“The right idea at the right time” – industry leaders voice their support for new Casual Dining show

With exhibition space filling up fast and several key seminar spots already confirmed, Casual Dining – the new trade event for the UK’s world leading casual dining sector, is well on track for a successful launch next year, at the Business Design Centre, Islington, in London, on 26-27 February 2014.

Diversified Business Communications UK, which has a growing portfolio of market-leading events in the food sector, including the award-winning lunch! exhibition and The Natural Food Show, says it’s delighted with the industry-wide support Casual Dining is receiving.

"It really is fantastic to see the way that the industry is responding to the launch,” comments group event manager Chris Brazier.  “When you consider that the UK branded restaurant market is forecast to be worth as much as £22bn by 2018[1], it’s perhaps not that surprising that so many companies are looking for ways to enjoy a bigger bite of these lucrative out-of-home sales.  So, really, Casual Dining couldn’t have come at a better time.”

It’s not just the exhibitors that are getting behind the Casual Dining concept.  Representatives from The Peach Report, Propel Info, Horizons, and Allegra Strategies, are all confirmed to join the Casual Dining Keynote Theatre programme.  Whilst a host of well-known operators, such as Andrew Guy, CEO of Ed’s Easy Diner Group for example, are lending their support to the launch.  With Guy just the latest addition to a growing list of popular high-street names – including Ask, PizzaExpress, Zizzi, Prezzo, Chimichanga, Pizza Hut and Carluccio’s – that have announced their intentions to send their buyers and specifiers to next year’s Casual Dining show.

"Casual Dining is the right idea at the right time,” comments Andrew Guy, CEO of Ed’s Easy Diner Group.  “A trade show specifically for everyone involved in the fastest growing and most exciting part of the eating out market – I’m looking forward to it!”

"A trade show dedicated to the operators and brands that have changed the dining landscape makes perfect sense and is long overdue,” agrees Clare Riley, editor of Eat Out Magazine.  “I’ve always said that this industry goes beyond celebrity chefs, and now those behind some of the UK’s most popular restaurant and pub brands have somewhere to network, debate and show off.”

With the launch now just under six months away, the latest exhibitors to confirm their presence are McCormick – one of the world’s leading suppliers of spices, seasonings and flavourings; Francis Catering Equipment; Franke Coffee Systems; EPOS specialists Comtrex Systems; Eden Contract Furniture; foodservice distributor SFD; Rich Sauces; and Global Ethics, with its One drinks brand.

Previously confirmed exhibitors include:

• Unox UK
• Cheese Cellar
• Disotto Foods
• Keck Spezialitäten GmbH
• Magrini
• The Handmade Cake Company
• Robot Coupe (UK)
• Alan Nuttall
• Pidy
• Invest Northern Ireland
• Aviko United Kingdom
• Bar & Restaurant Foods
• Catering Design Group
• Halton Foodservice
• JDM Food Group
• Joe Delucci's
• Karimix
• Nelson Catering Equipment
• Redemption Food
• Soulful Food
• The Menu Shop
• Beverage Standards Association
• Essential Cuisine
• Fridge Rentals
• Glamour Puds
• Metro Drinks
• MoreMargin
• Quality Cuisine South West
• Spikomat - Skewers
• The Artisan Bakery
• Whitakers Chocolates
• True Food International UK

Echoing the sentiments of many of his co-exhibitors, Chris Cope from True Food International UK, says:

"Casual Dining gives us a chance to reiterate our commitment to the UK’s foodservice industry.  We look forward to seeing many of our existing customers – and new ones – to discuss their requirements in what is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sectors of the industry.”

To support the launch, Diversified UK has also announced the appointment of a new senior sales executive, Simon Watkins (who can be contacted on SWatkins@divcom.co.uk).  Watkins joins the Casual Dining team, with a strong track record in building successful events in the UK and, more recently, as international project manager for The ITE Group.

"To me Casual Dining stands out as a rare example of a new trade show, which is totally in tune with the changes taking place in its market,” says Watkins.  “It’s a fantastic concept and we’re delighted with the incredible support that we are getting from exhibitors and visitors alike.”

Casual Dining will take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, on 26-27 February 2014.  For further information on exhibiting, please contact Chris Brazier on cbrazier@divcom.co.uk.

Visitor registration is due to open in October 2013, to register an interest in attending, visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk.

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[1] The UK branded restaurant market is set to grow by £5.6 billion over the next 5 years – from £16.4bn in 2013 to 22bn in 2018 [source: Allegra - PROJECT RESTAURANT 2013: UK Branded Restaurant Study]

Media enquiries & press pass request to:
Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645134  e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.divcom.co.uk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5009585
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DiversifiedUK

Exhibitor enquiries to:
Chris Brazier, Group Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645123  e: cbrazier@divcom.co.uk
Website: www.casualdiningshow.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CasDiningShow

Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton and Nailsworth (Glos).  Diversified UK’s portfolio includes Casual Dining; lunch! (winner of Best Marketing Campaign of the Year at the Association of Event Organisers Excellence Awards in 2012, and Best UK Trade Show Exhibition (under 2,000sqm) in 2010 & 2011); The Natural Food Show (part of Natural & Organic Products Europe); Nordic Organic Food Fair in Malmö, Sweden (new for 2013, co-located with Natural Products Scandinavia); Ocean Business (including Offshore Survey Conference & Ocean Careers); MARELEC Marine Electromagnetics conference in Hamburg, Germany; camexpo; office*; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; SITS Europe in Berlin, Germany (new for 2014); Natural Products magazine; and the Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Diversified UK is part of Diversified Business Communications, a leading international media company with a successful portfolio of sector leading exhibition, conferences, publications and websites.

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