lunch! 2011 reports a record-breaking show
Organisers have reported a record 40% increase in attendance for the fourth edition of its lunch! food-to-go trade show, which took place 29-30 September with more than 4300 visitors.
The record-breaking attendance was complemented by a 76% rise in international visitors, plus a 40% rise in exhibitor numbers compared to 2010. The show’s on-site exhibitor rebookings were equally impressive, with around 70% of exhibitors demonstrating their continued support for the growth of the show by reserving stand space for lunch! 2012, which is set be held at the new venue of the Business Design Centre, Islington.
Chris Brazier, event manager of lunch!, is delighted by the feedback, “Within the first two hours of opening on Thursday, we had over 1000 visitors through the doors. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our visitors, exhibitors, associations, media partners and the team at lunch! for their continuing support.”
Exhibitor Mark Stack, chief executive of Yum Yum Food Bros Company, says, “We have done over 15 shows in the last year and lunch! has been by far the most successful for quality of leads and results.”
The Innovation Challenge Live! took advantage of its slight change of format this year to ensure visiting buyers got more of a taste of the action. It attracted over 60 entrants and the 15 short-listed finalists were invited to pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of industry judges (which included Franklyn Boltman, founder of independent sandwich bar Thanks for Franks, Neville Moon, head of food and beverage at Caffe Nero, and David Kitchener, managing director of Essential Café magazine) and the attending audience.
Gold award winning products included Kokoa Collection Hot Chocolate from the Kokoa Collection, the Toblerone pastry from Delice de France, the Meringue Crumble from Pidy UK and Peppersmith’s Fresh Mints.
