Food and drink extravaganza to set new standards

IFEX 2002, Ireland's sixth international food, drink and catering exhibition, to be held from April 23 - 25, will present the first opportunity since the foot and mouth epidemic for Irish producers and manufacturers to showcase their products to an international audience.

The three-day showpiece at the King's Hall in Belfast is expected to attract trade visitors from many different parts of the world, all looking for new products and innovations.

More than 300 companies, covering a wide range of products and services, have already booked for IFEX 2002 which is expected to attract over 11,000 trade visitors. In the past IFEX has proven to be a successful launching pad and networking opportunity for the Irish food, drink and catering sectors.

Several new dimensions have been added to the event for 2002, including a one-day conference which will be addressed by some of the best known names in the food and drink sector in Ireland and the UK.

The conference is being organised jointly by IGD, the leading UK research and training organisation for the food industry, and ITE, organisers of IFEX 2002.

The now well-established IFEX Salon Culinaire has also been expanded to encompass new categories, a reflection of this rapidly changing sector. The 2002 IFEX Salon will include categories for bakery products, a sausage oscars, a gourmet sandwich competition, a butchery masterclass and a cocktail competition.

Also well-established are the IFEX Cheese Awards which, over the years, have helped to launch many new Irish cheeses into the international marketplace.

IFEX 2002 will also incorporate a special packaging section, FoodPak 2002, which will reflect the importance of packaging and design in creating brand identity.

(MB)