, Hotels Federation NI, FSBNI, the Guild of Fine Food, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Chef Network and NI Takeaway Association.

‘NEW IDEAS FOR THE INDUSTRY’

Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, organisers of IFEX, said: “With stellar industry support and a sold-out show, we had high hopes for the event, however IFEX 2024 has vastly exceeded all expectations welcoming a huge number of visitors over the three days – more than we have ever experienced before in previous years.

“Our industry has faced several years of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges of late and IFEX has provided a much-needed opportunity for sector representatives to meet face-to-face and plan for the future. With approximately 200 exhibitors and a wide range of features – including a number of new attractions – IFEX 2024 has delivered a show packed full of innovation and new ideas for the industry.

“On behalf of everyone at IFEX, we are incredibly thankful to the committed exhibitors and visitors who attended the show, demonstrating their support for the industry.”

Expanding its floorplan by an additional 40% this year, exhibitor stands were both impressive and engaging with IFEX stalwarts Sysco and Henderson Foodservice showcasing produce from many of their suppliers. In addition, other major stands included impressive areas from Hugh Jordan and Stephens Catering Equipment.

NEW FEATURES

Exhibitors’ efforts to showcase their business in the best possible manner added to the vibrancy of the event and for visitors, they got to sample the food and drink on offer, including the award-winning products that were on display at the Great Taste Market and the IFEX bar.

There was a range of new features at this year’s event including the Masters Arena, which shone a spotlight on coffee, bakery and butchery across the three days, the Spotlight Stage where industry experts shared their views on an array of topics and the IFEX Coffee Festival which hosted the SCA Ireland Cup Tasters Championship and many other competitions.

Emphasising the importance of the sector to the wider Northern Ireland business economy, IFEX 2024 was also visited by Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy, First Minister, Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, who toured the show and spoke with a number of exhibitors.

First-time exhibitor at IFEX, Adrian McLaughlin, Director of Outwalker Whiskey, said: “IFEX 2024 was a fantastic show for our business. We have made a lot of good contacts and have further raised the profile of Outwalker Whiskey which will hopefully help to propel it to the next level.

“We were delighted with the number of people who stopped by the IFEX Bar to taste and find out more about our premium product – it was a great success.

“Outwalker by its nature is adventurous, bold, free-spirited and somewhat unconventional and we’re confident that it will be a favourite Irish whiskey for many years to come.”

AWARDING INNOVATION

Also, during the exhibition, rising stars in the industry were identified, new champions in their field were awarded and renowned industry experts were recognised for their contribution to the sector. IFEX 2024 was Northern Ireland’s showcase for local excellence and across the three days, top awards were presented to those who excelled in their fields.

Taking home one of the biggest awards was Ben Armstrong, a chef at Old Barn Catering in Markethill who was crowned Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Northern Ireland Chef of the Year.

Also presented with certificates were the winners of the IFEX Innovation Awards. Designed to highlight and recognise outstanding products that have been created since the last event, industry winners included:

• Best Food and Drink product – Outwalker Whiskey
• Best Equipment, Design, Technology product – Ecobia for their Biodigester range

With almost 200 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and services, visitors had a wealth of new products to see, taste and learn about. With everything from Irish Black Butter to revolutionary cleaning equipment and state-of-the-art hospitality robots, IFEX 2024 delivered a plethora of products all under one roof.

As the premier trade event for the food, retail, drink and hospitality industry, IFEX returns to the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast in March 2026. Register your interest with the team at 365 Events via the website: www.ifexexhibition.co.uk or contact Lyndsey Harker, Head of Sales by emailing: lyndsey@365-events.co.uk

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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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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.

Born in Dublin and raised in Belfast, Dylan joins a long list of celebrity chefs who have officially opened IFEX in recent years including French chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Michelin star chef and restauranteur, Michael Deane.

Speaking ahead of his visit to IFEX Dylan said: “I am honoured and delighted to officially open IFEX 2024. It’s a very exciting time for the Northern Ireland foodservice and hospitality industry which has cemented itself as a global leader in terms of excellence.

“Events like IFEX are vital to celebrate and showcase the immense amount of homegrown talent and award-winning produce that we have right here, on our doorstep.

“I’m particularly excited to see our upcoming chefs in action during the array of Salon Culinaire competitions and have no doubt that we will discover some outstandingly skilled chefs, which is what IFEX is renowned for.

“Best of luck to everyone taking part in the competitions and I hope that those who are both exhibiting and attending have a great IFEX 2024!”

CORNERSTONE EXPO

Increasing its floorplan by an additional 40% and opening up a new hall, IFEX is a ‘one stop shop’ for discovering some of the best products that NI has to offer and across the three days will be home to NEW features including the Spotlight Stage, Masters Arena and the IFEX Coffee Festival.

At the heart of IFEX is Salon Culinaire – Northern Ireland’s largest and most prestigious chef competition, where IFEX Northern Ireland Chef of the Year is crowned. Also returning is the Great Taste Market, IFEX Bar and helping to address an industry wide problem, the Northern Ireland Hospitality Core Skills Hub, a hands-on demo area showcasing the very many services and opportunities available across the sector. Find out more about what’s happening at the show here.

Commenting on the importance of the show’s return, Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events Ltd. said: “IFEX is one of NI’s longest running trade shows and has been the cornerstone expo for the foodservice, catering, retail and hospitality industries for many years. Needed more than ever before, IFEX is crucial for galvanising the industry and driving new business for exhibitors.

‘IFEX is simply the number one event for industry professionals in the foodservice, hospitality and retail sectors’

“This year’s show promises to serve up three days packed full of ideas and innovation for both visitors and exhibitors alike. From inspiring competitions to expert masterclasses, and an abundance of ideas to help grow business in the years ahead, IFEX is simply the number one event for industry professionals in the foodservice, hospitality and retail sectors.”

Championing best practice within the industry, IFEX returns with industry support from all leading associations including Hospitality Ulster, the Federation of Small Business NI, Retail NI, NI Hotels Federation, the Guild of Fine Food, Chef Network, Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Takeaway Association.

A trade only event, IFEX 2024 is taking place from Tuesday 5^th to Thursday 7^th March at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast. The show 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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We are also delighted to reveal that Neighbourhood Retailer is a media partner of IFEX 2024, along with sister publications, Licensed and Catering News and Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer.

Aiming to highlight the country’s culinary talent, expertise and excellence, the Northern Ireland Chef of the Year contests will run alongside the new Northern Ireland Inter College Cook and Serve Challenge as part of Salon Culinaire Belfast.

Expecting more entries than ever before, the Salon Culinaire Belfast is designed to highlight and nurture Northern Ireland’s young chefs and will serve to provide a launchpad for a lucrative career in the hospitality and foodservice industry.

The Northern Ireland Chef of the Year competition is open to chefs working in Ireland and will require participants to devise a three-course menu, with an emphasis on local produce, alongside a plant based amuse bouche, to impress a panel of judges.

Also returning to Salon Culinaire Belfast this year is the popular edible art competitions where competitors will use their imagination and skills to create visually stunning exhibits from ingredients including chocolate, sugar paste, fondant or fruit and vegetables.

Commenting on the launch of the Salon Culinaire timetable, Sean Owens, Salon Director said: “Northern Ireland is home to some of the world’s top chefs who are helping to cement the wider hospitality and foodservice industry as a global leader.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the immense amount of talent and skills that will be on offer throughout the competitions.

“The road to recovery after the impact of the pandemic has been tough for many establishments in the hospitality and foodservice industry but we’re delighted to see real signs of growth beginning to show. Celebrating the achievements of the industry, alongside the talent of our chefs will serve to encourage more and more young people to join the sector, which will help to secure its future expansion.”

Turning his attention to the upcoming competitions, Sean added: “The IFEX Salon Culinaire competitions are suitable for everyone – from students just starting out in their culinary journey to experienced chefs who are making huge waves in the industry.

“I have no doubt that we will discover a huge amount of talent at IFEX – both from established chefs and those who are yet to be uncovered. Highlighting and promoting our own, home-grown talent is what IFEX is all about.”

The Salon Culinaire competitions are now open for entry, visit: www.ifexexhibition.co.uk/salon-culinaire.

To register your attendance, visit: ifex-2024.reg.buzz and if you’re planning to exhibit, contact Lyndsey Harker by emailing: lyndsey@365-events.co.uk or call: 07946 320096.

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