NEC secures two-year deal for new exhibition

NEC

The NEC has clinched a two-year deal to stage a new exhibition in the region.

The deal sees the National Exhibition Centre become the base for new vegan exhibition, The Thrive Show.

The exhibition, which takes place between April 28-29, 2018, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team and Veganuary co-founders, Matthew Glover and Jane Land.

It aims to bring together meat-reducers, flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans with a number of large businesses and independent retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and catering companies.

Thrive Show managing director Mr Glover, said: “It was important to us for the launch venue to help us reach the widest audience possible, and, along with being the UK’s umber one venue, the NEC has such fantastic connectivity we are able to reach the largest possible audience.”

He said that past decade veganism had proved to be a steadily-growing trend reflecting people’s desire for long-term change in their eating habits. Crucially, the trend shows no sign of abating.

“This is an exciting time for plant-based eating in the UK and Thrive aims to take it directly into the mainstream. We will bring together the brightest, the quirkiest, the biggest and the best of what the UK has to offer,” he added.

The Thrive Show will also feature a learning zone with areas dedicated to health and fitness, cookery, and food technology, while nutritionists and plant-based doctors will give talks in a ‘super theatre’. There will also be a specially-created Muscle Beach where athletes from many disciplines will demonstrate how plant-based foods have enhanced their sporting performance.

David Gallagher, senior business development manager, NEC said: “This is going to be a fantastic show and we are delighted that Matthew and Jane are bringing (it) to the NEC. We have worked with them previously and have (the) confidence (to) make this new innovative show a success.”

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