Having spent more than five years at Montgomery Group working across multiple international events and divisions, Isabelle McKeever has newly stepped into the role of Event Manager for IFE and IFE Manufacturing. We caught up with Issy to discuss her journey, her ambitions for the shows, the trends shaping the food and drink industry, and, of course, the foods she couldn't live without.

Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role and your journey to becoming Event Manager for IFE and IFE Manufacturing.

I'm Isabelle, although my friends and colleagues call me Issy. I've been at Montgomery Group for more than five years and have worked across the commercial structure, supporting multiple shows and divisions while travelling throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. It's been a fantastic journey and has given me a great understanding of both our events and the industries they serve.

What have you enjoyed most about stepping into the Event Manager position?

The opportunity to lead the strategy for a show that I've been working on for the last two years. I've also really enjoyed working more closely with our industry partners and identifying new opportunities for growth across both events.

What are you most excited about for the next edition of IFE and IFE Manufacturing?

We have ambitious growth plans for both IFE and IFE Manufacturing. I'm particularly excited about developing the Food Tech offering and expanding the Start Up Market opportunity within IFE Manufacturing.

What trends are you seeing across the food and drink industry that are influencing the shows?

Food Tech continues to be a major focus, particularly around innovation and cold chain storage solutions across both manufacturing and finished products.

We're also seeing a significant shift in drinks trends, and we're looking forward to exploring these developments further within our Drinks category.

How do you balance supporting established brands while creating opportunities for new entrants?

We're launching an enhanced Meet the Buyer Programme for 2027, while also introducing a Start Up Market at IFE Manufacturing to give emerging businesses a dedicated platform to connect with buyers.

Are there any sectors that you think will become even bigger parts of the shows in the future?

While Food Tech isn't a new sector, it's an area we're committed to developing further within the shows.

The wellness sector is also continuing to evolve rapidly, with growing demand from UK consumers. We're looking forward to welcoming even more innovative brands into our Health, Organic & Natural section.

What's the most memorable moment you've experienced at IFE?

My favourite moment is always when the doors open on the first morning. Seeing the queues of visitors waiting to come in creates such an amazing atmosphere – there's no better buzz than that!

What are three store cupboard staples you can't live without?

• Pasta

• Bold Bean Co chickpeas

• ManiLife Dark Roast Peanut Butter

If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?

French, hands down! Pastries, bread, charcuterie, cheese and the best wine in the world – what more could you want? Although I'd definitely miss Indian food for a bit of spice.

What's your go-to comfort food after a busy event?

Always a bowl of pasta – something simple and comforting. After a busy day on site, you need a hug in a bowl, followed by an ice-cold beer.