Food and Drink Expo 2010

PRESS RELEASE Suppliers remain committed to NPD despite downturn Food and drink suppliers may be finding life tough in the recession, but their enthusiasm for product development remains undimmed, new research reveals. In a survey commissioned by the Food & Drink Expo trade show – 56% – stated they would be investing in new product development over the next year, while 21% said they would be investing in developing their current range. Only 12% said they would be making no investment at all in product development. Some suppliers indicated they would be reining in the purse strings when it came to advertising and marketing their products. Just 18% of respondents said they would be increasing spend in this area in the coming year, while 36% said they would be cutting back. The largest group, 44%, said they were freezing marketing and advertising budgets. But asked how they spent their marketing budgets, respondents said they considered trade shows to be the most valuable investment, with 70% of suppliers rating exhibitions as either “very important” or “quite important”. Jack Halliday, group sales manager of Food & Drink Expo, said: “Our research demonstrates that although many suppliers have been affected by the recession, they remain committed to investing in product development. The survey also shows that manufacturers consider trade shows to be the single most important aspect of their marketing mix. Taken together, these two key findings suggest that Food & Drink Expo 2010 is likely to be used by many companies as a major showcase for their innovations.” “Food & Drink Expo has established itself as the foremost trade show for the food and beverage industry. It is now widely recognised as a highly valuable event for both visitors and exhibitors keen to keep tabs on the latest product development trends and make new business contacts.” Food & Drink Expo next takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 21-24 March 2010. A showcase for the very latest developments in food and drink products, the show will run simultaneously with seven other shows: Foodex, Baking Industry Exhibition, Convenience Retailing Show, International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show, Café+, Off Licence Show and Food & Drink Logistics For information about exhibiting at Food & Drink Expo 2010, contact Jack Halliday, group sales manager. Email: jack.halliday@william-reed.co.uk. Tel: 01293 610352. To register as a visitor, or for general information about the show, click on www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk. -ENDS- Note to Editors For more information regarding Food & Drink Expo 2010 please contact James Barker, senior marketing executive. Email: james.barker@william-reed.co.uk. Tel: 01293 610244