Ice Cream Takes Centre Stage at NEC as Industry Gathered for Show-Stopping 2026 Event

The UK’s ice cream and artisan food community came together in style in February as the Ice Cream & Artisan Food Show 2026 took over the NEC Birmingham, serving up inspiration, innovation, and serious business in equal measure

Hosted by the Ice Cream Alliance, the UK’s only dedicated trade show for the ice cream and artisan food sector once again proved why it’s the must-attend event for anyone in hospitality, dessert, or artisan food. Over 6500 trade visitors packed the halls to connect, learn, taste, and do business.

Across two buzzing days, visitors were treated to a lively programme of demonstrations, talks, and tastings, showcasing the best that the nation’s ice cream industry has to offer.

Highlights included:

Live coffee and latte art demos, blending barista flair with frozen treats and inspiring fresh menu ideas.

A headline talk from Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies MBE, who shared her insights on scaling, resilience, and building future-proof businesses.

An exclusive interview with Maria Grey of The Scoop Company, celebrating her win as Parlour of the Year 2025.

A session with James Averdieck, founder of Gü and The Coconut Collaborative, with an insightful and practical session on building powerful brands, creating loyal customers, and standing out in highly competitive markets.

One attendee noted,

“The creativity and dedication behind the flavours were truly impressive, from comforting apple crumble ice cream to wonderfully unique garlic-flavoured varieties. It was great to see how much passion goes into the craft.”

Businesses interested in exhibiting at future editions of the show or learning more can visit the Ice Cream Alliance website for updates, including the results of the Golden Scoop Awards, which will be announced in March.

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