Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Is it cost-effective for emerging drinks brands to exhibit at large consumer-facing food and beverage trade shows like Hampton Court Palace Food Festival?
Members' experience suggests that major consumer trade shows can struggle to generate ROI for emerging brands. The consensus is cautious, with most participants failing to recoup their investment. **Key findings from member experience:** - **Hampton Court Palace Food Festival** — members reported mixed-to-poor results. Exhibitor costs are £2,000 for 3 days (or £1,000 for small businesses), and several attendees reported not making back their costs. The fact that the event was not sold out suggests past traders are not rushing to re-book, indicating the organiser (Immediate Media) may be the primary beneficiary rather than exhibitors. - One member noted that poor advance sell-out rates for a Bank Holiday weekend event is a red flag for exhibitor performance - **Bottle sales only** — at least one member's model at such events was limited to direct bottle sales, suggesting limited opportunity for B2B discovery or wholesale orders **Caveats:** - The feedback is limited to one major show; other events may perform differently - ROI depends heavily on footfall quality and conversion, which these events may not deliver for emerging brands - Members' experiences were "a few years back," so current performance may differ For emerging brands with limited marketing budgets, members appear to view such events as high-risk with unproven returns.
What stand size should a small drinks brand choose for Imbibe trade show to balance cost and functionality?
Members overwhelmingly advised that Imbibe may not be worth the investment for small portfolios, with 9 votes against attending versus 4 supporting a **2m x 3m stand**. For those proceeding: - **1.5m x 2m** — fits two staff comfortably and works for a handful of brands, but space becomes tight if covering multiple brands or expecting busy periods. One member reported being 2–3 people deep during the show and found discussing multiple brands difficult in this footprint. - **2m x 3m** — the most popular option among those willing to exhibit (4 votes). Provides more flexibility for multiple brands and staff rotation. - **3m x 3m** — received no votes; likely considered too large/expensive for small portfolios. **Key caveat:** The dominant finding is that Imbibe may not deliver ROI for early-stage or small-portfolio brands. Members suggested evaluating whether the show's audience justifies the stand cost, setup, and staff time before committing.