Deliveroo, Sainsbury’s, Wagamama, BOSH!, and Green & Blacks will be amongst the plant-based industry pioneers that take to the stage at Plant Based World Expo Europe’s conference programme when it returns to Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December 2022.

The conference aims to help retailers, food service professionals, and investors better understand the opportunities plant-based food presents and how to capitalise on the growing demand.

Keynote Speakers

The event’s free-to-attend keynote speaker sessions will be open to all visitors and will offer professionals a holistic insight into the progress of the industry so far, and the opportunities ahead.

Day one’s keynote will explore how the industry exploded onto the mainstream and how its beginnings influence the future with a panel consisting of those who championed animal and dairy-free products from the early days; Co-founder of Green & Blacks, Craig Sams, CEO at Quorn Foods, Marco Bertacca, and Founder of Tofurky, Seth Tibbott.

The show’s closing keynote, delivered by the BOSH! duo Ian Theasby and Henry Firth, will provide a window into the future of the fast-moving sector. They will be joined by Director of Product & Innovation at Sainsbury’s, Claire Hughes, and CEO & Founder of Meatless Farm, Morten Toft Bech, as they analyse the 21^st century consumer and the opportunities that remain to veganise all dishes, from all cultures.

Learning Garden

Visitors to the show will also have access to seminars hosted in The Learning Garden on the event floor. Here, expert speaks will aim to provide tangible takeaways for visitors to incorporate into their own businesses.

• Florence Dusseaux, Vegan Expert at Vegg2Food, will provide a full study of the plant-based industry, discussing the rapidly growing European market and the nuances between each country
• Charlotte Maurer, International Sales and Business Development at V-Label International, will consider the power of the certification amongst consumers and how it can be used to boost sales
• A panel including experts from ProVeg UK and pioneers Plant Based School Kitchens will consider the growing demand amongst students for more plant-based options, and how school providers can respond

Conference Sessions

Alongside a host of open content, a ticketed conference will also take place at the show, offering curated content for retailers, foodservice professionals, and investors.

• From Wagamama, Head of Brand Development, Emily Weston, and Executive Chef, Surendra Yejju, will share offer advice on persuading consumers to try plant-based following the brand’s commitment to a 50% plant-based menu
• With fine dining set to be the next frontier for plant-based foods, a panel including including Owner & Managing Director at Gauthier Soho Restaurant, Alexis Gauthier, will explore the how classic cooking can incorporate plant-based. Alexis will share how he swapped classical French cuisine for championing redefine meat.
• Head of the Vegan Category at Deliveroo, Elena Davies, will analyse the shopping habits of Gen Z and share how understanding them is key to responding to the next generation’s buying habits
• Pete Speranza, CEO at Wicked Foods, will assess the business case for investing in plant-based following significant interest in the sector, including by celebrities such as Woody Harrelson and Billie Eilish

Managing Director of Plant Based World Expo Europe, Jonathan Morley, comments: “The youngest generations taking an increasingly keen interest in plant-based foods, This, coupled with increased interest in flexitarianism from all ages, means retailers and food service providers need to act differently to capitalise on the business opportunity these newer audiences represent. This shift also means the plant-based industry represents a new and exciting investment opportunity, something we have seen work to great effect with companies like Wicked Food.

“Plant-based is the future of food, and our conference programme is designed to offer professionals across the entire supply chain advice on how they can truly embrace this and beat competitors in the race to provide the very best plant-based foods for discerning consumers.”

To view the full conference programme, or to register to attend the show, please visit https://www.plantbasedworldexpo.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

About Plant Based World Europe

Plant Based World Expo is the only 100% plant-based event for trade professionals – retailers, foodservice, hospitality, distributors, manufacturers, and investors. This unique show combines a world-class conference with an international exhibition of the most innovative products on the market, as well as high-level networking and product tasting opportunities.

The mission of Plant Based World Europe is simple: connecting and empowering businesses to successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products.  Plant Based World Europe is arriving at Olympia London on 31^st November – 1^st December, register online.