Industry rallies around their annual show, with ceda and FCSI ‘fully supporting’ the move
Commercial Kitchen 2020, the UK’s only dedicated kitchen equipment, services and design show, has confirmed new dates of the 14 and 15 July due to the rapidly escalating coronavirus outbreak.
Commercial Kitchen was set to take place at ExCeL London in early June. However, due to the magnitude of the unanticipated public health and safety issues posed by Covid-19, organiser Diversified Communications UK has decided to run it a month later alongside its award-winning, sister show Casual Dining (which was also recently rescheduled).
Chris Brazier, Diversified UK’s group event director, says: “Commercial Kitchen is firmly established as the two days a year where the industry meets, launches innovations and does business. It’s a vital event for the industry, and those working in, and supplying, foodservice, catering and hospitality will need it even more in the coming months.
“The success, as well as the safety of our exhibitors, speakers and visitors, have always been our priority and this continues to be the case. We are a strong community, we’re all in this together, and I know everyone will get behind this. We have spoken to many exhibitors, visitors and supporters already, and based on the situation and the feedback, the decision to run Commercial Kitchen in July for this year, alongside Casual Dining, is a logical and positive step in these difficult times.
“The Commercial Kitchen team would like to thank everyone – our exhibitors, visitors, partners and suppliers, for their continued support and patience, and we look forward to seeing you on 14-15 July for the busiest and biggest celebration of our industry yet.”
The move has been supported by the show’s key partners ceda and Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI UK & Ireland).
Adam Mason, director of ceda, says: “ceda fully support the move to the new dates and look forward to July at ExCeL where ceda partners should now see even more end user buyers to do business with.”
Louise Willis, executive director at FCSI (UK & Ireland), says: “The FCSI UK&I fully supports the Commercial Kitchen Show, and believes that by holding it alongside Casual Dining in 2020, it will be even more beneficial to members.”
Although the two shows will maintain separate identities and focus, visitors and exhibitors will benefit from a potential boost in seeing an even greater range of products and customers respectively.
Gary Nunn, managing director of Unox UK, says: “Unox UK are 100% in support of the decision to move Commercial Kitchen to the new July dates. It provides more time for us to prepare and ultimately having the show sitting alongside Casual Dining can only be a good thing, as it allows for a larger buying audience.”
Peter Woods, executive chef at Ace Hotel London, says: “Great decision to move my favourite show Commercial Kitchen later and to put it next to my other favourite show Casual Dining. It has my full support.”
Free trade registration
Commercial Kitchen will take place at the new venue of ExCeL London on 14-15 July. For further information and to register, please visit www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk and quote priority code CK29 (direct link: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/CommercialKitchen2020.aspx?TrackingCode=CK29).