Attending an industry conference as a food and drink producer can feel like a juggling act. You want to learn, network, and grow your business — but you also need to sell, promote your brand, and make sure your products are being seen.
The good news? With the right approach, you can absolutely do both.
Here’s how to make the most of your time at the Nourish Conference.
Treat the day as both a learning opportunity and a sales platform
Nourish isn’t just about having a stall. It’s about building relationships, gaining insight, and positioning your brand within the wider food and drink community, beyond Tastebuds.
Go in with two clear objectives:
- What do you want to learn?
- Who do you want to connect with?
Review our agenda in advance (available on Eventbrite) and prioritise talks that align with your growth plans - whether that be ensuring your product has health benefits, how to save funds in the future or how to grow your brand with local grants .
At the same time, be intentional about networking. Some of your most valuable conversations won’t happen behind your stall — they’ll happen in the room.
Make the most of the free market stall
One of the biggest advantages for Tastebuds members is the free market stall included as part of the day, worth £50.
This is a huge opportunity.
It means:
- You can showcase and sell your products
- You gain visibility with attendees and the public
- You create brand awareness without additional exhibition fees
- You can earn some income on the day
Because the stall is included, many producers choose to hire someone to run it for the day.
This allows you to:
- Attend talks and workshops
- Have proper conversations with buyers or collaborators
- Step away to network without worrying about missing sales
- Work on your business rather than being stuck working in it
Think of it as giving yourself the freedom to maximise the entire conference — not just your space.
Use the built-in breaks to your advantage
The Nourish Conference is designed with generous breaks throughout the day. These aren’t just coffee breaks — they’re strategic opportunities.
Use these times to:
- Check in on your stall
- Support during busy periods (especially lunchtime)
- Speak directly to customers who’ve shown interest
- Restock, refresh displays, or tweak messaging
Lunchtime in particular can be one of the busiest trading windows.
Being present then allows you to:
- Sample products
- Share your story face-to-face
- Convert interest into lasting connections
The rhythm of the day means you can dip in and out of your stall without sacrificing the learning and networking opportunities happening elsewhere.
Focus on long-term relationships, not just sales
Yes, sales on the day are great — but Nourish is about more than turnover.
It’s about:
- Meeting potential stockists
- Connecting with collaborators
- Building visibility in your local food ecosystem
- Learning from others who are on the same journey
A single conversation could lead to wholesale orders, partnerships, or media opportunities down the line.
Go in with a long-term mindset.
Did you know, Tastebuds' first conference allowed one business a connection that made the over £1m?
Follow up promptly
The real value of conferences often comes after the event.
Within a few days ensure you:
- Email new contacts
- Connect on LinkedIn
- Send information to potential buyers
- Add new subscribers to your mailing list (with permission)
Momentum fades quickly — act while conversations are fresh.
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