New trade exhibition Casual Dining is well on track for a successful inaugural event when it launches at the Business Design Centre, Islington, in London, in February.
Diversified Business Communications UK, which has a growing portfolio of market-leading events in the food sector, including the award-winning lunch! exhibition and The Natural Food Show, says it’s delighted with the industry-wide support Casual Dining is receiving.
“It really is fantastic to see the way that the industry is responding to the launch,” comments group event manager Chris Brazier.
“When you consider that the UK branded restaurant market is forecast to be worth as much as £22bn by 2018, it’s perhaps not that surprising that so many companies are looking for ways to enjoy a bigger bite of these lucrative out-of-home sales. So, really, Casual Dining couldn’t have come at a better time.”
It’s not just the exhibitors that are getting behind the Casual Dining concept. Representatives from The Peach Report, Propel Info, Horizons, and Allegra Strategies, are all confirmed to join the Casual Dining Keynote Theatre programme.
Whilst a host of well-known operators, such as Andrew Guy, CEO of Ed’s Easy Diner Group for example, are lending their support to the launch. With Guy just the latest addition to a growing list of popular high-street names – including Ask, PizzaExpress, Zizzi, Prezzo, Chimichanga, Pizza Hut and Carluccio’s – that have announced their intentions to send their buyers and specifiers to next year’s Casual Dining show.
“Casual Dining is the right idea at the right time,” comments Andrew Guy, CEO of Ed’s Easy Diner Group. “A trade show specifically for everyone involved in the fastest growing and most exciting part of the eating out market – I’m looking forward to it!”
“A trade show dedicated to the operators and brands that have changed the dining landscape makes perfect sense and is long overdue,” agrees Clare Riley, editor of Eat Out Magazine. “I’ve always said that this industry goes beyond celebrity chefs, and now those behind some of the UK’s most popular restaurant and pub brands have somewhere to network, debate and show off.”
With the launch now just under six months away, the latest exhibitors to confirm their presence are McCormick – one of the world’s leading suppliers of spices, seasonings and flavourings; Francis Catering Equipment; Franke Coffee Systems; EPOS specialists Comtrex Systems; Eden Contract Furniture; foodservice distributor SFD; Rich Sauces; and Global Ethics, with its One drinks brand.
Casual Dining will take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, on 26-27 February 2014. For further information on exhibiting, contact Chris Brazier on cbrazier@divcom.co.uk.
Visitor registration is due to open in October 2013. To register an interest in attending, visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk
