Plant Based World Expo is the only 100% plant-based B2B event to attract an audience of buyers and food and beverage professionals from across retail, foodservice, and public sector catering. This unique event will combine a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the biggest and best products in the market, as well as high-level networking and tasting opportunities.
“Our events are a global gathering for these industries to come together”
Abigail Stevens has worked directly with hundreds of brands, from startups to multi-million-dollar corporations, providing advice and helping to market their plant-based products. Utilising knowledge of the sector, she oversees all marketing activities and partnerships for Plant Based World Expo Europe and Plant Based World Expo North America.
Can you share some of the key highlights and new features attendees can expect at the upcoming Plant Based World Expo shows in New York and London this year?
Plant Based World Expo is all about connections, and that’s truer for 2024 than ever before. It’s so important for retail and foodservice providers to be championing plant-based in their businesses – not only for the customers demanding these options – but for sustainability and long-term goals. Our events are a global gathering for these industries to come together and learn about everything plant-based, from sourcing products, gathering insights, making contacts, or just absorbing what the industry has to offer.
“We like to think of it as buyer and supplier speed-dating”
In 2024, we are laser-focused on facilitating those all-important conversations between buyers and suppliers, and arming everybody with the information they need to grow this sector. That includes two new awards programmes – in North America, partnering with Vegpreneur – and in Europe, launching a unique awards programme, the Plant-Based Excellence Awards.
Both awards programmes are geared towards helping buyers have the information they need about the products available in the market to make the best possible purchasing decisions for their businesses. And for the brands? Well, they get to show off how great they are and stand out from the crowd! What’s not to like about that?
The hosted buyer program is a significant addition to the expo. Could you elaborate on how this program works and the benefits it offers to both buyers and exhibitors?
The Hosted Buyer Programme is essentially a hyper-focused matchmaking programme that is designed to connect the right suppliers with the right buyers. Both buyers who partake in the programme and exhibitors at Plant Based World Expo shows are asked sets of questions about what they do and what they’re aiming to achieve. Using this, and data from our partners (including retail analysts SPINS in the US), we’re able to set up in-person meetings during the shows.
We like to think of it as buyer and supplier speed-dating, except we pre-qualify everybody to make sure that the matches are in line with what both parties are looking for ahead of time. The buyers come from many different backgrounds, including retail, distribution, wholesale, foodservice, and non-commercial foodservice. We even have some helpful sales agents who participate in the programme in Europe, who exhibitors can meet with for advice to scale their business overseas.
Can you provide an overview of the diverse range of exhibitors that will be participating this year, particularly any new or innovative companies that stand out?
In New York, you will be able to find a range of businesses from bellwether brands such as Gardein, Oatly, and Impossible Foods to challenger brands like Natures Fynd and Harmless Harvest. In London, you will be able to meet a range of CPG brands such as Plenty Reasons, Dandies Marshmallows, BeanStalk, Dragonfly Foods, and the Mighty Kitchen as well as foodservice-only brands such as NovaMeat (which offers a fantastic range of meat alternatives free from many known allergens!) A common theme at both events is international exhibitors – as there will be international pavilions representing countries such as Brazil, Germany, Italy, and France.
What are some of the most anticipated educational sessions and keynote speeches at this year’s expos, and who are the notable speakers attendees should look out for?
We are fortunate to have experts presenting some of the latest data, trends and insights at both Plant Based World Expo North America and Plant Based World Expo London. In New York City and London, you will be able to hear from SPINS CEO Jay Margolis as he presents “Embracing the Plant-Based Plate: Integrating Plant-Based Products into Everyday Meals”. The Food Marketing Institute will also take to the stage to feedback on consumer research and shopper’s reactions to plant-based.
“…it’s vital that any investment in attending events delivers a good return for business”
For the Europe edition, Plant Futures and GFI will present some of the latest data on the plant-based market from the mainland. At both shows, educational sessions will cover topics such as menu development, innovations in retail, sustainable catering, and everything in between. What I’m most excited about is that all sessions are included in the passes for both shows this year – which I hope can help us inspire, connect and inform as many people in the industry as possible!
How do you see the Plant Based World Expo influencing the plant-based industry, both in terms of fostering business connections and driving consumer trends in the coming years?
With the plant-based industry going through a corrective period in the past 12 months, it’s vital that any investment in attending events delivers a good return for business. That goes for both our attendees and our exhibitors.
Plant Based World Expo is the platform to support business growth in the plant-based industry and we will continue to serve our community and help them thrive. Join us, you can register for both events now!
The European event takes place at ExCeL London on 13-14th November 2024. Online registration is available at: https://plantbasedworldeurope.com/register/.
The North American event takes place at the Javits Center in New York City on September 11-12, 2024. Online registration is available at: https://plantbasedworldexpo.com/register/
