One of the South West’s largest regional conferences dedicated to the food and drink industry took place in Cornwall on Thursday 2 April 2009), bringing together over 100 delegates.

The day long conference, which was aimed at aspiring food, drink and agriculture businesses in the region, featured a programme of high calibre speakers and industry experts.

Organised by The Chartered Institute of Marketing and sponsored by Milk Link, the event took place at the Food Innovation Centre at Duchy College, near Callington, Cornwall. Conference speakers from organisations such as: The Guild of Fine Food, Tesco and Lloyds TSB covered issues around: routes to market, finance, communications and innovation.  

The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s food, drink and agriculture ambassador for the South West, John Taylerson said: “The interest around this event highlights how important the food and drink industry is to the South West, and shows just how many local businesses and producers are keen to develop their knowledge and understanding. By bringing together award winning processors, communicators and ancillary organisations from across the country, hopefully we have inspired and encouraged businesses within the sector to not only get
through these tough economic times, but develop and thrive.” 

Deirdre Makepeace, a director of South West Food and Drink added: “The quality of this morning’s presentation has been excellent from a marketing point of view. The information was incredibly robust. Professor Andrew Fearne, principal research fellow at Kent business school illustrated how research demonstrates the depth of consumer buyer habits. He gave some positive
suggestions on how producers can access and use this information.
The conference is really providing information and techniques that delegates
can take away with them.”

Another of the key speakers at the event was Jo Wren, marketing manager for Tesco. Jo, who addressed delegates on the subject of routes to market, added: “It is immensely important to keep the food and drink networks open in the region and businesses within the sector have got to keep talking to each other. This event provided the perfect opportunity for businesses and organisations to share and pass on critical advice and information.”

To find out more information about other Chartered Institute of Marketing events happening across the region contact The Institute’s regional branch events team on 01628 427340 or email [email protected].
Or visit the website at www.cim.co.uk.

Download conference presentations: (all in PDF format)

• Understanding shoppers: the missing ingredient in sustainable business development
  Professor Andrew Fearne
  
  
• Finance
  Alan Stone ~ Group Marketing Manager, Old Mill accountants and financial advisers
  
  
• Hitting the Headlines
  LindaDonaldson, Geometry PR
  
  
• INNOVATION - How we address “authenticity”
  Matthew Shaw, Bart Spices
  
  
• A recipe for a successful comms campaign
  Dom Lane, Bray Leino
  
  
• Independent Food Sector and its routes to market
  John Farrand, Guild of Fine Food