Food & Beverage Innovation Forum started in 2014 as a conference for the people who build food and drink brands, and it still builds its programme around case studies (products, packaging, channels and campaigns that have already met a market) rather than supplier pitches. An exhibition grew out of it and now sits at the centre of the event: ingredient, contract-manufacturing, packaging, equipment, design and marketing firms meet the brand owners, product developers and buyers who come for the talks.

The mix is unusual for a food industry event. Brand stands outnumber supply-chain stands, and much of the audience works in product development, marketing or retail buying rather than in machinery purchasing. Awards, new-product showcases and buyer matchmaking run alongside the sessions, so the event serves as a place to see what competitors are launching at least as much as a place to source.