April 12 2021
By Joyce DiMascio
One of the most popular consumer events on the food and lifestyle calendar, the Good Food & Wine Show, will return to Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne from June this year with a fresh new look.
Foodies and businesses in the hospitality sector flock to this event owned by Talk2Media and Events.
Event Director Claire Back said 2021 was the show’s 21st anniversary so it was fitting to celebrate with a refresh of the show’s look and feel. The event was last run in October 2019.
She also said that exhibitor interest for the four shows is very strong with the floor plan for the June 24 event at ICC Sydney almost sold out.
Tickets for the Sydney show are on sale now. Over four days the event will showcase food and hospitality as well as producers and winemakers from the Hunter Valley to the Southern Highlands, and interstate regions including Margaret River, Barossa, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley.
The event is a major driver of business for its exhibitors who have been impacted by the show not running in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Some of Sydney’s finest eateries, including Nour, byfassnidge, newly launched Ria by Brent Savage and two-hatted plant-based restaurant Yellow, will be taking part in the new Eat Local Restaurant pop-up.
As the Show’s Director, Back shares more about the 2021 Good Food and Wine Show season in an exclusive chat with micenet.
Why the brand refresh?
2021 marks the 21st anniversary of the Good Food & Wine Show (GFWS), and to celebrate we have collaborated with Adelaide based artist Billie Justice Thomson to create a unique set of illustrations that represent what the GFWS is all about.
Billie is known for her iconic food illustrations that celebrate good food, good wine and a great time, which all tie into what our event is about. This new look creative will be used across all digital platforms, printed collateral and on show signage for 2021.
After an unexpected 2020, the team took the time to refresh the brand, with a focus on exciting our loyal visitors and also as a way of capturing the eyes of a new audience.
Good Food & Wine Show Event Director Claire Back
How are you approaching the shows during the pandemic?
The team used the time during 2020 to analyse the events, conducting a full SWOT analysis and developed a thorough and concise COVID-19 Safe Plan from a visitor and exhibitor perspective to ensure we remained true to the brand.
Continuing to strive for the best in the industry, we were constantly in touch with other event organisers, government officials and venues to collaborate and keep up to date with the ever-changing landscape.
Our priority is to provide a safe environment for our staff, exhibitors, partners, visitors and suppliers, as well as instilling consumer confidence to attend the 2021 events.
Strategies we have put in place to ensure we can deliver a terrific show include split session times and wider aisles to assist with crowd density limits, increased frequency of routine cleaning and the introduction of a Thursday evening session. Additional masterclasses have also been added to reflect content that is on-trend.
When was your last event?
The last GFWS event was held in Brisbane 25th– 27th October 2019
What message are you getting from exhibitors?
Exhibitors are very passionate and excited to return to live events.
Many exhibitors saw reduced revenue streams in 2020 when the events did not run and are keen to get back in front of customers face to face.
All of the event partners from 2019 have re-signed for 2021 events, showing enormous support and dedication to the brand. Exhibitor retention is incredibly high and feedback is that the wine and home entertainment industries have continued to boom.
We were in touch with our exhibitors throughout the 18 months of not running events and offered digital marketing support through social platforms and the Good Food & Wine Show Online Shop. The Sydney is event is fast approaching, and we are pleased to share the floor plan is almost sold out.
What are the event dates?
Sydney: June 24 – 27, International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour
Perth: July 30 – August 1, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
Brisbane: October 22 – 24, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Melbourne: November 19 – 21, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
How can exhibitors book?
Exhibitors can get in touch with us through our website or contact me at claire.back@talk2.media.