Food and Drink Innovation Network : Next seminar

Our Annual UK Organics Summit will be happening on Wednesday 14th May, at the Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham.

The theme this year is "From Fringe To Mainstream" and we think the agenda will appeal to experienced organics hands as well as relative newcomers. Also our previous organics summit was a sell-out so we would advise you to book early.

So organics is now a big player, but there are some big question marks which need serious answers:
What is the real size of the market and it's potential? Is organic food really better for us? Who are the big producers and retailers? What of farmers' markets, box schemes and other channels? How much organic is fake? Does it have to cost more? What do consumers make of it? How do we square organic principles with fairtrade ideals and carbon footprints?

Industry Guru Simon Wright, author of the definitive Handbook Of Organic And Fairtrade Food Marketing , is in the chair and Simon has brought together the industry heavy weights to answer these and other important questions.

Simon will be giving us the big overview, Peter Melchett, Policy Director of The Soil Association will be briefing us on the Soil Association's role and plans, top branding agency Dragon will be presenting exclusive consumer research which alone would cost thousands of pounds to buy, Lizzie Vann, Founder of Organix Brand will be briefing us on the new Organics Trade Group, Ella Heeks of Abel & Cole will spill the beans on box schemes, RDA and "Fresh" will tell us about the out of home market, Russel Smart will take us through the ingredient side, and Helen Taylor, Marketing Director of The Soil Association will debut the big plans for Organics Fortnight.

COMPANIES ATTENDING SO FAR INCLUDE:
Alara Wholefoods, Albert Bartlett and Sons, ASDA, Asda, Bottle Green Wine, Cereal Partners UK, Clipper, Cott Beverages, Dragon Brands, Elliot People, Food & Drink Innovation Network, Fresh Naturally Organic, General Mills, Gerber Juice, Givaudan, Glanbia / Innovation, Green & Black's, Greyfriars, Grove Fresh Organic, Highland Spring, Langmead Farms, Mars, Meridian Foods, Milk Link, National Starch Food Innovation, O & F Consulting, Omsco, Organic Spirits Company, Organix Brands, Produce world, RDA Organic, Ryvita, Serious Food Company, Simply Organic, Soil Association, Soleco UK Ltd, Superquinn, Taste Matters, The Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber, Waitrose, William Reed, Yeo Valley, Young's Bluecrest Seafood.

THE ORGANICS BUSINESS - FROM FRINGE TO MAINSTREAM
Simon Wright, Founder, O&F Consulting
· The big changes in organics wordwide.
· The UK in focus.
· Big sectors, Big Challenges.
· The problems of success!
· Where next?

AUTHENTICITY - MAINTAINING STANDARDS IN AN EXPLODING MARKET
Peter Melchett, Policy Director, The Soil Association
· The changing role of the soil association.
· Big shifts in organics production - from plough to plate.
· The Government's stance and the policies we urgently need to support a healthy nation.
· Emerging nutritional and environmental evidence.
· Global trends and their implications.

THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW ORGANICS TRADE GROUP
Lizzie Vann, Founder, Organix and Chair, Organic Trade Group
· How the O.T.G began.
· Why the O.T.G. meets a pressing need and provides more power behind the organics message.
· What the O.T.G will and won't do.
· Benefits of membership all along the supply chain.

THE ORGANIC CONSUMER - DEBRIEF FROM SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED RESEARCH
Luke Vincent, Client Director, Dragon Brands
· Who buys organics and why - a new segmentation.
· Organics at mealtimes and how to avoid a family row.
· Organics and the new consumer skeptics.
· How to get the changing organics message across?
· How to remain crystal clear in a misted market?

ABEL & COLE – MORE THAN A BOX SCHEME
Ella Heeks, Director, Abel & Cole
· What does the success of Abel &Cole show?
· Range development at Abel & Cole
· Who buys from Abel & Cole?
· More than a box scheme – an alternative route to market.

ORGANICS TO GO - THE OUT OF HOME MARKET
Patrick O’Flaherty, MD of RDA Organics and Chantelle Ludski, MD, Fresh! Naturally Organic
· What we do.
· Why it has worked for us.
· How big could organic out-of-home get ?
· How you can access this market.

ORGANICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Russell Smart, Managing Director, Rasanco
· Farm Production Level.
· Primary Processing Level.
· Secondary Processing Level.
· Exporters, Importers, Traders, Agents & Distributors.
· Examples, of typical problems and solutions at each level of the supply chain, to help businesses protect against the failure of organic ingredient supply.

THE UK ORGANICS MESSAGE - BIG PLANS FROM THE SOIL ASSOCIATION
Helen Taylor, Director of Marketing & Corporate Relations, the Soil Association
· What the Soil Association is doing with industry.
· Plans for 2008-9.
· Organic Fortnight.
· How you can get involved.

NOTE : We may have to make adjustments to the agenda based on the availability of speakers.

Date & Time:
Doors open for early birds: 8:00 am. (Tea, coffee, cheese butties and egg butties for all.)
Seminar begins: 9:10 am.
Coffee/Buffet Lunch/Tea: TBC
Conference finishes: 4:45 pm latest.

Price:
Price: £375 + VAT. Don't let the low price deceive you. We're a non-commercial trade association and you won't find better value than this anywhere.

Venue:
Hilton Metropole - NEC Birmingham. Click here to see a map.