With the Scottish Wholesale Association’s 2019 Annual Conference at Crieff Hydro from May 31-June 2 just a few weeks away, details have been unveiled of the high-profile event’s first ever Producers’ Exhibition, in collaboration with Scotland Food & Drink.
Part of the new SWA conference initiative Keeping Scotland Local, the exhibition will provide up to 20 local producers and suppliers – some shortlisted in the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards taking place in Edinburgh on 23rd May – with an opportunity to meet buyers, decisionmakers and owners of SWA member wholesalers.
“The exhibition on the Friday of our conference is part of a collaborative approach with key partners to help develop and grow the food and drink industry in Scotland,” says Colin Smith, SWA chief executive.
“It will give suppliers direct access to key individuals who can help them expand distribution of their produce on a local and national basis. By working with Scotland Food & Drink and linking in with the national tourism strategy the exhibition will also help identify new/upcoming trends as well as focus on developing the Scottish food marketplace.”
Three areas of focus for this year’s conference are technology, incorporating training; Scotland’s future growth opportunities; and food trends. “These themes also link into the SWA’s work in engaging with key stakeholders to help deliver Ambition 2030, a Scottish Government-supported initiative to double Scotland’s food and drink turnover to £30bn by 2030.”
Speakers confirmed for the business sessions include Paul Miller, co-founder and Chief Executive of Fife-based distillery and brewery Eden Mill; Matt Goddard, wholesale trading director at PepsiCo; Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA); and Jill Livesey, Managing Director of industry research and insights specialist, HIM.
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