Confex hosts trade show and awards dinner

Confex brought members and supply partners together for its latest trade show and awards dinner with more than 350 people in attendance

The trade show was hosted at Cirencester De Vere Hotel on 20 March 2024 and consisted of 85 supplier stands spanning categories across retail, foodservice and non-food. The trade show was then followed by an awards dinner, enabling the group to celebrate the successes of their supplier partners and members through the 2023 trading year.

CEO Tom Gittins gave the audience an overview of the group’s achievements over the past 12 months. Now with a turnover of £3.1bn and 242 members, the group represents an impressive 10% of UK wholesale.

He also laid out the Confex Growth Strategy which includes 4 pillars working with various partners to achieve:

1. CORE – working with Arete for Own Brand growth through ranging
2. Insight – working with TWC using data to pinpoint opportunities
3. Accelerate – working with Cerve Integrating to drive efficiencies
4. Savings Club – working with Jisp to digitalise retail execution – a wholesale industry first.

COO Jess Douglas then presented the following awards:

Service Supplier of the Year

CERVE

Digital Supplier of the Year

Nestle Professional – Martin Robinson

Non-Food Supplier of the Year

Wrapex – Matt Wright

Foodservice 2023 Supplier of the year

R H Amar – Karen Williams

Retail Supplier of the Year

Britvic – Gavin Simpson

Own Brand 2023 Supplier of the year

Caterers Choice – Sarah Booth

CORE Member of The Year

Waterside Foodservice

Social Media Member of The Year

Wow Box

Head Office Engagement Member of the Year

Woods

Foodservice Member of The Year

Holland Bazaar

Retail Member of the Year

Millenium Group

New Member of the Year 2023

Adams Foodservice

Green Wholesaler Award

Adams Foodservice

 

Woods Foodservice Deputy Managing Director and Confex Board Member Lana Bhika commented: “As ever, the Confex Tradeshow and Awards was a huge success this year. A brilliant turnout of Suppliers and ,embers made the buying event extremely beneficial to business, with unmissable offers on the day. The awards dinner was thoroughly enjoyed by all and a great opportunity to connect and build relationships throughout the member base. Another Confex worthwhile event”

Awards Confex Jess Douglas Tom Gittings trade show