Why Exhibit at IFE 2027?

Exhibiting at IFE gives food and drink brands the opportunity to introduce their products directly to retail buyers, wholesalers, distributors and international trade professionals. Unlike digital product listings or traditional sales outreach, face-to-face exhibitions allow buyers to experience products first-hand, ask commercial questions and assess their potential for new ranges or markets.

Taking place from 5–7 April 2027 at Excel London, IFE is part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, bringing exhibitors into a wider industry environment spanning multiple routes to market. Whether your objective is to launch a new product, develop distribution or generate qualified sales leads, IFE provides opportunities to start conversations that can support future business growth.

IFE attracts food and drink professionals from across retail, wholesale, distribution, import/export and foodservice. Attendees include category buyers, purchasing and procurement professionals, business owners, commercial directors and decision-makers involved in sourcing new products and suppliers.

For exhibitors, this creates opportunities to speak with different types of potential customers, from retailers reviewing new product ranges to distributors exploring additional brands for their portfolios. IFE's published audience figures report that 87% of visitors have purchasing authority, making the event particularly relevant for businesses seeking commercially focused connections.

Explore the IFE visitor profiles for more information about the audience.
 

Finding the right distribution partner requires more than identifying potential contacts. Suppliers need to establish whether their products fit a distributor's customer base, pricing expectations, product portfolio and supply requirements.

IFE provides an environment for suppliers to have these conversations with wholesalers, importers, exporters and distribution businesses. UK brands can explore opportunities to expand their domestic or international reach, while overseas manufacturers can introduce their products to potential UK market partners.

Exhibitors can use the event to present their ranges, discuss commercial requirements and identify suitable partners for further conversations after the show.

IFE exhibitors can explore opportunities to promote their products, build awareness and connect with buyers beyond the three days of the event. These include exhibitor listings, promotional resources, relevant event features and additional marketing or sponsorship opportunities.

IFE also runs Meet the Buyer initiatives, giving eligible participating suppliers opportunities for more targeted introductions and commercial discussions.

Available support and participation requirements vary by programme and exhibitor package. The IFE team can help businesses understand which options best support their objectives, whether that's a product launch, buyer engagement or broader brand visibility.

The value of exhibiting at a food and drink trade show should be assessed against clear commercial objectives, rather than stand footfall alone. Useful measures include the number of qualified buyer conversations, relevant sales leads, product sampling feedback, follow-up meetings and potential distribution opportunities.

Before exhibiting at IFE, suppliers should identify their priority customer segments, prepare product and pricing information and agree how their team will qualify prospects. After the event, leads can be assessed against their commercial potential and progressed through the sales pipeline.

This approach helps exhibitors evaluate the quality of the opportunities generated and understand how participation contributes to longer-term business development.