Ask the Collective

Is sponsoring a Taste of London stand worth the investment for a new brand launch, and what are the alternatives?

Members who have run bars at Taste London over multiple years rate it highly as a launch vehicle, especially for reaching a mix of trade buyers, foodies, and consumers. However, positioning is critical—the event attracts many brands and it's easy to get lost in the crowd. **Key findings:** - **Taste of London** — rated "always v successful" by members with bar placements (combo of buyers/foodies/customers & events scouting for new brands). The £1.5k stand cost mentioned is reasonable for this reach, but a bar placement is preferable to sampling-only if budget allows. - **Positioning matters** — with so many brands present, visibility and location within the event heavily influence success. Invest thought in booth placement/activation. - **Alternative events to consider** — Members also recommend **Pub in the Park**, **Hampton Court**, and **The big Feastival** as parallel sponsorship opportunities with similar audience quality. - **Sampling vs. bar placement** — Bars drove stronger results for existing members than sampling alone, suggesting if choosing between a stand-only or upgraded bar option, the latter may justify the extra cost. **Caveat:** Success depends heavily on how well you stand out and engage buyers. The event itself is proven; execution and positioning determine ROI.