Blas Backyard on the Road - 27th April

BLAS BACKYARD ON THE ROAD

In spring 2020, we were in the midst of planning our series of Backyard on the Road events, learning and networking programmes for producers. During the first weeks of the pandemic restrictions we reacted not just to the challenges we had in hosting events but more importantly to the challenges faced by producers across Ireland.

Our learning sessions moved online and allowed us to continue to work to support producers. We are progressing on and inviting those who engaged in these sessions to come together for our first Backyard on the Road in person.

Backyard at Blas is an innovative space for individuals in the food and drink industry to meet fellow producers, gain knowledge and find support for your business. Our aim is to help producers grow and develop by hearing about the experiences of others, in an informal atmosphere that allows for networking and connecting with your fellow producers.

Morning Session - 9.30 – 12.30pm

Knowing your brand and strategically thinking about the best channel for your product is a critical success factor, be that retail (large or small), food service or online.

Looking at the challenges involved, from initial meetings with buyers (including how best to prepare and to understand your category) through to the logistical challenges of expanding your delivery network

This mornings session will include presentations & panel discussions hosted by Annie Dunne, Malachy O'Connor & Oonagh Monahan.

Afternoon - 2pm - 5pm

One of the critical areas for any producer to grow is getting your story straight If you can’t get your story across, you can’t sell your product. You need to be able to catch a journalist’s attention and know what they are looking for. It is devilishly difficult to get coverage these days but knowing what the media looks for is half the battle.

This afternoon’s session will guide you through the creation of your toolkit to tell your story and include helpful advice on making connections, honing your story and making the most of media opportunities.

The afternoons sessions will include presentations and panel discussions hosted by Brian McDermott, Sharon Noonan & Vivienne Gleeson

WHAT IS THE BACKYARD?

Set in a relaxed, informal venue, hot topics are covered with industry leaders and experts in a number of engaging conversation panels followed by Q&As. Throughout the day, attendees have the opportunity to grab a coffee and chat with key people and fellow producers. Lunch is also served.

THE DETAILS...

Thursday 27th April

Seamus Ennis Centre, The Naul, K32AY27

Tickets must be pre-booked & all include lunch & refreshments

Single session @ €65 / Full Day @ €85

Special rate for past online attendees

Single session @ €45 / Full Day @ €65

events@irishfoodawards.com

OUR HOSTS & MENTORS

STRATEGIC POSITIONING INSIGHT INTO SALES CHANNELS

Annie Dunne has twenty years experience working in the food industry, with roles across manufacturing (Kerry Foods) & retail (Superquinn & Harrods), within new product development, packaging design, technical, commercial & category management functions As the head of Food Innovation for 10 years in the luxury food retail sector at Harrods, Annie managed the transformation of it’s iconic and world renowned food halls with a £25milllion investment Annie's knowledge of luxury food & drink is extensive, and her in-depth knowledge of London & UK food scene is second to none Annie now runs her own food consultancy company, "the art of GRATE food" unleashing innovation potential within food companies and inspiring creative solutions to spark growth She understands what "exceptional" really means

Malachy O’Connor, Food First Consulting is a business strategy consultant & commercial skills trainer. Malachy works across all sectors, having spent +20 years in senior positions in the ultra-competitive supermarket retail sector Thriving in this cutthroat world required deep resilience but also a deep sense of empathy around how to get the best out of people and how best to serve your customers Malachy has 25 years’ grocery retail experience He spent his early career in M&S, Dunnes Stores, Superquinn and SPAR, then from ’06 as Buying & Marketing Director at Aldi Ireland and from 2014 as Fresh Foods Commercial Category Director at Tesco Ireland

Oonagh Monahan is a consultant, mentor and trainer specialising in food business development and innovation She has clients across the island of Ireland and throughout Europe, working with them at every stage from start-up through growth to export. With over 25 years’ experience in the food sector, Oonagh works with artisan producers, small and medium sized producers, to large multinationals, and previously worked for the Kerry Group (Grove Turkeys) and Premier Foods (Manor Bakeries) To date Oonagh has mentored over 350 food & drink start-ups many of whom are now on supermarket shelves of the multiple retailers in Ireland and the UK

2PM - 5PM - 27TH APRIL

GETTING YOUR STORY STRAIGHT INSIGHT INTO PR & MEDIA

Brian McDermott is an award-winning celebrity chef, author and presenter from Co Donegal Brian has built a national reputation as a chef through his passionate belief in good food People will be familiar with him as a regular TV Chef on RTÉ and has his own slot weekly on BBC Radio and he frequently contributes to many local and national press outlets including the Claire Byrne show on RTE Radio1

Sharon Noonan is a freelance marketing consultant working with food, drink, hospitality and tourism businesses and government agencies Services include social media management, developing and delivering PR campaigns, event design and coordination and the creation and facilitation of training and mentoring programmes Sharon presents a weekly radio show on West Limerick 102FM that focuses on food and drink topics and regularly moderates at conferences and seminars

Vivienne Gleeson helps businesses to grow by promoting themselves effectively and telling their story powerfully She works with businesses, big and small, to provide strategic support focused on identifying and communicating key messages to drive sales and customer engagement Vivienne is passionate about helping businesses grow and specialises in helping clients to develop communications plans that are tailored to suit their needs and capacity