[THE GLOBAL MEETING PLACE FOR INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE IN THE CHEESE & DAIRY SECTOR]
Welcome to the International Cheese & Dairy EXPO
24-25 JUNE 2026 ·
STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOWGROUND
CONNECTING DAIRY'S FUTURE
- [ABOUT]
International Cheese & Dairy EXPO
The
International Cheese & Dairy EXPO
is where people, ideas, and progress converge.
Through the unifying theme of
Dairy CONNECT™, we are aligning in 2026 exhibitors, speakers, and awards around five pillars:
- Networks & Collaboration
- Environment & Sustainability
- eXperience & Engagement
- Upskilling & Culture
- Systems & Supply Chain Excellence
Join us to connect across the entire dairy value chain — from artisan cheesemakers to automation tech leaders, from sustainability champions to future food retailers.
- [At a glance]
What to expect
The International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA)
Founded in 1897, the ICDA remains the benchmark for product excellence. Judged independently by 250+ experts, the ICDA includes:
- Supreme Champion Cheese & Dairy Product
- UK & Overseas Champions
- Retailer Awards by category
- Cheeseboard and Accompaniment Awards
- Special Recognition Trophies
Judging takes place 25 June. Winners are announced at the industry’s most respected awards ceremony on 26 June.
Dairy CONNECT ™
Dairy CONNECT™ provides the theme for the 2026 EXPO.
Each of the pillars links to exhibition zones, stage content, awards and partner activities:
- Networks & Collaboration – Focused on partnerships, trade bodies, packaging, and supply chain services.
- Environment & Sustainability – Showcasing climate leadership, circular packaging, and regenerative farming.
- eXperience & Engagement – Exploring brand storytelling, retail design, consumer trends, and marketing innovation.
- Upskilling & Culture – Addressing leadership, training, diversity, and organisational change.
- Systems & Supply Chain Excellence – Presenting tech for logistics, traceability, automation, and crisis resilience.
About the EXPO
The International Cheese & Dairy EXPO is the UK’s premier business event for the cheese and dairy industry. With over 200 exhibitors, a strategic knowledge programme, curated networking zones, and two awards ceremonies, the EXPO is designed to be a platform for progress.
Held in conjunction with the world-renowned International Cheese & Dairy Awards, this event unites innovation, expertise and commercial opportunity under one roof.
Exhibit at the EXPO
EXPO 2026 is the only event in the UK dedicated to the full cheese and dairy supply chain. Exhibitor opportunities include:
- Stands in themed show floor zones
- Access to pre-scheduled buyer meetingS
- Profile in the CONNECT Digital Guide
- On-site promotion via social channels and signage
Whether you're a artisan startup, dairy brand, or supply chain innovator, we’ll place your business where it matters most.
Visit the EXPO
Who should attend?
- Retail & Foodservice Buyers
- Cheesemakers & Dairy Processors
- Packaging & Logistics Professionals
- Distributors & Importers
- Investors & Export Specialists
- Academics, NGOs & Innovators
Your visitor pass includes access to the full exhibition, speaker programme, and awards showcases. Explore, taste, learn and connect.
- [Agenda]
Join Us in June 2026
24-25 June 2026 ·
Staffordshire County Showground
Day 1
Retail Focus, ICDA Awards & SDT Symposium
- High-intent retail audience: buyers, category leads, brand owners.
- ICDA judging of over 4,500 entries throughout the day
- Main-stage market outlook sets commercial tone and priorities.
- Retail Theatre tackles margin mix, own label vs brand, promo effectiveness, waste, and shopper personalisation.
- Technical & Sustainability Theatre discusses targets, filtration and yields.
- Innovation cadence: retailer spotlights and chef-led retail-ready demos.
- Structured networking: hosted buyer meetings, networking lunch, curated floor tours.
- Artisan Showcase
- Evening SDT Summer Conference dinner consolidates relationships and thought leadership.
Day 2
Foodservice Focus & ICDA Awards Presentation
- Audience pivot to operators, chefs, distributors and procurement.
- Foodservice Theatre: dairy ingredients and the impact on menu engineering.
- Technical & Procurement Theatre: energy/water retrofits, cleaning & audit-proof SOPs, logistics traceability.
- Chef’s Kitchen converts products into scalable dishes (sauces, pizza performance, desserts).
- Networking: hosted buyer meetings, Buyers’ Tasting opportunities, Artisan Showcase.
- Awards Drinks Reception and ICDA Awards Presentation, media opportunities and EXPO close.
- [Our sponsors]
Supported by
[JOIN US IN JUNE 2026]
Ready to take your place in dairy's future?
Join thousands of professionals, buyers and producers building resilience and excellence across the cheese and dairy sector for two unforgettable days in Stafford.
- [Venue]
Bingley Hall Staffordshire County Showground
Step into the ICDA EXPO at Staffordshire County Showground - an accessible venue with extensive parking and easy access.
Minutes from the M6 and Stafford rail station, with fast links to Birmingham and Manchester International Airports, it’s effortless to reach by road, plane or train.
WESTON ROAD
STAFFORD ST18 0BD
- [Faqs]
Questions? We've Got You.
What is DAIRY CONNECT?
Dairy Connect is the unifying theme for the ICDA Awards and the ICDEX EXPO, bringing retail, foodservice, and technical communities together under one roof to accelerate growth, innovation, and sustainability in cheese and dairy.
24–25 June 2026, Staffordshire County Showground, Stafford, UK.
How are the two days structured?
Day 1 (24 June): Retail Focus — category reviews, buyer programs, retail theatre, and the ICDA Awards opens for judging.
Plus the SDT Summer Symposium & Evening Dinner
Day 2 (25 June): Foodservice Focus — menu innovation, chef demonstrations, procurement roundtables, and distributor engagement.
ICDA Awards Presentation
What’s integrated into the programme?
- ICDA Awards: the world’s leading cheese competition and Winners’ Showcase.
- ICDEX EXPO: suppliers, brands, and technology across processing, packaging, filtration, cold chain, sustainability, and data/automation.
- Society of Dairy Technologists (SDT): hosting the annual Summer Conference and Dinner on 24 June, aligned with the Technical Theatre.
Who should attend?
Retail grocery buyers, category and trade marketing teams; foodservice operators (QSR, casual, contract catering, hotels), chefs and menu developers; dairy manufacturers and brand owners; distributors/wholesalers; technologists, engineers, QA/Regulatory; packaging, equipment and sustainability solution providers.
How do I register for the event
Registeration will open in October 2025.
Visiting buyers and foodservice operators attend free of charge. Some premium sessions (e.g. theatres, workshops, SDT Dinner) may require additional tickets.
Can I register on behalf of my team?
Yes. Group registration is available; each attendee must have a unique email for badge issuance.
What is the re-entry policy?
Your badge grants re-entry on both days.
Travel, Access & Amenities
How do I get there?
The venue is minutes from the M6 (J13/14) with rail links via Stafford. Parking is free for registered attendees.
Is there on-site accommodation?
No on-site hotel, but multiple options in Stafford and surrounding areas. A negotiated hotel list will be available on the website.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. Wheelchair access and accessible toilets. Contact us in advance for specific support.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes. Complimentary visitor and exhibitor Wi-Fi.
Where can I store samples or equipment?
On-site secure storage is limited and must be pre-booked. Refrigerated storage is available free of charge, contact the team for further information.
Exhibitors & Sponsors
- Who exhibits? Cheese and dairy brands; ingredient suppliers; processing and packaging machinery; filtration and utilities; logistics and cold-chain; sustainability, testing and data/automation providers; category services and design.
- How do I book a stand? Contact the sales team or complete the online enquiry. Floorplan and stand options (shell scheme and space-only) are available.
- Can I sample food and beverages? Yes, to trade visitors only. Allergen labelling, temperature control, and hygiene compliance are mandatory.
- Is there a lead capture system? Yes. Exhibitors can purchase smart-badge scanners integrated with the event app for GDPR-compliant lead capture.
- What are sponsorship options? Headline features (Theatres, Winners’ Showcase, SDT partnership), badge/lanyard, app, meetings lounge, and awards classes. Packages can be tailored.
ICDA Awards
- What are the ICDA Awards? The International Cheese & Dairy Awards is the world’s leading cheese &dairy competition, assessing quality, consistency, and excellence across categories, including artisan and foodservice-relevant classes.
- How do I enter? Enter online, select classes, and follow shipping and product labelling instructions. Entry deadlines and sample arrival windows are published on the website.
- Can non-UK producers enter? Yes. The Awards are fully international. Import documentation and cold-chain compliance are the entrant’s responsibility. Contact teh awards team for further information.
- When are results announced? Judging takes place on the 25 June. Winners are announced on 25 June with trophies presented on-site; full results are published online.
- Are there foodservice-specific awards?
- Yes. Dedicated classes reflect operator needs (format, consistency, yield, handling, and menu fit), supporting buyer relevance.
- How are entries judged?
- Independent expert judges using blind tasting against defined criteria for appearance, texture, flavour, and technical quality.
- Can I reference my award in marketing?
- Winners receive usage guidelines and digital assets for pack, trade marketing, and PR.
