Casual Dining show rebrands

The Casual Dining trade show is changing its name to the National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show in advance of next year’s edition.

Show organiser Diversified Communications believes the rebranding will “better reflect the full range of hospitality operators who regularly attend the event”.

Chris Brazier, group event director, said the brand refresh follows feedback from the industry, “with both operators and exhibitors feeling that a more inclusive name will attract even more operators to the industry’s favourite event, which is already famous for its focused atmosphere, our industry leading seminar programme, and the high quality of operators attracted to the event”.

The casual dining strand will continue to be part of the show, with a dedicated Casual Dining Theatre onsite.

Brazier added: “The new name also reflects the strong link with our incredibly successful Northern Restaurant & Bar Show in Manchester, and sets the tone as the country’s leading restaurant, pub, and bar event.”

Casual Dining’s tenth anniversary event took place last week at London’s ExCeL, alongside café and food-to-go show, lunch!.

Operators in attendance welcomed the forthcoming name change. Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder and CEO of Caravan said: "The idea to evolve Casual Dining and make it even more inclusive is a brilliant one. It will lead to even more amazing hospitality business getting involved – which should be our common goal.”

Will Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Hawksmoor, said: “It’s great to see the evolution of the show as something we’ve always known it to be – a supportive, inspiring event for all of hospitality.”

Meanwhile, Thom Elliot, co-founder, Pizza Pilgrims added: “Having attended Casual Dining for many years, I think the new name encompasses the broad church it represents. The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show really encapsulates this breadth, making sure everyone who loves providing great hospitality has a place to meet, learn and discuss ideas.”

On the exhibitor side of things, Scott Duncan, general manager at cooking equipment manufacturer Unox UK, said: “Taking Casual Dining, which is already an exceptional hospitality event, to new heights is super exciting. Bringing more great people together is a win win for us all.”