Pub & Bar, the industry's biggest show, opens at London's Olympia next week. Phil Mellows explains why you should be there.
Over the past eight years, Pub & Bar has evolved into much more than a trade show. If you're expecting a collection of stands and the chance of a free drink brace yourself for an altogether more enlightening experience.
It's not just that this year the show has a fresh look in a bigger brighter venue. Visitors will experience something new at every turn. The stands will be there, of course, 200 of them giving licensees and pubcos the chance to meet suppliers old and new. But Pub & Bar also provides a brilliant opportunity for busy operators to step outside the business and get to grips with the issues and challenges that seem to be mounting inexorably in this industry.
For this is a show with a serious edge that can really help you run your business. Alongside the features that have already made it a must-visit for thousands there are many new attractions.
Wines & Spirits Live! sponsored by WaverleyTBS, will hold tutored tastings, practical showcases and flair demonstrations, while World of Beers will give you the opportunity to taste imported specialist and niche beers from around the world.
That's Entertainment! sponsored by Boru Vodka, Mediatheme and Owl, takes a look at the latest in pub entertainment as well as hosting the grand final of Pub Stars, the largest independent karaoke competition in the country. Visitors will also be treated to flair demonstrations and cocktails in the adjoining bar, courtesy of Boru.
Throughout the show, the Chip & PIN Learning Pavilion will address the practicalities surrounding the new card payment method with a series of talks co-ordinated by the Kilrush Consultancy. Among the old favourites the Food Theatre is back, of course, thanks to foodservice firm 3663, and will this year be focusing on innovations to improve your catering profitability. So is the popular Cask Beer Showcase, which has become a great place for smaller and regional brewers to present their brands to the trade.
There is also plenty going on around the floor of the show where you can find out what's new to boost your business.
Among the exclusive drinks launches at this year's show are Cotleigh 25 from Cotleigh Brewery; Energy Blast, a premium energy drink that contains only eight calories; Gosling's Rum from the Bahamas; mixed vodka drink Rocket Fuel Ice; Lucozade Energy from GlaxoSmithKline and Still Ice, a pocheen-based ready-to-drink from Dillon's.
You can also sample new food products including Cruga biltong, a low-carb, high protein meat snack in six varieties; Grampian Food Service's prime leg of pork, ready stuffed and pre-cooked, and Salcolme Dairy's ice cream.
Beyond food and drink, Pub & Bar features a huge range of equipment such as AV, bar equipment, clothing, catering supplies, air cleaners, EPoS and ATM systems, outdoor equipment and security devices. CleverClear launches an innovative automated line cleaning system; Anchorfast introduces a more comfortable bench table; Cunninghams shows a new range of EPoS kit and Emperor unveils its Video Station.
You'll also be treated to the very first showing of ClickerQuiz, a touchpad quiz game, and Serious Waste Management will be demonstrating its all-new Grease Guzzler.
Plus Pub & Bar is the place to find advice on running your business including marketing, loyalty schemes, legal and insurance services and training and development.
The Official Training Company will be giving information on the new licensing regime as well as the wide range of training courses it provides for the hospitality industry.
The BII, formerly known as the British Institute of Innkeeping, will be offering a 50 per cent reduction in fees for visitors who sign up at the show, as well as offering advice on how to get the most out of membership.
And Acorn Commercial Finance will be launching the Publoans How to buy a Pub guide, a comprehensive starter pack that provides valuable information for anyone wanting to run a pub.
"The amount of new products we have at this year's show is phenomenal," says Sarah Traynor, event director for Pub & Bar. "Whether you want a new drink for your back-bar or the latest advice on industry legislation, you will be able to find what you are looking for at Pub & Bar."
The question is not whether you can afford the time to go - it's whether you can afford not to.
Features include:
- Cask Beer Showcase
- Chip & PIN Pavilion
- Food Innovation Theatre
- That's Entertainment!
- Wine & Spirits Live!
- World of Beers
Where and when:
Pub & Bar, April 19-21, Olympia, London
Opening times:Tuesday: 10.30am - 5.30pmWednesday: 10.30am - 5.30pmThursday: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Register free at www.pubandbar.co.uk or phone 01923 690642
More on Pub & Bar 2005:
- Each year companies choose Pub & Bar to unveil innovations to the pub industry and raise the profile of established products. Click hereare just some of the things you can see at this year's show.
- Click herefor the list of companies exhibiting at this year's Pub & Bar Show at London's Olympia.
- All the latest news on the range of features offered by Pub & Bar 2005 - click here.