DAIRY CONNECT IRELAND: APRIL 2026

Alongside the momentum building towards ICDA EXPO 2026, the programme for the year ahead begins in earnest with Dairy Connect Ireland, launching this April. Designed as a focused gateway between Irish producers and the wider UK and international market, the event brings together artisan and scale producers, buyers, technologists and industry leaders in a highly curated setting.

More than a standalone gathering, Dairy Connect Ireland acts as an early signal of the themes that will define the year - capability, collaboration and commercial readiness - while providing Irish producers with a direct route into the ICDA Awards and the wider Dairy Connect ecosystem. For exhibitors and sponsors, it offers an opportunity to engage early, build relationships ahead of June, and position their brands at the heart of a cross-border conversation that is increasingly shaping the future of cheese and dairy.

A Convergence of the Industry’s Most Influential Buyers

The EXPO’s structure once again reflects sector realities: one day dedicated to retail buyers and one day focused on foodservice decision-makers. This dual design ensures relevance and precision.

Day 1: Retail Focus brings category directors, grocery buyers, packaging leads and technical teams from major multiples, discounters and convenience operators. Their priorities - price architecture, sustainability metrics, packaging optimisation and consumer-ready innovation, dominate the agenda.

Day 2: Foodservice Focus shifts attention to culinary directors, procurement teams, QSR groups and menu development leaders. These buyers are searching for performance-led dairy solutions: melt consistency, value engineering, nutrition-forward propositions and formats built for operational efficiency.

For exhibitors and producers, the implications are clear. The EXPO delivers engaged buyers and purposeful conversations at scale. Listing discussions, NPD previews and packaging reviews move faster in this curated environment than in any other UK dairy event.

The Awards Advantage: Visibility That Moves Markets

The continued growth and integration of the International Cheese & Dairy Awards creates an additional layer of impact. Brands achieving Gold, Silver or Bronze gain instant credibility and marketing leverage. Winning products are showcased in a dedicated awards pavilion, offering powerful touchpoints for both sourcing teams and consumers.

For producers, the editorial uplift is significant. Coverage in The Dairy Mail—from features to tasting notes—reinforces the achievements of award winners and amplifies category leadership. This extends the value of an ICDA win months beyond judging.

Editorial Reach That Supports Commercial Growth

Across the industry, brands are seeking more than exhibition visibility; they want momentum that persists. This is where The Dairy Mail plays a critical role. Through editorial features, advertising placements and newsletter integration, exhibitors and sponsors can extend their EXPO presence to a targeted professional audience throughout the year.

Editorial Features

Opportunities include:

• Sponsor and producer spotlights
• Category insight alignments
• Innovation deep-dives
• Packaging and sustainability profiles
• Interviews with technical and R&D teams
• “Behind the Stand” EXPO previews
• Winner spotlights and impact stories

These features help brands articulate their narrative, build authority and shape buyer perception pre- and post-event.

Advertising

Display options within The Dairy Mail, its special EXPO editions, and the Awards Showcase Issue ensure dominant share of voice during peak buyer attention.

Formats include:

• Full-page and half-page adverts
• Product-led campaigns
• Technical supplier showcases
• Category-focused advertorial
• Digital display banners

Strategic Sponsorship That Builds Influence

Sponsors gain more than brand recognition - they shape the narrative of the year’s most important dairy event. Whether supporting the Retail Day, the Foodservice Day, the Innovation Pavilion or the new Dairy Connect theme, partners receive a suite of integrated touchpoints:

• High-profile branding across EXPO and Awards
• Stage, session and feature area ownership
• Curated roundtables and buyer introductions
• Editorial inclusion across The Dairy Mail and EXPO communications
• Digital amplification through LinkedIn and trade networks
• Visibility across the winner and exhibitor ecosystem until 2027

For organisations in packaging, processing, logistics, sustainability, automation, consultancy, and financial services, the alignment with Dairy Connect positions them as essential architects of the industry’s next chapter.

Producers: A Platform for Growth and Differentiation

Producers attending ICDEX gain access to buyers at a moment when quality, provenance and functional performance are under sharper scrutiny than ever. The combination of:

• Direct engagement
• ICDA award potential
• Editorial amplification
• Trade-ready visibility

All creates a route to commercial conversations that are simply not available elsewhere.

With over 60% of space already sold, brands, suppliers and producers are encouraged to secure their stand allocation early to maximise promotional momentum.

Looking Ahead: A Year Defined by Connection

The 2026 theme, Dairy Connect | Connecting Dairy’s Future, is more than a banner. It captures the transition the industry is undergoing: from fragmented, siloed conversations to a more unified, data-driven, collaborative approach.

The Dairy Connect Ireland, EXPO, the Awards, and The Dairy Mail together create a single platform where innovation can be tested, stories can be told and commercial relationships can be accelerated.

For exhibitors, sponsors and producers, the message is clear. The road to visibility, influence and growth in 2026 starts here.