FOLLOWING 523 days of forced closure for exhibition and trade fair organisers, CATEX – Ireland’s largest foodservice trade event - is returning to the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, in November 2021 – following the unveiling of Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s roadmap, announced on 31 August 2021. 
 
Owned by the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) and organised by Eventhaus, CATEX, taking place from the 2nd to 4th November, is thought to be one of the first business-to-business trade event to open its doors, following the postponement of the original February dates earlier this year.  For event organisers, Eventhaus, this will be the team’s first event in 20 months and is a much-awaited return to exhibitions and trade fairs, safely.

The IFSA Chair has today announced that in light of an offer of alternative dates from RDS, a decision has been taken by the IFSA board to reschedule CATEX to the later dates of 2nd – 4th November 2021.  This decision has been taken for several reasons:

• The RDS, who remain extremely supportive of the show, contacted the board with the November slot which only recently become available.
• While all indicators point to a gradual reopening of the economy in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year, the later dates give an additional number of weeks for the progression of the vaccine rollout and the lifting of public health restrictions.  
• Assuming that restrictions on hospitality will be lifted in mid-late summer, the November dates give the sector a chance to return to some form of normal trading ahead of the show.
• November dates will give exhibitors an opportunity to profile Christmas 2021 and Spring 2022 product offerings.

In light of the ongoing uncertainty which COVID brings to us all and for the reasons outlined above, this move ensures, in as much as possible, that the industry can benefit from a much needed trade event in 2021.   

​Our event partners, Eventhaus ltd, have been in direct communication with both the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Department of Health over recent months drafting a set of robust protocols and guidelines (see attached)  for the safe return of trade fairs and exhibitions. This work has led the Government to include provision for the return of trade fairs and exhibitions once the Country and County are in either Level 1 or Level 2.
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​Following ongoing consultation by the board of IFSA with exhibitors and our partners and faced with the continued backdrop of uncertainty which COVID brings to us all, we have taken the decision to reschedule CATEX 2021 from 23-25 March 2021 to 21-23 September 2021. 
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The rationale behind choosing this date was a combination of trying to keep CATEX 2021 in the 2021 year, while giving ourselves some additional time to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic and indeed the country will react to the rollout of vaccinations early this year. 
Our event partners, Eventhaus ltd, have been in direct communication with both the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Department of Health over recent months drafting a set of robust protocols and guidelines (see attached)  for the safe return of trade fairs and exhibitions. This work has led the Government to include provision for the return of trade fairs and exhibitions once the Country and County are in either Level 1 or Level 2 as outlined in the Resilience and Recovery 2020 – 2021: Plan for living with COVID document – see reference to large exhibition venues such as the RDS https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/18e18-level-2/#organised-indoor-gatherings.

As you are aware many of our Industry partners such as Chef Network, The Panel Of Chefs, The Bartenders Association, and The Speciality Coffee Association , all depend on CATEX as a showcase for their annual activities and to recruit new members. It is vital that CATEX continues to provide this support platform this year, particularly when our Industry is experiencing such pain and loss right now. 

IFSA has worked hard over the last 6 months to provide timely, relevant and useful information to our members as they grapple with the challenges that the pandemic has presented.  Initiatives such as the Foodservice Industry Re-opening Solutions, the IFSA & Chef Network Catering Business COVID-19 Operating Guidelines & Procedures and the ongoing News and Industry Updates are examples of the practical support that a trade association can offer to its membership in a time of crisis.  We appreciate the support of our membership in keeping your membership subscription up to date and would encourage any other foodservice suppliers to join the community now as we all work towards recovery.   

Yours sincerely,
 Patrick Clement
IFSA Chairman

Ireland’s largest foodservice & hospitality event returns
Following its biggest-ever attendance in 2019, CATEX - Ireland’s largest foodservice trade event - is returning to the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin next March 2021, offering a unique opportunity where Ireland’s biggest players and membership organisations in foodservice and hospitality all come under one roof.
 
With a 10% increase in visitor numbers from the previous event, CATEX 2019 served up 12,500 visitors to a 250-strong exhibitor base, with the show delivering sales, new contacts and sector insight; in addition to crowning the best in class chefs, baristas and bartenders. 

10% Increase in visitors to event 

CATEX 2019 saw thousands of visitors from the foodservice, hospitality, catering and on-trade sectors, descend on the RDS, Simmonscourt, making it the biggest turnout for the exhibition to date. With footfall up by almost 10%, exhibitors reporting that substantial business was done and overwhelming positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike, CATEX 2019 really did serve up a show that will benefit all of those involved in the months and years ahead.
 
Organised by the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance, John Cunningham, Chairman of IFSA comments: “IFSA, alongside our industry partners, has worked hard on this show for the past two years. Our goal was to make CATEX 2019 as good as it could be and the vibrancy and atmosphere over the three days was incredible.  

​IRELAND’s biggest foodservice and hospitality event, CATEX, owned by IFSA (Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance) opens its doors on Tuesday, 26th February, at the RDS Simmonscourt, and for businesses within the sector, newly released stats reveal that sustainability will be high on the agenda.
 
Home to 200 exhibitors, from Ireland’s biggest names in foodservice to artisan producers, the show is expected to attract 12,000 visitors from the foodservice, hospitality and catering sectors over three days. 

-The industry event that will be serving up ideas and innovation -
 
CATEX, Ireland’s largest foodservice and hospitality event, returns to the RDS, Dublin from Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th February 2019, and with over 11,000 visitors expected to attend, it’s one of the most eagerly anticipated industry events of the year.  
 
A biennial event, CATEX 2019 is the prime opportunity for visitors to meet with over 200 suppliers and manufacturers, watch hundreds of chefs, baristas and drink specialists compete, and network with thousands of industry colleagues.