Any buyer wishing to meet in the UK with prospective or existing domestic and international suppliers, and vice versa, will have the chance to do so again next year at the third, annual London Produce Show and Conference (LPS16) which meets on June 8-10, 2016. Produce Business UK takes a look at what visitors can expect and learn at the one-day trade exhibition that serves as a platform to share ideas and help move the industry forward
Watch this video to see how the 2015 edition unfolded
Now established as the UK’s fresh produce networking event of the year, the key focus for LPS16 is to attract even more buyers, both foreign and UK-based, to meet and share, and crucially learn and buy from a deliberately limited number of exhibitors on the show floor.
The 2015 edition already attracted a diverse array of fresh produce buyers from the retail foodservice and wholesale sectors, representing every continent. After winning ‘Number One International Event’ in the prestigious FAME Awards, overall LPS 2015 attracted 50% more visitors than its inaugural show.
The full-service event, which takes place at the five-star Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott hotel on Park Lane, London, includes a series of educational seminars, chef demonstrations, a gala cocktail reception, an international student programme, and a thought leaders breakfast panel hosted by the world-renowned Perishable Pundit, Jim Prevor.
In addition, next year a unique Foodservice Forum will be launched on the day preceding the main trade show to add another level of value to the event and expand the presence of London’s top chefs and major UK and international foodservice companies.
“London is a magnet for international trade,” explains Produce Business editor-in-chief, Jim Prevor. “The calibre of people we have attracted to the UK from around the world, both to exhibit and attend LPS, is testament to the model we have created and successfully implemented. I am incredibly pleased that we were able to deliver such an enriching experience for the visitors and exhibitors present.”
Importantly, Prevor says creating an event that adds true value to any industry is not a simple numbers game. “We could fling open our doors to the entire industry and I’m sure we could double or even triple the numbers who visit next year,” he points out. “But what we most want to deliver for our exhibitors is a high-quality list of relevant buyers, who are attending because they want to find the products, services and people that will take their business to the next level.
“An array of exhibitors from every category and continent have put their faith in us to do that and we owe it to them to make sure they get value for their astute marketing spend. Our events also focus on the value of high-calibre intellectual exchange, so gathering thought-leaders from the global produce industry into an environment where they can share ideas and help move both their own organisations and the broader industry forward, is an important priority.”
To that end, LPS16 will maintain and expand the elements of the show that proved to be added-value favourites, including the seminar programmes and chef demonstration area on the Great Room balcony which were extremely well received and added conversation, vibrancy and atmosphere to the exhibition area below.
Indeed, Tommy Leighton, managing director of the London Produce Show and Conference, says motivation is higher than ever to raise the bar following what he describes as the “overwhelmingly positive response” to the 2015 edition.
“We know that the industry wants more and we delivered exceptional growth from year one to year two,” he notes. “We also know that everyone who has been to the show appreciates the venue and the atmosphere it creates, so we’re delighted to be going back to the Grosvenor House for another year.”
As the event grows, Leighton says what will remain key is to retain the “intimacy and upscale nature” of the show. “That’s what sets us apart and will continue to do so,” he states. “As well as being a tremendously vibrant platform for doing business, LPS is an occasion in the industry’s calendar – the 750-plus produce professionals who attended the opening cocktail reception and the 1,660 visitors who took part across the three days will testify to that.”
To find out more about next year’s show and its additional features – including the brand new Foodservice Forum and a series of tours to key industry locations in and around London – keep an eye on www.londonproduceshow.co.uk in the coming months.
Videos of the LPS15 seminars are available to view here, where speaker presentations can be downloaded too.
You can also follow LPS on Twitter @LondonProduceSh #celebratingfresh
