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    Trade showB2B Trade Show

    Food & Drink Expo

    Food & Drink Expo 2027, April 12-14 at NEC, Birmingham, connects industry professionals with innovative suppliers.

    Innovative food products focusing onBeverages including alcoholic and non-alcoholic optionsFoodservice equipment and suppliesRetail packaging solutionsGrocery items for convenience storesSpecialty foods and gourmet products

    Dates

    12–14 Apr 2027

    City / country

    Birmingham, UK

    Venue

    NEC

    Time

    10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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    Event overview

    Overview

    Food & Drink Expo is the meeting place for buyers and suppliers from the retail, wholesale, foodservice, manufacturing and hospitality sectors looking to grow sales, improve margins, discover new products and build more profitable customer experiences.

    TL;DR

    1. 1Dates And Venue: Food & Drink Expo 2027 runs 12-14 April 2027 at the NEC, Birmingham.
    2. 2Scale: The show is expected to draw more than 30,000 trade visitors across the three days.
    3. 3Exhibitor Base: Over 1,500 exhibitors are expected to present food, drink, equipment and services.
    4. 4Show Format: The expo sits within the UK Food & Drink Shows alongside several co-located events.
    5. 5Sector Hook: A dedicated Future Foods focus highlights health-led product innovation.

    Why visit

    Attendees gain access to a diverse range of suppliers, innovative products, and networking opportunities that can enhance their business operations and market knowledge. Dates And Venue: Food & Drink Expo 2027 runs 12-14 April 2027 at the NEC, Birmingham. Scale: The show is expected to draw more than 30,000 trade visitors across the three days.

    Why exhibit

    Exhibitors can connect directly with key decision-makers, increase brand visibility, and generate valuable leads in a concentrated market environment. Exhibitor Base: Over 1,500 exhibitors are expected to present food, drink, equipment and services. The UK Food & Drink Shows are crucial for connecting industry professionals, showcasing innovation, and facilitating business growth in the food and drink sector.

    Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

    Who this event is for

    Visitor profile

    Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

    Retail buyers from grocery and convenience sectors
    Foodservice professionals including chefs and restaurant owners
    Wholesalers and distributors
    Manufacturers looking to showcase their products
    Hospitality industry representatives
    Food and drink innovators and entrepreneurs

    Exhibitor profile

    Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

    Food and beverage manufacturers
    Retail product suppliers
    Foodservice equipment providers
    Health and wellness product developers
    Sustainable food brands
    Packaging and logistics companies

    Product categories

    Key solution areas showcased across the event.

    Innovative food products focusing on health and sustainability
    Beverages including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options
    Foodservice equipment and supplies
    Retail packaging solutions
    Grocery items for convenience stores
    Specialty foods and gourmet products

    Location & Facilities

    Venue

    Open in Google Maps

    Halls & areas

    2
    Hall 6Hall 20

    NEC

    NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT, UK

    Entrances & gates

    Main Entrance

    Hall 6Hall 20

    Facilities

    Parking

    To find out how to get to the NEC Birmingham and where to stay, please see our travel and accommodation pages for further information.

    Food options

    Various food outlets

    On-site dining

    Parking: To find out how to get to the NEC Birmingham and where to stay, please see our travel and accommodation pages for further information.

    Attend

    Entry & tickets

    Trade-only
    Free registration

    Event days & opening times

    DayOpening hours
    10:00 AM –5:00 PM on April 12 – 13, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on April 14
    Register

    Who runs the show

    Organisers

    William Reed

    Website

    How the last edition performed

    Previous edition

    Current edition

    2027 · 30,000 visitors · 1,500 exhibitors

    Forecast — not final

    Impact

    A bigger and stronger platform

    Food & Drink Expo is the meeting place for buyers and suppliers from the retail, wholesale, foodservice, manufacturing and hospitality sectors looking to grow sales, improve margins, discover new products and build more profitable customer experiences. The UK Food & Drink Shows are crucial for connecting industry professionals, showcasing innovation, and facilitating business growth in the food and drink sector. Food & Drink Expo 2027, April 12-14 at NEC, Birmingham, connects industry.

    Audience quality

    High-value decision-makers

    Visitors typically include Retail buyers from grocery and convenience sectors, Foodservice professionals including chefs and restaurant owners, Wholesalers and distributors, Manufacturers looking to showcase their products. Food & Drink Expo 2027: April 12-14 at NEC, Birmingham. Over 30,000 visitors expected. 1,500+ exhibitors showcasing the latest in food and drink. Part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, featuring multiple co-located events. Food & Drink Expo attracts an audience aligned with the organiser's.

    Exhibitor outcomes

    Real business growth

    Exhibitors can connect directly with key decision-makers, increase brand visibility, and generate valuable leads in a concentrated market environment. 1,500+ exhibitors showcasing the latest in food and drink. The UK Food & Drink Shows are crucial for connecting industry professionals, showcasing innovation, and facilitating business growth in the food and drink sector. Exhibitor categories include Food and beverage manufacturers, Retail product suppliers, Foodservice equipment providers, Health and wellness.

    Intelligence

    Market context

    Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

    West Midlands, UK — NEC Birmingham (National Exhibition Centre), ~14 km / 9 miles east of Birmingham city centre, directly adjacent to Birmingham International rail station and Birmingham Airport (BHX).

    Why it matters

    Food & Drink Expo is one of the UK's largest cross-category food and drink trade shows for retail, wholesale, convenience and foodservice buyers, and it runs at the NEC inside the co-located UK Food & Drink Shows with Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show and The Forecourt Show — one free trade badge covers the whole cluster. For suppliers it is the most cost-efficient single route to UK grocery, convenience, wholesale and hospitality decision-makers; for buyers it compresses a year of supplier sourcing, NPD scouting and category insight into three days in one hall complex with direct rail links to London and central Birmingham.

    Industry trends

    Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

    01

    Digital buyer journeys

    Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.

    02

    Sustainability in procurement

    Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.

    03

    Automation and labour efficiency

    Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.

    04

    Regional supply-chain resilience

    Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.

    05

    Hybrid engagement models

    Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.

    UK and European food & drink buying circuit

    Rolling 12–18 months: lock UK spring shows in Q4, continental shows 6–9 months ahead and stand space 4–6 months ahead; badge registration and hotels 4–8 weeks out.

    Food & Drink Expo sits inside a dense calendar of UK and continental grocery/foodservice sourcing events. UK buyers typically plan a Q1 London show, the Q2 NEC cluster (Food & Drink Expo plus co-located shows) and a Q3 speciality event, with large continental sourcing trips in October in alternating years.

    Q1 (February–March)

    UK retail and foodservice launch events — IFE, London

    Q2 (April)

    UK Food & Drink Shows cluster at the NEC, including Food & Drink Expo

    Q3 (September)

    Speciality, premium and fine-food sourcing — Speciality & Fine Food Fair, London

    Q4 (October)

    Continental sourcing — Anuga (odd years) and SIAL Paris (even years)

    Peer events and typical timings compiled from the organisers' published calendars and sector listings; verify dates, venues and co-location on each event's official site before committing budget.

    Plan your trip

    Travel & logistics

    Local currency · GBP

    Arrival airports

    Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

    LHR

    London Heathrow Airport

    Elizabeth line and Tube serve most London exhibition venues.

    to venue

    45–75 min off-peak

    by car

    Hotel tiers

    A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

    Budget
    Birmingham Airport / Airport Way, within walking distance or one short hop of the NEC

    USD 75–115 / night

    Cheapest tier; rooms are the first to sell out for NEC show weeks, so book 6–8 weeks ahead and check whether a show-week surcharge applies.

    source
    Mid-range
    NEC campus and Birmingham International station (5–15 min walk or one train stop)

    USD 115–180 / night

    Best balance of walkability to the halls and price; ask for the NEC/trade-show rate when booking and confirm cancellation terms.

    source
    Premium
    On the NEC campus / Resorts World Birmingham, adjacent to the halls

    USD 180–300 / night

    On-site or a few minutes' walk from the halls — useful for exhibitors and buyers with back-to-back meeting schedules. Rates peak during show week.

    source

    Local transport

    Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

    taxi

    Estimated costGBP 60–90 (taxi to ExCeL or Olympia)
    Best forLondon Heathrow Airport (LHR) to NEC

    Elizabeth line and Tube serve most London exhibition venues.

    taxi

    Estimated costGBP 35–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forBirmingham Airport (BHX) to NEC

    taxi

    Estimated costGBP 35–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forCoventry Airport (CVT) to NEC

    taxi

    Estimated costGBP 35–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forEast Midlands Airport (EMA) to NEC

    taxi

    Estimated costGBP 35–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
    Best forLondon Luton Airport (LTN) to NEC

    Plan your trip

    Visa & entry documents

    Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

    Visa required
    ATA Carnet: accepted

    Visa-exempt nationals (EU/EEA, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Gulf states and others) do not need a visa for a trade visit of up to 6 months but must hold a valid UK ETA before boarding. Visa nationals must obtain a Standard Visitor visa in advance.

    The UK accepts ATA Carnets for the temporary import of exhibition goods, professional equipment and commercial samples. List every item, carry the carnet when clearing, and check rules with your national issuing chamber before shipping stand materials.

    Official visa page

    Weather

    Mid-April in Birmingham: daytime highs typically 11–14 °C with overnight lows of 4–6 °C, and April is one of the showery months — roughly 45–55 mm of rain spread over 12–15 wet days, often as brief showers. Pack layers, a compact waterproof and comfortable shoes; the walk between halls and Resorts World is only partly under cover.

    Plan for the climate

    Check temperatures and pack accordingly

    Venue connectivity

    UK mobile networks offer prepaid SIM and eSIM options for visitors; venue Wi‑Fi availability varies — confirm with the organiser.

    Ride-hailing

    Taxis

    Public transit

    Car rentals

    Cultural notes

    Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

    Tipping

    Restaurants in Birmingham often add a discretionary 10–12.5% service charge; otherwise 10% is standard. Tipping is not expected in pubs for drinks, in taxis or at venue catering. Hotel porters usually receive £1–2 per bag.

    Business dress

    Smart casual is typical at UK trade shows — chinos/trousers with a shirt or smart knit. Suit and tie is reserved for formal meetings or awards evenings; comfortable shoes matter on the NEC's concrete floors.

    Meeting etiquette and punctuality

    First names are normal from the first introduction and business cards are exchanged informally. Be punctual — NEC stand schedules run to the minute — and reconfirm meetings by email or app the day before, since aisles get noisy and phone signal varies inside the halls.

    Practical guides

    Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

    Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

    Flights

    Destination: BHX

    Book flights to BHX when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare CVT only if fares are materially lower.

    Visa

    UK entry for a trade visit: visa-exempt nationals (EU/EEA, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Gulf Cooperation Council states and others) must hold a valid UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £16 / ~USD 20, valid 2 years, multiple entries) before boarding; nationals of visa-required countries need a Standard Visitor visa (£127 / ~USD 160, typically ~3 weeks processing). A show badge or exhibitor pass is not a travel document — carry your registration confirmation, hotel booking and return ticket. Business visitors may attend and promote at trade fairs; check the official rules before selling goods or services on a stand.

    Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).

    Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.

    Mandatory before boarding for visa-exempt visitors. Apply only via the official UK ETA app or gov.uk — third-party sites charge inflated fees. Attendance and promotional activity at trade fairs is generally permitted for business visitors; check the official rules before selling goods or services directly on a stand. Carry your show registration and hotel booking at the border.

    Official

    Hotels

    Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.

    Areas to stay

    Birmingham Airport / Airport Way, within walking distance or one short hop of the NEC · NEC campus and Birmingham International station (5–15 min walk or one train stop) · On the NEC campus / Resorts World Birmingham, adjacent to the halls

    budget

    $75-$115 USD/night

    Book

    mid range

    $115-$180 USD/night

    Book

    premium

    $180-$300 USD/night

    Book

    Transport

    Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

    Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Birmingham Airport (BHX): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; Coventry Airport (CVT): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; East Midlands Airport (EMA): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; London Luton Airport (LTN): Gateway airport for Birmingham.. Allow road or rail time to NEC; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.

    Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near NEC: Birmingham Airport / Airport Way, within walking distance or one short hop of the NEC: Ibis Birmingham Airport – NEC, Travelodge Birmingham Airport, Premier Inn Birmingham Airport; NEC campus and Birmingham International station (5–15 min walk or one train stop): Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC, Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport – NEC, Novotel Birmingham Airport; On the NEC campus / Resorts World Birmingham, adjacent to the halls: Hilton Birmingham Metropole (NEC campus), Gent

    Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Birmingham; confirm local availability before travel.

    Public transit: Use local bus, tram, or metro routes serving NEC; check operator timetables.

    Parking: On-site parking is available at NEC; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.

    Weather

    Plan and pack for the event climate.

    Month: April 2027

    Temperature: Daytime highs typically 11–14 °C, overnight lows 4–6 °C in mid-April in Birmingham; occasional late cold snaps or frost are possible.

    Seasonality: April is showery and changeable: around 45–55 mm of rain across roughly 12–15 wet days, usually as short showers rather than all-day rain. Bring a compact waterproof and layers for the walk between halls, the airport and campus hotels.

    Packing: Mid-April in Birmingham: daytime highs typically 11–14 °C with overnight lows of 4–6 °C, and April is one of the showery months — roughly 45–55 mm of rain spread over 12–15 wet days, often as brief showers. Pack layers, a compact waterproof and comfortable shoes; the walk between halls and Resorts W

    Plan your trip

    Planning

    Best day to visit: Day 2 — Tuesday 13 April 2027

    On a typical three-day NEC trade show, day two is the sweet spot: exhibitors are fully staffed, the seminar/keynote programme runs at full density, and the day-one badge queues and stand set-up rushes are over. Choose day one if new-product launches and press activity are your priority, or day three for quieter, longer supplier meetings — although some exhibitors begin packing down late on the final day. Confirm the published 2027 schedule before fixing travel.

    14

    Check passport validity and any UK entry or visa requirements — Confirm your passport is valid for the full trip and review UK entry rules for your nationality before booking.

    12

    Book flights to a Birmingham or London gateway — Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the closest hub to the NEC; London Heathrow (LHR) and London Luton (LTN) are alternatives with onward rail or road links.

    10

    Reserve a hotel close to the NEC — Book early for 12-14 April 2027; NEC-adjacent hotels fill up quickly around show dates.

    8

    Complete visitor registration or register your interest — Registration opens in January 2027 via foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk and trade attendance is free.

    7

    Download the hall plan and show programme — Map the NEC halls and note the exhibitors, features and areas you want to prioritise.

    5

    Shortlist seminars, demonstrations and the Future Foods area — Plan session times so they do not clash with scheduled supplier meetings.

    4

    Pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors — Contact target suppliers ahead of the show to lock in meeting slots during the three days.

    3

    Plan local transport to and from the NEC — Check rail, taxi and parking options for the NEC and allow extra time at peak periods.

    2

    Prepare materials and check the weather forecast — Bring business cards, meeting documents and layers for variable April weather in Birmingham.

    1

    Travel to Birmingham and collect your badge at the NEC — Arrive early on day one to collect your badge and orient yourself before the halls open.

    Side trips

    2

    Stratford-upon-Avon

    Shakespeare's birthplace, RSC theatres and riverside Tudor streets — the easiest cultural half-day from the NEC after halls close or on the final afternoon.

    Birmingham city centre (Jewellery Quarter, Bullring, Bournville)

    Canalside dining at Brindleyplace, the Jewellery Quarter's workshops and museum, Bullring shopping, and Cadbury World at Bournville as a family add-on.

    Networking spots

    3

    Show networking and catering area (NEC halls)

    Central seating inside the Food & Drink Expo halls where buyers and exhibitors meet between appointments — best for impromptu introductions during the lunch lull.

    Resorts World Birmingham (adjacent to the NEC)

    Restaurants, bars and a cinema a short covered walk from the halls; the standard venue for after-show drinks and supplier dinners without a taxi into central Birmingham.

    On-campus hotel bars at the NEC (e.g. Hilton Birmingham Metropole / NEC campus hotels)

    Exhibitors and visiting buying teams wind down in the campus hotel lobbies and bars after the halls close — useful for evening follow-ups and informal meetings.

    Budget

    Costs & budget

    Cost reference

    Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

    visitor_ticket

    visitor · Trade visitor (pre-registered)

    —

    official

    hotel_night

    visitor · Mid-range (NEC / Birmingham International)

    GBP 90–160 / per room per night

    estimate

    per_diem

    visitor · Standard

    GBP 45–80 / per person per day

    estimate

    local_transport

    visitor · Rail

    GBP 3–7 / single, Birmingham International → NEC

    estimate

    visa_fee

    visitor · Standard Visitor visa (6 months)

    GBP 127 / per applicant

    official

    visa_fee

    visitor · Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

    GBP 16 / per applicant (2 years)

    official

    visa_fee

    visitor · Entry visa

    USD 20 / per application

    official

    Decision

    Visit, exhibit, or skip?

    Should you go?

    Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

    QUESTION 1 OF 6

    What is your primary role?

    Decision matrix

    Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

    visit

    Recommended when you have a sourcing, ranging or supplier-research objective in UK grocery, convenience, wholesale or foodservice — entry is free for trade visitors, so the cost is travel, accommodation and time.

    Best for

    Buyers, category managers, chefs, wholesalers, distributors and importers sourcing UK food & drink; consultants and journalists tracking NPD and market trends.

    Min. budget

    $470.00

    Timeline

    4–8 weeks: register for a free trade badge, then lock accommodation (NEC-area rooms sell out for show week) and, for non-UK visitors, ETA or visa.

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Hotel rates in the NEC/airport corridor spike during show week and sell out; book 6–8 weeks ahead.

    Visa nationals should allow ~3 weeks for a Standard Visitor visa; the ETA can take up to 72 hours.

    Non-visa-exempt visitors add roughly USD 160 for a Standard Visitor visa to this budget.

    Three days of halls plus three co-located shows is a large footprint — arrive with a mapped target list.

    exhibit

    Recommended when you have a defined UK route-to-market plan, can staff the stand with commercially empowered people, and can pre-book meetings with named buyers before the show.

    Best for

    Food, drink, ingredient, packaging and equipment brands targeting UK retail, convenience, wholesale or foodservice listings, and suppliers seeking national distribution.

    Min. budget

    $2,200.00

    Timeline

    6–9 months for stand space; 8–12 weeks for artwork, samples and lead capture; 6–8 weeks for crew travel and logistics.

    Risks

    Budget estimate from listing cost signals — confirm live rates.

    Stand and shell-scheme pricing is set by the organiser and not published in the listing — request the exhibitor pack for live rates.

    Return on a small stand depends on pre-booked buyer meetings; walk-up traffic alone rarely converts.

    Add logistics costs: sample shipping, refrigeration, courier and an ATA Carnet for imported exhibition goods.

    skip

    Skip if you are a consumer looking for a food festival (entry is trade-only), or if your products/services sit outside food, drink, ingredients, packaging and equipment for UK trade buyers.

    Best for

    Non-food businesses, consumers (the show is trade-only) and companies with no UK retail, wholesale, foodservice or ingredient ambitions in the next 12 months.

    Timeline

    None.

    Risks

    No major risks listed.

    Book with

    Partners

    Recommended providers

    Visa

    UK Visas and Immigration

    Gallery

    Photos

    Official imagery from Food & Drink Expo
    Official imagery from Food & Drink Expo

    FAQs & glossary

    Answers

    Frequently asked

    Trust footer

    Sources

    5

    References

    1

    Publishers

    0

    Date checked

    1

    William Reed

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