Are you interested in growing your Foodservice business as an additional revenue stream for your business in 2025?
- Are you aware of the huge opportunities in Foodservice in Ireland?
- Would you like an individual Roadmap & Action plan for your business to target & Grow your Foodservice channel?
- Would you like to attend or exhibit at Catex 2025 – Irelands Largest Food Service & Hospitality Exhibition?
- Delivered by James Burke & Associates
Why not consider the Food Service Sales Support Programme.
Introduction:
This programme is targeted at food and drink producers and covers a foodservice training programme plus attendance for producers at the CATEX 2025 Show. Irelands Food Service Market is worth €9.3 Billion. Last year, the foodservice industry on the island of Ireland grew by 13%.
CATEX, Ireland’s largest foodservice and hospitality event, will return to the RDS, Simmonscourt on February 18th – 20th 2025.
Over 14,000 domestic and international trade buyers, chefs and food & beverage managers attend this event, which takes place every 2 years. Buyers from foodservice operators like Musgrave Marketplace, Compass, Dalata (Clayton and Maldron Hotels) as well as hundreds in independent cafes and restaurants all attend this show.
While this trade show attracts foodservice buyers from Ireland and abroad, the show also attracts buyers from all the main retailers and is regarded as one of the best opportunities to secure commercial product listings (within 6-9 months of the show).
Who is this suitable for ?
Are you an SME food producer (LEO Clients) who already has a small presence supplying the foodservice sector, and those who might be established with their retail supply, but now wish for the first time to expand into the foodservice sector. Also included are those who are export ready and are targeting the foodservice sector overseas.
The Programme at a Glance
There are two components to the programme, a training and upskilling programme and a producer showcase opportunity at the CATEX show.
Key programme stages:
• Pre programme producer online foodservice capability needs analysis
• 3 x half day foodservice route to market upskilling workshops (online)
• 1 x half day visual merchandising workshop (in person)
• 1 x CATEX stand display visual merchandising mentor session (online)
• 2 x foodservice route to market mentoring sessions (online)
• Live CATEX Show practical training support by James Burke & team.
• James Burke & team will capture top 5 leads from each producer at end of show
• Foodservice sector guest speakers at workshops
• CATEX management team presentation to participants in advance of show
• Post show 90 minute “buyer follow up” workshop (online)
Workshop Dates
WS1 23rd Oct - Online
WS2 14th November 10.00 – 13.00 - Online
WS3 28th November 10.00 – 13.00 – In Person - TBC
WS4 16th January 10.00 – 12.00 – Online
CATEX Attendance (Exhibitor or Walk Through) – Feb 18th-20th ‘25
WS5 26th February 2025 10.00 – 11.30 – Online
Programme Structure
Pre-Programme Producer Online Foodservice Capability Needs Assessment
Each participant will complete an online assessment to determine foodservice knowledge and existing capabilities, and to identify training needs in relation to foodservice sector supply.
• Current knowledge levels of the foodservice sector.
• Current channels supplied in the foodservice sector.
• Food safety and other standards already in place.
• Spare capacity and ability to service the foodservice sector.
• Product ranges available suitable for foodservice supply.
• State of readiness of foodservice marketing material etc.
• Identification of LEO supports not yet availed of.
Workshops
Workshop 1: Foodservice Sector Overview (online)
• 3-hour online workshop
• Full sector and channel overview
• How the foodservice sector differs very much from the retail sector supply
• Meeting the needs of the sector and opportunities for producers e.g. kitchen de-skilling
• Guest Speaker
Workshop 2: Sales Growth Drivers within the Foodservice Sector (online)
• 3-hour online workshop
• Securing foodservice buyer attention
• Critical importance of gap analysis
• Understanding the operator’s business
• Preparing the approach and winning with foodservice buyers
• The key sales formula with foodservice distributors
• Marketing material/brochures and foodservice tab on website
• Training distributor sales reps
• Getting out on the road with distributor reps
• Guest input national foodservice buyer
Workshop 3 Visual Merchandising (in person. Venue TBC)
• 3-hour in person workshop (workshop location equidistant from producers’ location)
• Understanding the display objectives
• Display essentials and top tips
• Communicating brand messages and USP to foodservice buyers
• Optimising the use of colour and food product display
• Creating a CATEX Visual Merchandising checklist
Workshop 4: CATEX Show Preparation (online)
• 2-hour online workshop
• Trade buyer preparation sign off
• Recognizing the success factors when attending CATEX
• Guest input from CATEX management team for tips and advice
• Creating final trade buyer checklist for Catex 2025
• Templates will be provided to participants for recording key prospects, etc.
Workshop 5: CATEX Post Show Buyer Follow Up
• 90-minute workshop (online)
• Post show follow up emails, scheduling meetings and prioritising contacts
• Sense check with each producer that all required follow ups have been completed
• Tips and hints about how to handle buyers who are slow to re-engage
• Preparing buyer pitches
Route to Market Mentoring
Each participant will receive two mentor sessions focused on commercial route to market planning, identifying target trade buyers and pinpointing actions the producer needs to take to be ready to capitalise on the CATEX show and the foodservice route to market opportunities.
Visual Merchandising Mentoring
Participants will receive one visual merchandising mentor session which will focus on the display best practice to be in place to ensure a successful show. This mentor session will follow on from the visual merchandising workshop and will build on skillsets demonstrated during the workshop, but on an individual producer level. Producers will be supported with check lists and bespoke action plans.
Fee: €150: including Workshops Training & Mentoring
(includes partial payment towards CATEX Stand – Also can be partially covered by applying for a LEO Tame grant worth up to €2,500 towards T&S costs)
For more Information please also email Deirdre O'Mahony EMAIL
or book your place
https://www.localenterprise.ie/CorkNorthandWest/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Foodservice-Sales-Growth-and-Catex-Support-programme.html
