This year our Source trade show was the biggest and busiest ever! With 10% more exhibitors and an overall 25% increase in visitor numbers, just under 2,500 buyers attended over the two days, many of them staying at the show right until the end of the day. At times, visitors were queuing to get in! The positive atmosphere, and level of business being done, also led to the highest level of stand re-booking ever, with a third of the space at next year’s Source actually re-booked at the show.
“The best show to date!” The Jays.
“Thanks to all at @SourceFoodDrink today, what a great show. Left inspired looking forward to all the new stuff we ordered” @atangelas
“Thoroughly enjoyed the show this year – far better than previous years, more going on and more products suitable for our needs” Bridgwater College
“This is our fifth successive year of exhibiting and the show just gets better and better! Well done – we have rebooked for 2016“. Exe Valley Eggs.
The show had a real vibrant buzz about it, with the aisles full of buyers tasting the delicious samples on offer, drawn in by the mouth-watering smells throughout the show. The post show visitor survey showed that 94% of those who attended this year would recommend the show to colleagues, and the feedback has been very positive.
“Thank you for organising a well-run show which offered us a pleasant day out and a chance to network with some of our suppliers, and to sample their wares!” The Cherrybrook.
“A great day had meeting so many fantastic local suppliers @SourceFoodDrink in Exeter. We’ve come away brimming with inspiration!!” @marinadining.
The Demo Kitchen proved as popular as ever, with demonstrations by South West Chef of the Year Elly Wentworth (also South West Young Professional Chef) and other well-known faces including Bruce Cole, Head Chef at the River Cottage Canteen and Brett Sutton, Chef Proprietor The White Post, as well as from the students from Exeter College.
The FARM & MORE farm diversification event was co-located with The Source for the first time in 2015 bringing new dimensions and even more visitors to both shows. The successful and growing West Country Tourism Conference ran alongside the show, with two 1/2 day events bringing together leading tourism businesses and industry experts.
“A fantastic show from start to finish more large trade contacts than we could have dreamt of and we’ve already signed up for the next show” Gerrys Originals.
Next year’s Source trade show will once again take place at Westpoint, Exeter, on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th February 2016. You can keep up to date with news about the show here on the website or why not follow the show on Twitter at @SourceFoodDrink?
Paul Thomas says
I may be biased but…what a fantastic show! Shame it only takes place once a year! 🙂