lunch! 2016 welcomed 6,204 visitors from across the food-to-go sector to its 9th annual edition, held on 21-22 September.
With a record turnout, it was the biggest show to date, with operators in attandance including AMT Coffee, BaxterStorey, Compass Group, Costa Coffee, Starbucks and many more.
Lunch! will move to the ExCeL, London for 2017, marking a new development for the food-to-go show. The only dedicated show for the sector, it has helped to launch thousands of new brands and products to market since 2008. From cafés, coffee shops and sandwich shops to supermarket meal deals and travel catering, lunch! and its eclectic mix of exhibitors have been influencing ‘on the go’ menus across the UK for years.
“We are delighted to have just had our best ever lunch! show – with the highest number of visitors and exhibitors we’ve ever seen,” said group event director Chris Brazier. “It’s a testament to the show’s continuing success that we’ve seen unparalleled demand for exhibition space this year, with a record onsite rebook and many 2016 exhibitors preparing to take bigger stands. The move to ExCeL – for lunch!’s tenth anniversary edition next year – has generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm and is hugely encouraging for the future growth of this vibrant sector and, of course, lunch! itself – the only show targeted, focused and dedicated to serving it.”
Alongside the show’s three-floor exhibition, the two lunch! Keynote Theatres were a hive of activity throughout. Powerful Keynotes – led by a stellar line-up of innovative industry names addressed key business opportunities and challenges for food-to-go operators.
As in previous years, Simon Stenning (MCA), Emma Read (Horizons), and Cyril Lavenant (NPD Group) delivered essential food-to-go market updates and overviews of the latest trends to watch.
lunch! will take place at the new venue of ExCeL London on 21-22 September 2017.
