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Take a seat in one of our seminar theatres at this years Fair to discover and learn amongst some of the top brains in the industry. This year, Talking Trends is taking on a new look as we discuss the biggest topics across the industry in a dynamic round table environment. 

Join us at Drinks Uncovered, where our speakers will explore some of the top drinks trends, unveil insider tips and provide invaluable insights on curating an enticing drinks selection to elevate your offering.

Click on a session to find out more!

Talking Trends in Partnership with the European Union

european commission

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10 Sep 2024
  1. Talking Trends
    Kicking off the Fair for 2024, Waitrose will be leading this insightful presentation all about key ingredients and cuisine trends that are shaping the sector. Learn what ingredients you need to be loo ...
  2. Talking Trends
    The UK consumes more ultra-processed foods than anywhere else in Europe, so what are they and why are we all talking about them? In this insightful seminar, our panel will discuss how we classify UPF’ ...
  3. Talking Trends
    We are delighted to announce the return of Pitch Live at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2024 in partnership with Ind!e and Ocado. Watch as innovative food brands take to the stage and pitch their product ...
    INDIE  ocado
  4. Talking Trends
    Within today’s competitive food and drink landscape, retailers must find new upsell opportunities. In this seminar, global trends intelligence experts, Stylus, explore how retailers are stretching tow ...
  5. Talking Trends
    Join us for the moment we have all been waiting for - following the contestants live pitches, our judges will crown their winner of Pitch Live 2024. The winner will receive a listing within the IND!E ...
    INDIE  ocado
  6. Talking Trends
    The new Labour government has been elected on mandate for change. With this in mind, our panel of industry leaders, led by Andrew Goodacre, CEO, British Independent Retailers Association, will reflect ...
    bira
  7. Talking Trends
    DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) are the three letters on everyone's lips right now as companies strive to welcome all employees, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, race, or physical abilitie ...
  8. Talking Trends
    Recognising and celebrating the individuals and businesses driving excellence and product innovation in the fine food & drink community, the Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards champion all that makes ...
    FICT
  9. Talking Trends
    In commemoration of Speciality & Fine Food Fair’s landmark 25th anniversary, organiser Montgomery Group is collaborating with Speciality Food Magazine to mark the achievements of 25 of the most exciti ...
    sfm
11 Sep 2024
  1. Talking Trends
    Speciality & Fine Food Fair is once again opening early for an exclusive Power Breakfast, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland. There is a quiet revolution happening in farm shops and farmers m ...
    investni
  2. Talking Trends
    Emotional intelligence (EQ) can help you to better connect with your customers, and in this exclusive presentation, The Collaborators will reveal exactly how to apply these principles for business suc ...
  3. Talking Trends
    Join this workshop, led by The Food Marketing Experts, to discover the do's and don'ts of data management, from how to collect it, to strategic usage, to making sure you’re compliant. You will learn w ...
  4. Talking Trends
    Join us to understand the future of food production in this exclusive discussion all about regenerative farming. Learn the benefits of stocking products that have been farmed using this practice and w ...
  5. Talking Trends
    Join us for an engaging workshop focused on how putting your people first can drive revenue and increase basket spend. Learn strategies to empower your part-and fulltime people to upsell and discover ...
  6. Talking Trends
    Join Charles Banks and Kelly Dowson as they take you through key learnings and takeaways from thefoodpeople and Good Sense Research's future trend tracker to date, and a look forward as to what we can ...
  7. Talking Trends
    Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of small brands in your retail strategy. Join us to discover how small brands are revolutionising retail.  In this session, you'll learn how in ...
10 Sep 2024
  1. Drinks Uncovered
    The mushroom trend is taking off as people are discovering their range of benefits. In this session, we'll explore why mushrooms are becoming a popular choice amongst consumers, what key benefits they ...
  2. Drinks Uncovered
    Looking for something a bit different to pair with your drinks range? Join the European Union, sponsor of the Talking Trends Stage, for this exclusive session where you will discover the hidden cheese ...
    talking trends in partnership with european union
  3. Drinks Uncovered
    Looking for something different to pair with cheese? Reach for sake! Japan’s national beverage is so easy to pair with, and has so much potential for delicious synergy thanks to the power of umami: th ...
  4. Drinks Uncovered
    Join Rob Shaw, Brand Ambassador for Inchdairnie Distillery, while he delves into what makes Inchdairnie and Ryelaw unique and innovative. We’ll talk through how to best enjoy this incredible drink and ...
  5. Drinks Uncovered
    We are delighted to announce our first ever Drinks Pitch Live at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2024 in partnership with Ind!e and Ocado. Watch as exceptional drink brands take to the stage and pitch the ...
    INDIE  ocado
  6. Drinks Uncovered
    Join Chef and Fair Ambassador Steve Walpole for a taste-bud tantalizing 20-minutes, where he will showcase his hottest picks from our exhibitors. Discover why these selections stand out as Steve share ...
  7. Drinks Uncovered
    The judges have deliberated and now it's time to crown the winner of the first ever Drinks Pitch Live! Join us to find out who will win a listing within the IND!E shop on Ocado.
    INDIE  ocado
  8. Drinks Uncovered
    Consumer behaviours are shifting towards greater convenience, driving the rapid expansion of the Ready-To-Drink (RTD) category. As people seek products that fit their busy lifestyles, RTD options offe ...
  9. Drinks Uncovered
    You’d be forgiven for thinking orange wine is a relatively new creation, popping up on wine lists across the UK in recent years. In fact the production of orange wine dates back 5,000 years, even pred ...
11 Sep 2024
  1. Drinks Uncovered
    The sober curious generation want beverages with less alcohol and more benefits, so how can you make sure you are stocking what they want? With so much on the market ranging from alternative 0% ranges ...
  2. Drinks Uncovered
    Join KAM in this tell all session where Blake Gladman dives into consumer behavioural data & insights that are driving current drinking trends. He will also look at predictions for the future, including the role of low & no, craft, functional, psychotropics, and more…

     

  3. Drinks Uncovered
    Let's go behind the scenes of drinks buying and find out what influences category buyers to stock the products on their shelves. How do they decipher which trends to invest in? How much does sustainab ...
  4. Drinks Uncovered
    Mead and Honey Wine are making a comeback - but why are consumers re-discovering this category and how can retailers be sure they are leveraging this in their stores? Our panel of experts will dive in ...
  5. Drinks Uncovered
    How can you leverage upselling to encourage your customers to increase their basket spend in store? Jessica Summer will reveal how something as simple as creating wine pairings with other products on ...
  6. Drinks Uncovered
    Join Cotswolds Distillery’s Global Brand Ambassador Rob Patchett for an exploration of one of the finest expressions of English Whisky. We’ll delve into everything that makes it special from the casks ...
  7. Drinks Uncovered
    Farm Retail Association are hosting an exclusive invite-only drinks reception for their members live at the Fair. This event is invite only.
10 Sep 2024
  1. Tasting Station
    Join this exclusive tasting session to indulge your taste buds as you discover the crème de la crème of food and drink that our exhibitors have to offer. Hosted by Chef Steve Walpole, you will be guid ...
  2. Tasting Station
    Join this session for an exclusive tasting of our awards finalists’ products! We were overwhelmed by the hundreds of entries that were received this year for our two New Product of the Year categories ...
    ficp
  3. Tasting Station
    Northern Ireland’s producers put the heart and soul into food and drink. Eye-catching brands, beautifully packaged and bursting with flavour. Wherever consumers are seeking out satisfying breakfast op ...
    INvestNI
  4. Tasting Station
    Join this exclusive tasting session to indulge your taste buds as you discover the crème de la crème of food and drink that our exhibitors have to offer. Hosted by Chef Steve Walpole, you will be guid ...
11 Sep 2024
  1. Tasting Station
    Join this exclusive tasting session to indulge your taste buds as you discover the crème de la crème of food and drink that our exhibitors have to offer. Hosted by Chef Steve Walpole, you will be guid ...
  2. Tasting Station
    Northern Ireland’s producers put the heart and soul into food and drink. Eye-catching brands, beautifully packaged and bursting with flavour. Wherever consumers are seeking out satisfying breakfast op ...
    INvestNI
  3. Tasting Station
    Join this exclusive tasting session to indulge your taste buds as you discover the crème de la crème of food and drink that our exhibitors have to offer. Hosted by Chef Steve Walpole, you will be guid ...
In order to help guests with hearing impairments hear live content, a hearing loop is provided at our stages, as well as registration. All stages will also have wheelchair spaces. To find out more about Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the Fair, click here,

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2024 INDUSTRY PARTNERS