The Source trade show is the latest food event to postpone

The Source trade show, a leading event in the food and drink industry, will be postponed until June 2021 following continued uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s the latest in a series of food shows going virtual or delaying due to coronavirus.

Originally due to be held in February next year, the show will now take place from 8th-9th June 2021 at Westpoint Exeter. Mike Anderson, managing director of Hale Events, the show’s organisers, said,“Based on current market conditions, in this extraordinary year, we do not believe that running the show in February will present the best opportunity for the food and drink sector in the SW.”

The Source trade show will have Covid-19 measures in place in June to ensure a safe environment for buyers and exhibitors.

“Although postponing Source was not an easy decision, we are delighted to have secured these new dates, which will allow visitors to trade though Easter and the spring, before coming to find new products and suppliers for summer and beyond,” Mike said.

It follows the decision by Montgomery Group to push the IFE back to February 2022 due to a lack of guidance and clarity from the government on when business events will be able to restart.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Speciality Food Show and Top Drawer have decided to forego the risks of holding a physical event by taking their shows online in 2021. Scotland’s Speciality Food Show will run as an online directory for the whole of 2021, which show director Mark Saunders said would provide buyers with an opportunity to source products throughout the year.

A number of trade shows and food industry events were cancelled or moved online this year due to the coronavirus crisis, and with the continued uncertainty around the virus, it appears that show runners will still be taking a cautious approach to the events scheduled in 2021.