Catering and Hospitality Expo for the East Midlands food and drink sector

Organisers of a trade show dedicated to the East Midlands food and drink sector say they have been bowled over by the enthusiasm of the region’s food and drink industry.

Catering and Hospitality Expo is taking place in Nottingham for the first time on September 19th and 20th.

Aimed at introducing those in the hospitality trade to new suppliers, the event is targeted at trade visitors only and is expected to feature more than 90 exhibitors.

The organisers of the event, Consortium of Events and Tourism Limited, have teamed up with regional business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum, who have helped recruit exhibitors from across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Rutland and Northamptonshire to the regional section of the show and also as general exhibitors.

“There’s been a real spark in Nottingham,” said a spokesman for the Consortium of Events and Tourism Limited. “There’s a real buzz that we haven’t seen for a while.

“We have been bowled over by the enthusiasm from local suppliers. Last time we had this much excitement was the first ever event in Blackpool, which saw over 4,000 attendees and we see no reason why Nottingham can’t exceed this. Nottingham has excelled itself and we are really looking forward to the show.

“It shows that despite the recession and tough times, hospitality is still alive and kicking in Nottingham.”

The two-day event at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick, is expected to appeal to those who run restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, clubs, guest houses, hotels and other hospitality and catering outlets, as well as large organisations that run canteens and provide food for staff and visitors.

It is the perfect chance for those in the catering and hospitality trade to source new ideas, products and suppliers, said Fiona Anderson, managing director of The Food and Drink Forum.

The Food and Drink Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, and operates across the East Midlands, is managing the area that showcases regional products.

Catering and Hospitality Expo has been held at various venues around the UK over a number of years, and has attracted thousands of trade visitors from across the country, but this is the first time that it has been held in Nottingham.

Exhibitors are expected to include local and national companies, food service providers, catering companies, equipment suppliers, restaurants, hotels, hospitality organisations, top chefs, industry services and manufacturers and producers wanting to sell into the catering and hospitality sector.

Entry to the event is free for those in the food and drink industry.

Collections will be taken for the Children’s Air Ambulance.

www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk