London Produce Show and Conference announces 2016 dates
Now established as the UK’s produce networking event of the year, the London Produce Show attracts a full house of exhibitors and attendees from all corners of the globe to a boutique one-day trade exhibition. The full-service show includes a series of educational seminars, chef demonstrations, a gala cocktail reception, an international student programme, and a thought leaders breakfast panel hosted by world-renowned Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor.
On the heels of winning Number One International Event in the prestigious FAME Awards, LPS 2015 attracted 50% more visitors than the inaugural show and a diverse array of fresh produce buyers from the retail foodservice and wholesale sectors, representing every continent.
LPS 2016 will again bolster its networking capacity and industry-leading educational elements. The key focus of the show organisers for 2016 exhibitors is a drive to attract even more buyers, both foreign and UK-based, to meet and share, and crucially learn and buy from a deliberately limited number of exhibitors on the show floor.
In addition, the launch of a unique Foodservice Forum, on the day preceding the main trade show, will add another level of value into the event and ensure another increase in the presence of London’s culinary heavy-hitters and major UK and international foodservice companies.
“London is a magnet for international trade,” said Produce Business Editor in Chief Jim Prevor. “The calibre of people we have attracted to the UK from around the world, both to exhibit and attend the LPS, is testament to the model we have created and successfully implemented. I am incredibly pleased that we were able to deliver such an enriching experience for the visitors and exhibitors present.
“Creating an event that adds true value to any industry is not a simple numbers game. We could fling open our doors to the entire industry and I’m sure we could double or even triple the numbers who visit next year,” he added. “But what we most want to deliver for our exhibitors is a high-quality list of relevant buyers, who are attending because they want to find the products, services and people that will take their business to the next level.
“An array of exhibitors from every category and continent have put their faith in us to do that and we owe it to them to make sure they get value for their astute marketing spend. Our events also focus on the value of high-calibre intellectual exchange, so gathering thought-leaders from the global produce industry into an environment where they can share ideas and help move both their own organisations and the broader industry forward, is an important priority.
“We certainly went a lot further towards achieving the long-term goals we set ourselves in year two and already we are working towards bringing an even more diverse buyer group to the event in 2016.”
LPS 2016 will also maintain and expand the elements of the show that were obvious added-value favourites – the seminar programmes and chef demonstration area on the Great Room balcony were extremely well received and added conversation, vibrancy and atmosphere to the exhibition area below.
“Following the overwhelmingly positive response from our 2015 show we’re more motivated than ever to once again raise the bar,” said Tommy Leighton, Managing Director of the London Produce Show and Conference. “We know that the industry wants more and we delivered exceptional growth from year one to year two. We also know that everyone who has been to the show appreciates the venue and the atmosphere it creates, so we’re delighted to be going back at the Grosvenor House for another year.
“As we grow, what remains key for us is that we retain the intimacy and upscale nature of our show. That’s what sets us apart and will continue to do so. As well as being a tremendously vibrant platform for doing business, LPS is an occasion in the industry’s calendar – the 750-plus produce professionals who attended the opening cocktail reception and the 1660 visitors who took part across the three days will testify to that,” he said.
For more information, please visit: www.londonproduceshow.co.uk