International Food Business Network (IFBN)

"Connecting Food Manufacturers & Retail
in FMCG in Key European Food Markets"

The IFBN - for Business Development and Market Strategy -

The International Food Business Network offers support to food manufacturing companies operating in Europe and to food companies that seek to enter European markets.

Insights for growth: bridges to countries

The IFBN assists food manufacturers in building bridges between European food markets, enabling better market assessment, reducing market access barriers, and increasing their know-how and marketing skills. In other words, the country meetings and the network of the IFBN can help to grow your business and build on your success.

The second aim of the IFBN is to form a bridge between different food manufacturers by establishing international relationships and expanding your business network.

IFBN connects experience with strategy

The IFBN makes connections. It acts as an inspiration and a facilitator. To fulfill this role, there will be at least four meetings per year, each one in a different European country.

Each meeting will be a two-day event, characterised by:

> High quality content, chock-full of information;

> Key national and pan-European food market insights;

> In-depth discussions with experts;

> Cooperative initiatives to drive new business;

> Shared business interest & experience;

> Network opportunities with business throughout the EU

IFBN meetings are suitable for food manufacturers from the following markets & industries:

During the IFBN meetings case studies from various industries and categories will be presented, which will enable manufacturers from different industries to do the right cherrie picking

The IFBN is all about Strategy, Innovation & Experience. Consumer trends and trade developments, which are a point of focus during each meeting, are:

The Business and Market Access facts and insights are related to:

Experiences will be shared in advance, during, and after the IFBN meetings through presentations and case studies, as well as during the breaks and the IFBN network dinner.

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Who will come?

The Dutch Food Retail meeting intended for decision makers working with:

>          Food Manufacturers

>          Retailers

>          Importers, Distributors

>          Market & Consumer Insight companies, Media & PR companies

>          Consultants

The meetings are designed for the following job functions:

>          Managing Directors, CEOs, Business Owners

>          Marketing Directors, Sales and Export Directors

>          New Business Development Directors

>          Category Managers

>          Market Reserarch & Information Managers

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Open Innovation

All meetings on a particular food market are open to food manufacturers from all over the world. Food Market meetings can be joined depending on the regional importance, market presence, focus and strategy. However, the organisers of the IFBN offer food manufacturers also the opportunity to become a so-called manufacturing member. Joining the network has substantial benefits (>Read-on Membership Benefits).

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Meeting Programme

Each meeting will have a similar set-up. The first day is plenary with a focus on the following subjects.
> Consumer trends

> Market trends

> Retail developments

> Media reviews

> Innovation concepts

> Case studies

A dinner is included in the package. Networking is important and a dinner in a nice environment is a good option to exchange ideas, experience, heritage, and have fun!

Day 2 will consist of four to six concurrent break-out sessions. Members can attend the session of their choice. The gatherings will be chaired by two keynote speakers. Each session will provide ample room for questions and answers. Sessions will be informal because the groups will be kept small. Session topics will be:

> Health& Nutrition

> Retail & Private label

> Media & PR

> Logistics & Distribution

> Trade Marketing

> Category reviews on confectionery, snacks, beverages, dairy, bread & bakery

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IFBN Supporting Companies & Organisations

The following companies and organisation are supporting the IFBN and Bridge2Food in creating the network and adding value to food manufacturers.

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Food Manufacturers Membership Benefits

> Essential facts on national and European markets and market access;

> Better understanding of consumer, retail, category dynamics;

> Key information about trends and developments in export markets;

> Bridges to media trends, innovation, logistics, quality and food labelling legislation;

> Building Pan-European relationships with other food manufacturers and pivotal service

suppliers.

IFBN annual membership includes:
> Free access to four IFBN meetings including lunches and materials;

> Free IFBN dinner;

> Enjoy a free display of your products during the meetings as a way to get discussions with

potential distributors and other manufacturing members;

> Your company logo and information request on the IFBN website page with background

information so that interested business partners can be in touch anytime;

> Free access to all network members through Bridge2Food.

Corporate Membership for one individual is transferrable to other employees of the same company. For more information on membership please contact Marjolijn Cohen or call +31 30 225 2060.

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Partner Members: Pan-European experiences and networks

Bridge2Food has teamed up with leading service providers, such as market analysis and research companies, PR and media experts, innovation consultants, packaging specialists, financial institutions, category experts and research institutions operating throughout Europe. They are special members of the International Food Business Network who share Bridge2Food's commitment to high quality knowledge transfer in the food industry and its belief in the importance of international networks.

The Partners will contribute their know-how and networks to IFBN meetings by giving keynote presentations and chairing break-out sessions. This will provide consistency of market information for attendees and will provide a platform to compare countries on a like-for-like basis.

When you would like to join, then please contact Marjolijn Cohen or call +31 30 2252060 for more information.

Associate Members: Leading ingredient innovation companies

The IFBN will also provide an opportunity for parties to become Associate Members. These are key international suppliers of ingredients and services, businesses that can assist food manufacturers in developing cutting-edge food products. For example, they might be aware of an international trend in the health and nutrition field that has not yet been detected by the food manufacturers. Associate Members can be obtained only by invitation from Bridge2Food. If you see your company as an uniquely qualified candidate, please contact Marjolijn Cohen or call +31 30 2252060 for more information.

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More information

For more information on membership and or country meetings, please contact Marjolijn Cohen or call at +31 30 225 2060.

Advisory Board

We are proud to have the following experts on our international advisory board. More members will follow soon.

- Mr. Arie van Doesburg, Business Unit Manager Fruit, Vegetables, Ready Meals & Health, Plus     Retail (Netherlands)

- Mr. Koen Verhaege, Managing Director, Biofun, part of Alpro (Belgium)

- Mr. Ton Baas, Director, Dutch Confectionery Association (Netherlands)

- Ms. Babso Kanwar, Operations Director, Permedia Foods (India)

- Mr. Sergey Vykhodtshev, President, Velle Oats (Russia)

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