In 2022, the industry will welcome thinkfood LIVE, presented by foodpro, a new event highlighting technologies that will shape the future of the industry.
New products are launched every month in Australian food retail stores. It’s time to welcome an event that showcases the best services and technology that enable those new creations.
Australians are increasing their expenditure on groceries. Even in these uncertain times, consumers are moving beyond the standard pantry items – they are looking to explore new tastes, and with an increase in food demand and variety comes the need for innovation.
In order to compete, grocery retailers are constantly looking for new products to differentiate themselves from their competitors and drive basket value.
New food and beverage products will be sought if manufacturers look to answer consumer demand and deliver in taste and performance.
thinkfood LIVE has been designed as the epicentre of a 360-product solution that will help food professionals take product ideas to the next level and transform them into market realities with the help of food industry suppliers.
thinkfood LIVE is presented by foodpro, the longest running and largest event for food and beverage manufacturing in Australia.
Explore a brand-new event offering
Whatever stage of new product development, thinkfood LIVE is here to cover the process and bring everything the industry needs to stay ahead of the latest market trends.
A product may be in its first steps of ideation, such as pinpointing the target market, or the final stages of choosing the best sustainable packaging to make a positive impact on supermarket shelves.
Thinkfood LIVE aims to cater to each step of ideation and creation.
thinkfood LIVE show floor covers:
- Market research – get the results to make the best decisions for success, find the best in consumer research to scope out what’s needed in today’s competitive consumer market.
- Food science and technology – the science behind new products, test and make sure a product is ready to hit the market.
- Ingredients and flavours – new ingredients, flavours, fragrances, and everything in-between to make a product match the producer’s vision.
- Logistics and supply chain – check out the best ways to streamline a business’ needs, such as supply chain tracking technologies.
- Packaging design – meet with the best design agencies in the business and see a product become a next best-seller.
- Packaging solutions – eco-friendly, sustainable, and innovative products. Don’t miss out on everything that pops in food and drink packaging to entice people to taste what is within.
This is an event where both visitors in the creative and technical side of food and beverage manufacturing can discover solutions to make the most of product development process.
Bridge the gap between insights, ideas, and execution
Taking place across two days at Carriageworks in Sydney, this exhibition space reflects the creative nature of the food industry. thinkfood LIVE features both an exhibition floor and accompanying conference.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore product solutions and chat with suppliers on the show floor, as well as hear from experts in food innovation during daily content streams.
The event is partnering with the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST) and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) to curate content that focuses on the topics of commercial, science and technology, and design and creative, with the aim of bridging the gap between New Product Development (NPD) ideas and NPD execution, featuring consumer insights and trends that will help inform NPD for food industry professionals.
Benefits of live events for the industry
Live trade events in this industry have taken a hit during the pandemic, with most food industry events either having to cancel or reschedule.
The pandemic may not be behind us, but with restrictions have been eased and Australia has reopened, which means the industry can look forward to a return to the exhibitor show floor.
Events such as thinkfood LIVE, allow the industry to reunite with peers and create strong business relationships that are formed with face-to-face conversation.
Diversified Communications Australia, event organisers for thinkfood LIVE and foodpro, recently conducted research with its event visitor database to gauge the sentiment towards live events and the importance for the industry.
They discovered an overwhelming support, with 94 per cent of respondents saying that attending trade exhibitions was important for their business and 77 per cent preferring to attend a face-to-face format event.
This level of results demonstrates the value that live events have for the industry. Online hasn’t replaced the experience of seeing products and speaking with suppliers face-to-face.
Further to this, 85 per cent of respondents would attend events the same amount or more frequently in the future showing that confidence in the market continues to build.
Getting involved in 2022
Exhibitors can expect to meet the brightest minds in FMCGs, food and beverage manufacturing and product development. thinkfood LIVE is an opportunity to be at the heart of product creation, where brands are placed in front of Australia’s top food professionals.
Becoming an exhibitor in 2022 will position companies among industry professionals, generate new business and offer access to marketing and networking benefits – from food science and ingredient testing through to enabling technologies and packaging design.
thinkfood LIVE takes place 9-10 November 2022, Carriageworks, Sydney, registration to attend the event will open later this year.