Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

IFE Sales Lounge is an integral part of the International Food & Drink Event (IFE), the United Kingdom’s premier trade exhibition for the global food and beverage industry. Hosted biennially in London, IFE is organized by Montgomery Group and serves as a critical platform for food professionals to discover new products, connect with suppliers, and explore market trends. The IFE Sales Lounge specifically functions as a dedicated space within the event, providing bespoke services to exhibitors and facilitating high-value networking opportunities.

Core Business

The primary function of the IFE Sales Lounge is to support the commercial and strategic objectives of exhibitors and buyers during the IFE event. It acts as a centralized hub for:

• Sales facilitation
• Private business meetings
• Trade matchmaking
• Event consultation and service coordination

It is designed to enhance exhibitor ROI and maximize the value of their presence at the event by providing a professional, comfortable setting for B2B interactions.

Service Offerings

The IFE Sales Lounge provides a variety of premium services, tailored to support the business development efforts of stakeholders:

• Private Meeting Spaces: For pre-scheduled and ad hoc business discussions
• Exhibitor Support: Dedicated assistance for booth planning, lead generation, and follow-up support
• Networking Coordination: Access to curated buyer and exhibitor matchmaking
• Event Navigation: Guidance on IFE’s multiple zones, including Exporters Hub, Startup Market, and TechX
• Business Lounge Access: Quiet zones equipped with workstations, refreshments, and Wi-Fi

These services are primarily targeted at high-level decision-makers and international trade professionals attending the event.

Specialization and Core USP

The IFE Sales Lounge distinguishes itself through:

• Strategic matchmaking tools, powered by data-driven exhibitor-buyer profiling
• Exclusive business environment for high-quality commercial conversations
• Direct support from the IFE organizing team
• Integrated scheduling system with IFE’s official mobile app
• Co-location with events such as Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC), The Pub Show, and FoodEx

The Lounge serves as the operational heartbeat for exhibitors looking to convert leads into sales.

IFE Event Overview & Data Highlights

IFE, organized by Montgomery Group, is one of Europe’s largest and most influential food and drink exhibitions:

• Over 27,000 industry professionals attend each edition
• 1,500+ exhibitors from more than 100 countries
• 18 product zones covering retail, wholesale, export, and foodservice sectors
• 70+ hours of live content across innovation, sustainability, and retail strategy
• Hosted buyer program featuring top-tier purchasing managers from Europe, Asia, and MENA

The Sales Lounge plays a pivotal role in enabling these connections through logistical support and professional meeting facilitation.

Target Market

The IFE Sales Lounge is designed to serve:

• Food & beverage exporters and manufacturers
• Retail and hospitality buyers
• Food distributors and importers
• Trade delegations
• Government export agencies

Attendees and users of the Lounge typically represent roles such as Procurement Managers, Export Directors, Retail Buyers, and International Trade Consultants.

Capabilities

• Advanced registration and CRM systems for lead tracking and data capture
• Real-time scheduling tools synced with IFE’s mobile and web platforms
• VIP concierge services for high-value clients and international visitors
• Multilingual staff for international matchmaking
• Bespoke meeting coordination with private scheduling desks on site

Certifications and Compliance

While not a product or manufacturing entity, the IFE Sales Lounge upholds event industry standards including:

• AEO (Association of Event Organisers) member guidelines
• Health & safety compliance as per ExCeL London and UK event regulations
• GDPR-compliant data handling for attendee and exhibitor information

Testimonials

“The IFE Sales Lounge provided an exceptional environment to finalize deals and build new relationships. It’s a must-use space for serious exhibitors.”
— International Sales Director, European Dairy Producer

“As a buyer, having a centralized hub to meet multiple vendors efficiently was incredibly valuable. The lounge team was professional and organized.”
— Head of Procurement, UK Retail Chain

Major Achievements

• Instrumental in facilitating thousands of B2B meetings during each IFE edition
• Hosted over 150 global buyers in VIP delegations at IFE 2023
• Enhanced exhibitor engagement scores by 35% through personalized support
• Supported £100+ million in reported deals and export contracts since 2019

The IFE Sales Lounge remains a critical enabler of international trade success stories within the UK food and beverage sector, offering structured support, strategic engagement tools, and a high-impact environment for business growth.