January is normally a relaxing month for most in the food and drink industry. A chance for businesses to take a breather after that hectic period over Christmas. It’s normally also a time in Scotland when we look forward to Scotland’s Speciality Food Show at the SEC in Glasgow. This show is normally held in January on the second last Sunday and the following Monday and Tuesday. However due to covid there hasn’t been an in person show since January 2020.
The show was scheduled to return in January 2022 but was postponed and was finally held on the 27th – 29th March. Would it be the same with a date change? Would it get the same visitors? Well, the whole Food from Farming team were at the show and we really enjoyed it but we weren’t buying so what did others think?
I’ve attended the trade show for at least the last seven years and yes it is to get your products on show to potential trade customers, to engage with them and to introduce new lines. BUT it is also really important to those who are exhibiting. It’s a chance for the industry to catch up with one another face to face and all under one roof. To see how the last year has been in our businesses and discuss our plans going forward. The sector is really supportive of one another and you can rely on them to give you honest advice and feedback.
So you can imagine how much the industry has been craving an opportunity to chat to one another after the last 26 months in what has been a very difficult time for all. We chatted to businesses that we hadn’t seen since January 2020, we swapped our stories of the rollercoaster time that we’ve had with the ups and downs that have been. We sampled and commented on new products AND we picked up new customers and chatted to existing ones. We left all feeling better and looked forward to returning in January 2023. What do I think the show was like? I personally thought it was exactly what these businesses needed and for their mental health more than anything as there has been such a feeling of isolation.
Roll on next January when we can all meet again.
