FoodNavigator was preparing for The Ingredients Show due to be held 30th March–1st April 2020 at the Birmingham NEC.
However, given the ongoing COVID-19 health situation, FoodNavigator’s publisher William Reed Business Media says it has taken the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone its UK Food Shows. Impacted events include Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show, Foodex, and The Ingredients Show.
“This decision has not been taken lightly,” said the publisher’s Managing Director, Events & Exhibitions, Andrew Reed. “We have been following Government advice that businesses should continue to operate as normal and that large-scale events should continue, however advice is changing on a daily basis.
“Government are also saying that movement to the second phase, ‘Delay’ is all about timing and without definite parameters to work around it is impossible to say what the situation will be at the end of March.”
Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, and National Convenience Show will now take place at the NEC on the 7th-9th September 2020.
Space restrictions at the NEC on those dates mean that The Ingredients Show will be moved to 12th-14th April 2021, alongside Foodex.
Reed confirmed that all exhibition bookings, live event content and visitor registrations will be transferred automatically to the new dates. “Our aim is to facilitate a smooth transition to the new dates for all parties.”
The events and exhibitions chief continued: “As the single most important meeting place for the UK food industry, we are fully aware that some 30,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors will be directly affected by this, along with our speakers, partners and suppliers.
“We understand that these are unprecedented times, but we felt a clear decision would help the industry plan as effectively as possible and minimise associated costs and importantly come together at a later date in the year. We would like to thank our exhibitors, visitors, speakers, partners and suppliers for their continued support and patience during this challenging time.”