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The Irish Food Trade Connect Forum

26th March 2026
The Killashee Hotel

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Exhibiting Information

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Exhibiting Information

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Welcome Note

About Us

As the organiser of this forum, I am delighted to welcome you to your platform . Our mission is to provide the Food and Drinks trade sector with information, networks and support to tackle domestic and international market challenges which help achieve your growth and profitability goals.

The Irish Food Trade Connect Forum brings together a wealth of experience through our speakers and panellists, who represent resilience, drive and talent. They elevate our knowledge, helping us reach our full potential. We are very grateful to each one of them for generously sharing their time with us.

I look forward to meeting you next year for a day filled with insights and connections. I am confident you will enjoy the event, as it provides a unique opportunity for the Irish Food and Drink industry to connect, learn and support each other towards both domestic and international growth and success.

Margaret Dineen,

CEO & Founder

2025 Highlights

About Us

About Us

Testimonials

“I was honoured to be asked to speak at the inaugural Irish Food Connect conference in March earlier this year.

It was an invaluable opportunity for speakers and delegates alike to discuss the key challenges and opportunities brands are faced with in both domestic and export markets.

The forum was expertly devised, managed and compèred by Margaret and her fabulous team, and I would highly recommend the opportunity to work with them to anyone in our industry”.

Jason Kidd
Founder, OUTCAST BRANDS

Testimonials

“The inaugural Irish Food Trade Connect Forum made for a fantastic day of learning and networking. I was delighted to play a part and to be amongst some of the best industry leaders, who gathered to discuss strategies for international success in the food sector. The forum was packed with insights and honest conversations from business owners on the challenges and strategies for profitable international expansion. A forum not to be missed in 2025”.

Annie Dunne
Founder, The Art of GRATE Food

Testimonials

“Participating in the Food Trade Connect Forum as an exhibitor has been a fantastic experience for HB Label Print. The event provided us the opportunity to meet with existing customers and make new connections across the food industry — from producers and distributors to brand owners and innovators.

The quality of the conversations and the openness to collaboration truly stood out. We were able to build relationships with businesses that align with our values and services, which has already led to meaningful new opportunities and long-term partnerships.

The forum not only helped us showcase our label printing capabilities but also added significant momentum to our business development efforts. It’s a must-attend for any business looking to grow within the food sector.”

Lisa Heavy
Director, HB Label Print

Testimonials

“Attending the Irish Food Trade Connect Show was an excellent experience for myself personally, and also for RialtoLabs. The event was exceptionally well-organised by Margaret Dineen and team, with a great mix of innovative exhibitors and insightful presentations. I was able to connect with industry leaders, discover new products, and gain fresh perspectives on emerging food trends.

I left the show feeling inspired and equipped with new ideas to grow my business and would have no hesitation to recommend the event to anyone in the food industry looking to network and to keep up with the latest innovations in the industry.”

Joe Mc Mahon
Founder & CEO , Rialto Labs

Testimonials

“GS1 Ireland was proud to sponsor the 2025 Irish Food Trade Connect Forum — a valuable platform for connecting with key stakeholders in the Irish food and drink sector. The event featured insightful discussions on product development, growth, sustainability, and market expansion, helping us better understand the industry’s evolving needs. It provided a welcome opportunity to engage directly with producers, retail and foodservice buyers, and service providers, while highlighting the role of GS1 standards in facilitating trade and innovation. These interactions opened avenues for future collaboration and deepened our industry insight. I would highly recommend this event to anyone looking to learn and foster meaningful industry connections.”

Maria Svejar
Head of Retail, GS1 Ireland

Testimonials

“Attending (and presenting at) the Irish Food Trade Connect Forum 2025 was a great experience. The event provided a dynamic environment for producers to explore development opportunities in Ireland and abroad.

The dedicated showcase area was impactful, offering a focussed space to present products and engage with potential partners.

Coupled with excellent networking opportunities and insightful discussions, the forum proved to be an enriching event for anyone involved in the food and beverage industry.”

 

Lucy Ryan
Head of Food and Beverage, Bank Of Ireland

Testimonials

“I was honoured to be asked to speak at the inaugural Irish Food Connect conference in March earlier this year.

It was an invaluable opportunity for speakers and delegates alike to discuss the key challenges and opportunities brands are faced with in both domestic and export markets.

The forum was expertly devised, managed and compèred by Margaret and her fabulous team, and I would highly recommend the opportunity to work with them to anyone in our industry”.

 

Jason Kidd
Founder, OUTCAST BRANDS

Testimonials

“The inaugural Irish Food Trade Connect Forum made for a fantastic day of learning and networking. I was delighted to play a part and to be amongst some of the best industry leaders, who gathered to discuss strategies for international success in the food sector. The forum was packed with insights and honest conversations from business owners on the challenges and strategies for profitable international expansion. A forum not to be missed in 2025” 

Annie Dunne
Founder, The Art of GRATE Food

Testimonials

“I’m a huge believer in networking, and meeting with others to learn and share information is vital for any business. At the end of the day no one knows everything and by attending forum events like this one you can benefit so much by taking from others and their learnings, even if they are not within the same sector or business as you. Getting even 5 minutes of valuable learnings from a forum is time well spent. When you stop learning or lose your willingness to learn then you are on a downward trajectory.”

 

Pat O’Farrell,
Folláin.