IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds
About this event
IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack (IFE)
IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack is a major international gathering focused on the food and drink community, combining product sourcing opportunities with industry knowledge-sharing and buyer-focused engagement. The event is designed to support the full pipeline of the sector—bringing together companies that supply products and solutions with retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice professionals looking to discover new products and innovations.
Event dates and location
- Dates: 5 – 7 April 2027
- Venue: Excel London
- City: London
- Country: United Kingdom
Why the event matters for food & drink sourcing
IFE positions itself “at the heart of the food & drink community,” welcoming key commercial groups who come to source products across the event’s three days. This makes it a structured environment for sourcing and supplier discovery rather than a general consumer show—meaning visitors are typically oriented toward procurement, product evaluation, and commercial partnerships.
Who attends (high-level audience intent)
The event welcoming message highlights that the audience includes:
- Retailers
- Wholesalers
- Foodservice professionals
Overall, the attendee intent centers on sourcing products over the course of the event, supported by the show’s exhibitor and program features.
Buyer engagement focus
IFE also promotes buyer engagement programming through initiatives such as the “Meet the Buyers Series”. This is designed to connect exhibitor and buyer communities more directly—helping visitors move beyond browsing and toward targeted product discovery and sourcing discussions.
Co-located ecosystem
The event is presented as part of a wider industry ecosystem through co-located events, which can broaden the range of sector expertise and audience overlap for food, hospitality, and manufacturing-adjacent stakeholders. This can enhance the variety of conversations taking place during the show and support cross-category discovery.
What this means for research and attendee-list analysis
For deep research on events and for building an attendee/buyer database, IFE is best understood as a commercial sourcing show in the food & drink category, supported by buyer-focused programming. That combination typically attracts decision-influencers and commercial roles responsible for product selection, supplier evaluation, and procurement across retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels.
Data sheet
IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 5–7 April 2027
Location: Excel London, London, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 1 July 2026
Event Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack |
| Event Date | 5–7 April 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Excel London |
| City | London |
| State / Region | Greater London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | Hyve Group plc (official IFE website) |
| Official Event Website | ife.co.uk |
| Event Type | Trade show / B2B sourcing and networking event |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Packing & Packaging; Retail; Hospitality; Logistics & Transportation |
| Audience Reach | Global buying, sourcing, retail, foodservice, and supply-chain audience |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | High for dates/venue; low for attendance volume because current-year figure is not publicly confirmed in the source provided. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect food and drink brands with retailers, wholesalers, foodservice professionals, and sourcing decision-makers for product discovery, supply partnerships, and market expansion. |
About the Event
IFE is a major UK food and drink trade event positioned at the center of the retail, wholesale, and foodservice sourcing ecosystem. The official website describes it as welcoming retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice professionals to source products across a three-day event, making it a practical marketplace for product discovery, supplier evaluation, and commercial partnerships.
For exhibitors and suppliers, the event is relevant because it concentrates high-intent buyers who influence assortment, procurement, category management, private label, distribution, and menu development decisions. It is especially useful for lead generation, buyer list building, retail and foodservice outreach, packaging and ingredient sales, and partnership development across the UK and international food trade network.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail buyers | Supermarkets, convenience chains, specialist retailers, department stores | Category selection, ranging, new product approval | High-value audience for branded food, private label, and innovation pitches |
| Wholesalers | Cash & carry groups, food wholesalers, regional distributors | Supplier onboarding, stock selection, route-to-market decisions | Strong fit for shelf-stable foods, beverages, and bulk packaging |
| Foodservice operators | Restaurants, hotel groups, caterers, contract caterers, QSR chains | Menu innovation, procurement, supplier evaluation | Relevant for ingredients, beverages, packaging, and operational supplies |
| Importers / exporters | Cross-border trading firms, international brand owners, agents | Sourcing, market-entry, distribution agreements | Important for international expansion and brokerage opportunities |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Retail chains, food manufacturers, hospitality groups, distributors | Vendor shortlisting, pricing, contracts, supply assurance | Core audience for supplier meetings and tender-driven selling |
| Category managers / merchandising teams | Retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators | Product assortment, shelf space, promotional planning | High relevance for launch-ready products and category growth stories |
| Supply chain / logistics leaders | Manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers | Availability, freight, warehousing, service levels | Relevant for packaging, cold chain, warehousing, and transport vendors |
| Private label / own-brand teams | Supermarkets, wholesalers, discount retailers | Specification approval, co-manufacturer selection | Key audience for ingredient, packaging, and contract manufacturing suppliers |
| Brand owners / founders | Emerging food and beverage brands, SME producers | Commercial strategy, retail entry, channel partnerships | Useful for startups, scale-ups, and distributor recruitment |
| Industry consultants / associations / media | Trade media, consulting firms, membership bodies | Influence, market intelligence, visibility | Supports thought leadership, PR, and networking |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: London | High local attendance from metro-area retail, hospitality, distribution, and trading firms | Very High | Large concentration of headquarters, buying offices, and trade representation |
| Host region: Greater London / South East | Retailers, importers, distributors, logistics providers, hotel groups | Very High | Strong concentration of food trade and procurement decision-makers |
| Nearby business hubs | Midlands, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Scotland | High | National buyer base likely due to UK-wide retail and foodservice coverage |
| National reach | UK retailers, wholesalers, foodservice groups, manufacturers, packaging suppliers | Very High | London location supports national buying teams and executive attendance |
| International reach | Europe, Middle East, North America, Asia-Pacific, Africa | Medium to High | The show is well positioned for export, import, and distribution conversations |
| Trade corridors | UK–EU food trade, UK–global import channels, maritime and airfreight-linked sourcing networks | Medium to High | Especially relevant for imported food, packaging, and distribution partnerships |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | The event sits at the intersection of international food sourcing, export/import, retail buying, and foodservice procurement, attracting companies with global supply chains. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | Retailer | Major UK grocery buyer with large category and own-brand sourcing needs | tesco.com | Buyer, Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Own Brand Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sainsbury’s | Retailer | Large grocery and convenience buyer for food, beverage, and packaging suppliers | sainsburys.co.uk | Category Manager, Commercial Manager, Procurement Lead, Technical Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Asda | Retailer | High-volume grocery buyer with national sourcing operations | asda.com | Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Manager, Supply Chain Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| M&S Food | Retailer | Premium food buyer with strong interest in new product development and quality-led sourcing | marksandspencer.com | Buyer, Trading Manager, Category Lead, Food Technologist | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Waitrose & Partners | Retailer | Premium grocery sourcing and supplier relationship management | waitrose.com | Buyer, Category Manager, Product Developer, Procurement Specialist | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Morrisons | Retailer | National grocery buyer with own-label and fresh-food sourcing needs | morrisons.com | Senior Buyer, Category Manager, Buying Controller, Technical Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Booker Group | Wholesaler | Key wholesale channel for food, beverage, and catering supply | bookergroup.com | Buyer, Category Controller, Commercial Director, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bidfood | Foodservice wholesaler | Major foodservice distribution buyer for branded and own-label products | bidfood.co.uk | Buyer, Category Manager, Supply Chain Manager, NPD Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Brakes | Foodservice wholesaler | Large catering and foodservice buyer with broad product assortment needs | brake.co.uk | Buyer, Product Manager, Category Manager, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Costco Wholesale UK | Wholesaler / club retailer | Bulk-buy model creates demand for branded, packaged, and imported food products | costco.co.uk | Buyer, Category Manager, Import Buyer, Merchandise Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Ocado Retail | E-commerce retailer | Online grocery buyer with data-led assortment and logistics requirements | ocado.com | Buyer, Category Manager, Online Trading Manager, Supply Chain Analyst | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| SPAR UK | Convenience retailer / wholesaler network | Convenience channel buyer with broad SKU and regional sourcing needs | spar.co.uk | Buyer, Category Manager, Trading Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Nisa Retail | Retailer / wholesaler network | Independent convenience and wholesale network with ongoing product sourcing needs | nisa.co.uk | Buyer, Category Controller, Commercial Manager, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Pret A Manger | Foodservice / QSR | High-volume foodservice operator with product and ingredient sourcing needs | pret.com | Procurement Manager, Category Manager, Food Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Compass Group UK & Ireland | Contract caterer | Large institutional foodservice buyer with menu, ingredient, and packaging demand | compass-group.co.uk | Procurement Director, Category Manager, Supply Chain Director, Development Chef | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / Procurement Director | Procurement | Executive / Director | Owns supplier strategy, sourcing policy, and buying budgets. |
| 2 | Category Manager / Buyer / Senior Buyer | Commercial / Trading | Manager / Senior Manager | Directly evaluates products, pricing, and supplier fit. |
| 3 | Head of Sourcing / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Sourcing | Manager / Head | Focuses on supply base optimization, cost, and continuity. |
| 4 | Foodservice Procurement Manager | Foodservice / Operations | Manager | Key for ingredients, packaging, and operational supply purchases. |
| 5 | Supply Chain Director / Logistics Manager | Supply Chain / Logistics | Director / Manager | Influences distribution, service levels, and inventory flow. |
| 6 | Private Label Manager / Own Brand Manager | Commercial / Product | Manager | Critical for contract manufacturing, spec development, and packaging. |
| 7 | Technical Manager / Food Technologist | Quality / Technical | Manager / Specialist | Reviews compliance, specifications, quality, and food safety. |
| 8 | Commercial Director / Trading Director | Commercial | Director | Oversees buying strategy and supplier relationships at scale. |
| 9 | Business Development Director / Partnerships Director | Partnerships / Sales | Director | Relevant for distributors, agents, and market-entry partners. |
| 10 | Operations Director / Facilities Manager | Operations / Facilities | Director / Manager | Important for foodservice, packaging, warehousing, and back-of-house operations. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core category for exhibitors, brands, ingredients, and sourcing partners | Retail buyers, foodservice procurement, distributors |
| 2 | Retail | Large share of attendees are retailers and category teams | Grocery, convenience, specialty retail buying teams |
| 3 | Wholesale | Wholesalers are a major sourcing and distribution audience | Cash & carry, foodservice distribution, import buying |
| 4 | Import & Export | International trade is central to food and drink sourcing | Export agents, importers, international distributors |
| 5 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Availability, transport, warehousing, and cold-chain are buying priorities | Distribution, 3PL, warehousing, freight |
| 6 | Consumer Goods | Many brands selling into retail and wholesale sit in this segment | Brand owners, packaged goods suppliers |
| 7 | Restaurants | Foodservice operators attend to source menu items and operational supplies | Restaurant groups, chains, QSR procurement |
| 8 | Hospitality | Hotels and catering groups are relevant end users of food and beverage products | Hotel procurement, catering, banqueting, F&B directors |
| 9 | Packaging & Containers | Packaging is a direct buying category in food and drink supply chains | Primary packaging, labels, sustainable packaging, contract packing |
| 10 | Management Consulting | Consultants support supplier strategy, category growth, and market entry | Commercial advisory, sourcing strategy, trade intelligence |
| 11 | Consumer Services | Broad category covering operators with purchasing needs | Franchise groups, multi-site operators |
| 12 | Import & Export | Strong for international buyers and agents at a London trade venue | Cross-border food and beverage trade |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content provided | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content provided | No current-year exhibitor total was provided in the supplied source text. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content provided | No verified buyer count available in the provided official text. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content provided | Seminar programme exists on site, but no count was provided. |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content provided | No sponsor total in the supplied source text. |
| Historical attendance | Not stated here | Historical / prior-year evidence | Not used in this report due to lack of a verifiable figure in the supplied source text | Use organizer media kit or exhibitor prospectus if available for current campaign planning. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Better price, quality, supply assurance, and contract terms | Target buyers with cost-savings and reliability messaging | Food products, ingredients, packaging, sourcing services |
| Category growth | New assortment, premiumization, innovation | Pitch product differentiation and sales velocity | Branded products, own-label concepts, NPD support |
| Foodservice innovation | Menu-ready, scalable, and operationally efficient products | Use tastings, samples, and menu application examples | Ingredients, beverages, semi-prepared foods, sauces |
| Packaging | Shelf appeal, sustainability, compliance, and transit protection | Lead with eco-design and cost-efficient packaging | Primary packaging, labels, contract packing, materials |
| International sourcing | Import readiness, logistics, compliance, and distributor support | Promote market-entry capability and trade support | Export services, agents, freight, customs, warehousing |
| Sustainability | Reduce waste, improve recyclability, and support ESG goals | Align with retailer and foodservice sustainability mandates | Sustainable packaging, efficient logistics, traceability tools |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is explicitly positioned for retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice professionals sourcing products. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely attendance from buyers, category managers, procurement, and commercial leaders. |
| Data collection potential | High | Good fit for attendee list building, account mapping, and contact enrichment. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Strong industry, department, and title alignment with Apollo filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | London location supports UK-wide and international buyer targeting. |
| Best outreach approach | High-value account-based outreach | Use buyer-title filters, category-based messaging, and pre-show meeting requests. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Strong commercial intent for food, beverage, packaging, logistics, and trade services. |
| Best use case | B2B attendee list building | Well suited for lead generation, exhibitor prospecting, and buyer-targeted outreach. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | Current-year attendee and exhibitor counts are not publicly confirmed in the supplied source text. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Retail; Wholesale; Logistics & Supply Chain; Consumer Goods; Hospitality; Restaurants; Packaging & Containers; Import & Export | Reach the most relevant buyer accounts. |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Supply Chain; Product; Commercial; Trading; Purchasing; Quality; Business Development | Focus on decision-making and supplier-selection teams. |
| Seniority | Manager; Senior Manager; Director; VP; C-Level; Head | Prioritize buyers with budget and sourcing authority. |
| Job titles | Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Director, Trading Manager, Commercial Director, Product Manager, Food Technologist | Capture titles most likely to attend or influence purchasing. |
| Geography | United Kingdom; London; Greater London; South East; selected EU markets; Ireland; Middle East; North America | Match the event’s UK hub with international sourcing reach. |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Cover both SME brands and enterprise buyers. |
| Keywords | food, beverage, grocery, own label, private label, category, sourcing, procurement, wholesale, distribution, import, packaging, cold chain, foodservice | Support precise account and persona discovery. |
| Company type | Public companies; private companies; family-owned distributors; multi-site operators; importer/distributor businesses | Target organizations that actively buy or source food products. |
| Revenue range | Mid-market to enterprise where available | Prioritize accounts with budget and complex vendor evaluation. |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (industry: "Food & Beverages" OR "Retail" OR "Wholesale" OR "Logistics & Supply Chain" OR "Import & Export") AND (title contains "buyer" OR "category manager" OR "procurement" OR "sourcing" OR "commercial director" OR "supply chain") AND geography in United Kingdom/London. Add keywords such as "private label," "own label," "foodservice," "distribution," and "packaging" for higher precision.
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFE official website | Official organizer / event website | Confirmed event dates, venue reference to Excel London, audience positioning, and show structure. | Very High |
| Excel London | Venue website | Venue identity and London location consistency. | High |
| Official website text provided by user | Primary source excerpt | Confirmed that IFE welcomes retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice professionals to source products across the three-day event. | Very High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to IFE International Food & Drink Event & Pro2Pack — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds