Media release: 16 May 2024

National Media, the owner and producer of market-leading trade exhibitions today announced the acquisition of Foodservice Australia, Food & Hospitality Queensland, Aged Care Catering Summit, National Restaurant Conference, and the Australian Chef of the Year competition from Specialised Events. Terms are not disclosed.

The events become the first additions to National Media’s newly established Food and Beverage Group and follows its recent acquisition of the Workplace Health & Safety Shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Established in 1968 as the International Catering Trade Fair, Foodservice Australia is the country’s longest-running B2B exhibition dedicated to the catering, hospitality and foodservice sector. Over the past 55 years, it has been under the stewardship of several leading organisations, with Specialised Events owning and managing it for the last 13 years.

National Media’s Managing Director, Mark Harvey said, “We have long admired these events and this sector. We are excited to welcome them into our portfolio and look forward to supporting their future growth and contributing to Australia’s $222 billion foodservice and retail food market.”

Australian’s propensity to eat out remains among the highest in the world, with Australian households spending nearly one-third of their food and non-alcoholic beverage budget on eating-out as opposed to eating-at-home. “These events play a really important role in supporting the Australian hospitality and foodservice industry,” said Brad Langton, National Media’s CEO. “We are delighted to be bringing this portfolio into National Media and look forward to working with all the stakeholders who contribute to their success”.

Langton added, “Our disruptive and innovative approach to data-driven sales and marketing, and event experience design will bring a new dimension to these events and ensure that chefs, restaurateurs, café owners, institutional foodservice operators and distributors have a world class platform to discover cutting-edge equipment and tech advancements that address efficiency, savings and sustainability and a place to source exceptional food and beverage breakthroughs in taste, creativity and market appeal.”

Tim Collett, Managing Director of Specialised Events, stated, “I’m thrilled to see these events transition into the capable hands of National Media. Their three-decades of expertise in the Australian exhibition industry and successful track record in launching and growing industry-defining events meant they were the perfect custodians for these shows. I’ve spent over 30 years bringing together the foodservice, hospitality and food retail communities and am very proud of the business we have built in doing so. I have no doubt that National Media’s progressive approach and solid reputation will see these shows evolve to new heights, and that’s really exciting for the exhibitors, sponsors, partners and visitors.”

As part of the acquisition, the team that has successfully organised these exhibitions will be joining National Media, ensuring continuity and the sustained excellence of event delivery, further solidifying National Media’s commitment to the industry.

Future dates:

Foodservice Australia [www.foodserviceaustralia.com.au]

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 18-20 May 2025

Food & Hospitality Queensland [www.foodandhospitality.com.au]

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, 4-5 August 2024
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, 3-4 August 2025

Enquiries and further comments to:

Brad Langton, Chief Executive Officer, National Media | brad@nationalmedia.com.au
Tim Collett, Managing Director, Specialised Events | tim@specialisedevents.com.au