Speciality-Food-Magazine-September-2024

6 @specialityfood Leadingmanufacturers and solutions providers will offer a valuable overview of the plant-based sector, including end products, packaging, ingredients and logistics – offering visitors the opportunity to source newplant-based food and drink, gain inspiration and connect with other business owners. Over 150 businesses will be showcasing their products, and visitors can also enjoy informative sessions via the event’s education programme covering topics such as trends, innovation, and the future of the sector. Meanwhile, the Culinary Theatre will showcase products available on the showfloor via demonstrations by professional chefs. The Hosted Buyer Programme returns for 2024 to connect manufacturers with UK and European buyers from retail and foodservice, and the event has launched a new awards programme – The Plant- Based Excellence Awards – to help buyers source the very best products in the sector across categories including sweet, savoury, meat- Sales service launched for cash-conscious brands A new service to help speciality brands build awareness and sales with potential retail and wholesale partners has been launched by Mash Chiles of consultancy business Gourmet Partners. Brand Builders is a low-cost, focused sales initiative which represents brands’ products through sales representatives – connecting producers with retailers and wholesalers as if they had their own salesperson on the road. Sales representatives will deliver product samples and commercial information from clients to retailers, feeding feedback to the brands, and purchase orders can be shared with clients and distributors as required. Mash Chiles, founder of Brand Builders, said, “Our service assists all areas of the sales and purchasing cycle and will not only help to grow our clients brands, but also exists alongside our clients chosen distribution partners sales team. With our model of providing transparent collaboration at a good value price, we are passionate about helping high quality, innovative businesses succeed in the fine food industry.” mimics, ready-meals andmore. The products will be judged by buyers and industry advisors on their taste, appearance, branding, sustainability and value chain. The awards will culminate in a live ceremony taking place at the show onWednesday 13th November. JonathanMorley, event director of Plant BasedWorld Expo, said, “This Plant Based World Expo Europe returns to London The annual gathering of plant-based retail and foodservice professionals is taking place 13th-14th November 2024 at ExCeL, London. year, more than ever, we are focused on facilitating those all-important connections between the retail and foodservice sectors and the companies providing plant-based products. Plant BasedWorld Expo is the place to do business –where you can source everything you need – from inspiration, to products, insights, or contacts. Now is the time to tap into this network andmake themost of the plant-based opportunity, for the future of your business and for the planet.”