The annual Meet the Makers (MTM) event on the Sunshine Coast has attracted a record number of buyers with just over 200 keen to sample some of the best food and beverage products made in SEQ.
The annual MTM food and drink showcase is one of the region’s most highly anticipated events that continues to attract quality exhibitors, manufacturers, buyers and the general public who eagerly sample the wide variety of bespoke and artisan produce available.
Now in its fifth year, MTM has become an event that buyers eagerly mark in their diary in their quest to find specialty products for their own target audience and this year the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) are delighted to have attracted the largest contingent of buyers since the event started in 2019.
Acting FAN chief executive officer, Nicole McNaughton said, “This year would be the best buyer list, we have had in the history of the event, as we have attracted over 200 buyers with around 70 per cent of them experiencing Meet the Makers for the first time.”
“While we have always attracted a quality list, this year we have seen that almost double, and in doing so are welcoming some incredible new buyers for the first time. These buyers will get to experience some of the best food and drinks produced right here in SEQ, and importantly they will get to know the people behind the products.
“For a very modest fee our producers and manufacturers are able to exhibit their products to a captive audience and we know, that based on previous years, there will be lots of connections made, quality conversations started and there will be deals that will be done.
Attending for the second year is Nova Penna, Qld State Sales Manager of Monde Nissin, who buys food and beverage products for distribution to their vast network of independent retail customers.
“Meet the Makers is an incredibly unique event where you can interact directly with the producer and learn about the story behind the product in a way that you simply can’t do via email or by looking at a website,” Ms Penna said.
“You really can’t beat the face-to-face interaction that this event facilitates, and it helps us to create sustainable relationships where we deal directly with the person who created the product, where we can see the innovation and the commitment to sustainability and see for ourselves the passion for what they have created.
“As a national food and beverage distribution company, we carefully decide which products to buy for distribution to our independent retail customers who care very much about the saleability of the products they stock. The authenticity and connection that we experience as buyers at Meet the Makers help us in the decision making process,” Ms Penna said.
MTM attracts buyers and industry members from all over Australia and producers from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond who showcase their latest food and beverage offerings with many making important trade connections in the process.
“Meet the Makers provides valuable commercial connections and opportunities for our members and being able to showcase a product at this event makes it easier for buyers to see what the region is doing and to assess if any of the products are a fit for them. The value of this kind of exposure cannot be underestimated and many of our exhibitors’ products have been picked up by major retailers as a result,” Ms McNaughton said.
Meet the Makers 2023 is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Noosa Council, MGA Independent Retailers Whites IGA and Hot91.
KEY EVENT DETAILS:
FOR BUYERS
Tuesday 2 May – 2.00pm – 5.30pm Buyer Session, welcomes:
Food and beverage retailers / distributors / wholesalers and procurement / restaurants / cafes / caterers / tourism operators / accommodation providers / event companies are invited to learn about the latest food and beverage products made in our regions.
FOR SUPPORTERS
Tuesday 2 May – 5.30pm – 7.30pm Networking Session, welcomes:
FAN members and partners, industry supporters, media and passionate foodies – come join us at this Networking Session and celebrate our regions’ growers and makers.
For more information visit foodagribusiness.org.au/meet-the-makers/
