As a country with a reputation for top quality foods and beverages, New Zealand made products and foodservices are in demand – both nationally and from the rest of the world. It’s no wonder, then, that Fine Food New Zealand – the premier trade event for the foodservice, hospitality and retail industries – is already 60% sold out for its 2016 event.

On top of a significant number of returning businesses, there are 35 new companies already on board to attend the event – many which will be hoping to capitalise on the significant growth predicted for the food and beverage industry in coming years. In fact, exports are expected to double in value in the next 15 years – following an increase of 11% per annum for the last decade.*

To support current topics of interest to the industry, Fine Food NZ 2016 has launched two new zones: the “Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Zone” with Nutritious Foods, Angel Food, Venerdi and more; and the “Artisan Alley”, to showcase artisan New Zealand goods, including products from Wangapaka Family Dairy, Creative Food Edge Co and Bees Blessing.

The show is home to many key industry association events, and will again support competitions run by the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand and NZ Chefs Association, as well as hosting the show’s own Best New Product Awards – celebrating the latest innovations and developments across the food and hospitality industries. Visitors will also be treated to a high dose of caffeine-injected showmanship with the return of the Restaurant Association’s Barista Smack Down, a knock-out style coffee making competition.

Brand new to Fine Food NZ is Top Shelf, a boutique drinks festival dedicated to wine, beer, premium spirits, and craft drinks. It will combine fun, education, mixology, sampling and an unrivalled line-up of guest speakers to bring the world of fine drink to life!

Also new to the show this year are Bennetts of Mangawhai, Chantal Organics, Main Divide Meats, Cerebos Greggs, Uncle Joes and Working Glass. Plus, visitors will be able to check out the latest and greatest from the likes of Southern Hospitality, Goodman Fielder, Majors Group, Gilmours and Service Foods among many others.

At the last Fine Food NZ exhibition in 2014, a total of 6,404 high-quality trade visitors attended over the show’s three days. Buyers came from a huge range of industry sectors, with the vast majority (88.3%) discovering new products, services or suppliers of commercial interest at the show.

These visitors include owners, directors, purchasing managers and buyers from top food and beverage companies, both local and international. It’s a huge opportunity for New Zealand companies to showcase their products and services to highly influential people in the industry, with the potential for a massive increase in sales for their business on an ongoing basis.

Key areas of interest for visitors were food service and food retail products; bakery; gourmet food; meat and seafood; and drinks. Two thirds of visitors said they were likely or highly likely to purchase or recommend a product or service seen at the show, and the average value of leads gathered at the show for exhibitors was almost $35,000.

A new Fine Food NZ website hosts details about all of the event’s features, exhibitors, new products and show details – check it out at finefoodnz.co.nz. Visitor registrations will open in November 2015.

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