The Source trade show and Expowest Cornwall celebrate successful 2025 show and announces 2026 dates Following this year’s successful events, The Source trade show and Expowest Cornwall – two of the UK’s leading events for the food, drink, and hospitality sector – have announced the 2026 dates. And for a sector that’s hungry for high-quality events, there’s more good news: a new show will launch in 2026. The Source trade show 2025: The best of retail & hospitality on show Held at Westpoint Exeter, The Source trade show once again proved to be an unmissable event for industry professionals. The show featured more than 200 diverse exhibitors, from local producers to renowned brands, offering visitors an unrivalled range of products and services, invaluable networking opportunities, and a unique insight into the latest trends and innovations. Partnership with Taste of the West highlighted the region’s finest offerings, and for the first time, the Guild of Fine Food brought a group of Great Taste Award winners, for the region’s buyers to sample and order. Expowest Cornwall 2025: A focus for Cornish business Expowest Cornwall once again showed why it’s the heart of Cornwall’s food, hospitality, and catering community. The event showcased a comprehensive range of products and services, from fresh produce and bakery items to cutting-edge catering equipment and business services, alongside more than 50 leading drinks brands brought together by distributor LWC. Many first-time visitors to Expowest Cornwall are surprised by just how much is on offer. With everything from essential supplies to new innovations all under one roof, Expowest Cornwall made it easy to find everything needed for the year ahead – without the need to look elsewhere. Mike Anderson, Managing Director of Hale Events, organisers of both events, said, “These two shows bring together the best of the South West food and drink industry, offering fresh ideas, exceptional networking, and access to the best suppliers. They provide the perfect place to prepare for a successful year. We’re delighted to be launching our new trade show to Somerset in 2026, bringing this proven recipe to a region that that hasn’t previously had an event like these.” Looking ahead: 2026 dates announced Planning ahead is crucial for businesses in this sector, with the 2026 shows dates now here: • The Source trade show: Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th February, at Westpoint, Devon – thesourcetradeshow.co.uk. • Expowest Cornwall: Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th March at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Cornwall – expowestcornwall.co.uk. • NEW – The Source Roadshow: Wednesday 25th February, at the Bath & West Showground, Somerset - sourceroadshow.co.uk. Attending these shows enables buyers to connect directly with key suppliers, discover new products and the latest industry innovations, and understand the trends shaping the regional market. If your business is in food retail, catering or hospitality, these friendly, professional shows are well worth a visit. In just a few hours you’ll find the products and services that will help give you a competitive edge in the South West. For more information, please visit the shows’ websites, or contact Hale Events on +44 (0)1934 733 433. Christmas & Gift 2025 finishes on a high The year 2025 certainly began on a high note for the UK’s only festive trade show – Harrogate Christmas & Gift – as exhibitors and visitors turned up in large numbers to not only see the latest products the industry had to offer; but to celebrate a few important milestones too. Whilst the fair celebrated its 75th anniversary this year, one exhibitor, Playwrite, boasted having attended every single show since it began! Warren Cornelius, one of the directors of Harrogate Christmas & Gift, first attended the event himself as an exhibitor in 1967. However, his predecessor Syd Vening (who joined the company with his brother-in-law William (Con) Cornelius and took over the reins on Con’s death in 1944), was one of the show’s founders when it began its journey in Harrogate as International Toy Fair. Fast forward seven decades and the show never fails to impress. The halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre were absolutely packed with an array of fabulous products, not only for Christmas but for celebrations throughout the year. New colours and trends are presented each season and for Christmas 2026 it looks as though we will be seeing lots of rustic colours with autumnal hues; and pretty bold colour mixes such as purple with pink and blue with brown. Quality wrapping and packaging was also trending with a number exhibitors displaying gift wrap, gift boxes, labels, cards and adornments to make gift giving that extra bit special. The traditional Christmas cracker appears to be returning in popularity – and family pooches will be topping Santa’s wish list next year with a selection of dog toys and baubles to choose from. Kerry Brassil of Listowell Garden Centre in Ireland, told us: “It’s been a great show and we placed lots of orders. I loved seeing more unusual colour mixes this year. It’s so nice to see so many bold and retro colour schemes.” Exhibitors were happy with the quality of visitors and buyers too with Tara Hardman of RSW commenting: “RSW had a great show. Our sales figures were up by a whopping 80 percent on 2024. Many of our existing customers visited us and we also gained a lot of new customers. Once again, the show was great for networking.” Alan Pimm of SIL Interiors reiterated this adding: “Harrogate Christmas & Gift was very successful for SIL with both orders and quotes substantially up on last year’s show. Visitor numbers to our stand also increased and we look forward to re-booking for 2026.” This was the second year that Jackson’s Comprehensive Retail Supplies exhibited in Harrogate and Greg Jackson of the company told us that it was their most successful trade show to date. “We noticed a significant increase in footfall to our stand, which was incredibly encouraing. Not only did we engage with more visitors but secured numerous orders during the event. This has had a positive impact on our business and we are thrilled with the results.” Next year, Harrogate Christmas & Gift will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from Sunday 11th to Wednesday 14th January 2026. 12
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=