The unmissable IFEX 2026 is back
Northern Ireland’s flagship trade event for foodservice, hospitality and retail – IFEX 2026 – returns from 24–26 February 2026 to its new home at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, promising three days of live competitions, innovation, and industry inspiration.
Organised by 365 Events Ltd, IFEX 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest and most ambitious edition yet, with an expanded exhibition floor and a line-up of exciting new features designed to inspire and connect professionals from across the sector. From cutting-edge products and emerging technologies to live competitions and hands-on demonstrations, IFEX 2026 will once again set the stage for the industry’s very best.
The move to the Eikon Exhibition Centre marks an exciting new chapter for the event. With increased floor space, enhanced visitor facilities, and over 4,000 free car parking spaces, the Eikon provides the perfect platform for IFEX’s continued growth. The venue’s scale and accessibility will allow organisers to deliver more content than ever before, offering visitors an unrivalled experience and exhibitors greater opportunity to showcase their brands to a growing audience of industry professionals.
New features and returning favourites
A hub for creativity and talent, the renowned Salon Culinaire returns, featuring the ever-popular Chef Skills Live Theatre – where hundreds of chefs will compete in back-to-back live competitions. Alongside this, the IFEX Great Taste Market will bring together award-winning producers and artisan food makers, while Edible Art will showcase incredible skill and imagination from chefs across Ireland.
New for 2026, IFEX Kitchen Live!, in association with Chef Network, will bring an exciting interactive cooking theatre to the show. Hosted by celebrity chef Suzi Lee, this feature will showcase some of Ireland’s top chefs creating dishes live on stage whilst chatting with Suzi, offering visitors a front-row seat to watch and hear from top culinary talent.
Also new to the show is the Liquid Minds Stage, a feature that will celebrate barista and mixology through tea and coffee competitions, cocktail demonstrations, and beverage masterclasses. Meanwhile, the much-loved IFEX Photography Competition will make its comeback following a hugely successful debut in 2024, with details to be announced soon.
Adding even more energy to the show floor, the World Skills & Wild Food Arena will make its IFEX debut. This dynamic, hands-on demo theatre kicks off each morning with live skills competitions and in the afternoon, the arena shifts into an immersive Wild Food experience, with engaging demonstrations that explore foraging, wild ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
Championing skills and innovation
Speaking about the return of IFEX, Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events Ltd, said:
“With a history spanning over 50 years, IFEX has long been the heartbeat of NI’s foodservice and hospitality industries. Our move to the Eikon gives us the space and scope to elevate every aspect of the event – from live competitions to interactive features. With new additions like IFEX Kitchen Live! and the return of Salon Culinaire, IFEX 2026 will celebrate the skills, creativity and innovation that define this industry.
“We’ve had an incredible response from exhibitors, with stand space almost completely sold out months ahead of the show. It’s clear that there’s a real appetite from the trade to be part of IFEX 2026. Visitor registration will go live in early November, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the industry back for three packed days of networking, sourcing new business and making connections.”
With strong backing from leading industry bodies including NI Food To Go, Hospitality Ulster, Retail NI, FSBNI, NI Hotels Federation and the Guild of Fine Food, IFEX remains the must-attend event for industry professionals looking to network, source new products, and discover the trends shaping the future.
IFEX 2026 is taking place from Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th February at the Eikon Centre, Belfast. The show opens daily at 10am and runs until 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 4pm on Thursday. Registration is now open, and you can register for FREE at www.IFEXexhibition.co.uk. Follow @IFEX_NI for updates.
Penton Media Group – NI’s Neighbourhood Retailer, Licensed & Catering News and Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer – are the Official Media Partners of IFEX 2026.
