ICE CREAM EXPO 2011 ANNOUNCED

BRITS' ICE CREAM LOVE AFFAIR ATTRACTING GLOBAL INTEREST AT UK EXPO

Britain's love of ice cream is attracting exhibitors from across the world looking to take a share of the £1.3bn market.

The UK market remains strong despite increases in commodity prices and the industry's major event of the year - the Ice Cream Expo 2011 - is proving a major draw to companies large and small.

Organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, the event scheduled for 1-3 November at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, is on course for another record breaking year.

Ice Cream Alliance Chief Executive Officer Zelica Carr said consumer demand for ice cream remained strong thanks to good weather in Spring and Summer combined with manufacturers and retailers working hard to absorb costs from commodity and energy hikes.

"The expo is the biggest of its kind and we would expect millions of pounds worth of business will be generated from this event.

"The ice cream industry is in good shape in spite of the challenges that have come our way with new ice cream manufacturers continuing to enter the market.

"The expo will be attracting key decision makers in the industry who are keen to take advantage of the latest innovations in manufacturing techniques and retail strategy.

"Visitors to the show represent a large portion of the available spend within the industry including machinery manufacturers, static and mobile retailing and food service operators. "

The expo will also host the National Ice Cream Competition which this year will include representatives from Britain's major supermarkets on the judging panel.

It will also be the venue for the first European Gelato Championship with the winners going forward to compete against traditional ice cream makers from nine European countries at the final in Berlin.

Zelica Carr added:"We have a thriving industry with new ice cream makers joining the sector all the time to meet the British public's love of quality ice cream.

"These smaller producers are also taking advantage of the opportunities being presented by national supermarket retailers for good regional produce.

"Certainly anyone who is in the ice cream business or thinking of diversifying into it needs to be at this exhibition."

Further information can be obtained at www.ice-cream.org or by contacting the ICA on 01332 203333.

ENDS

Media Contact: Steve Verrill – VPR – 01430 871166 or 07803 589282

Note to Editors: The Ice Cream Alliance represents more than 650 businesses in Great Britain, Ireland and around the world involved in the manufacturing, retail and catering of ice cream and related products
The ICA has long established links with all Government bodies, particularly DEFRA and the Department of Health (DoH) and is continually involved in putting forward and supporting the views of members.
The UK ice cream market was estimated at £1.3billion in 2009. Source: Mintel.