Hotel, Restaurant & Catering show, the centrepiece of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, and the UK’s leading trade event for the hospitality, food service and catering sectors, is set to return to Excel London this April.
Exhibition Stand Design at Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC)
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering show is one of the largest and longest-running shows for the catering, equipment, restaurant and hospitality sectors, bringing together everything from kitchen equipment and interiors to food, drink, and hospitality tech.
Clear and concise branding is rewarded at this show. With over 30,000 visitors and 1500+ exhibitors, budget-holders want to see who you are and what you do, just from a glance.
If your budget permits it, you can make branding more visible by building to the maximum permitted height. If not, position branding just above eye level, maximising traction among aisle traffic.
For food suppliers, bringing your best samples is non-negotiable. The food industry sells through flavour. Buyers want to try your products first-hand, understand supply capabilities and place orders.
If you have large kitchen equipment, consider its placement at the design stage. Restricting graphic design and info around the equipment can lower visual noise and give weight to the product. Take advantage of QR codes and NFC tags to signpost to more detailed product info!
At an event as busy as the Hotel, Restaurant & Catering Show, a professional stand designer can offer significant insight and practical advice.
Exhibition Stand Design Inspiration
FAQs
Where is HRC held, and how do I get there?
HRC is located at Excel London, in the heart of London’s Docklands. The venue is accessible by all major transport links, including car, bus, train, and tube,
Directions for each can be found on the official “When and Where” page on the HRC website – https://www.hrc.co.uk/when-where
What are the closest hotels to the HRC exhibition venue?
There are many hotels located near Excel London. Here are the closest, according to Booking.com:
- Sunborn London Yacht Hotel
- Novotel London Excel
- Aloft by Marriott London Excel
- Ibis London Excel-Docklands
- DoubleTree by Hilton London Excel
- Crowne Plaza London
What types of products are displayed at HRC London?
HRC is a very versatile show, with a diverse collection of products, including speciality ingredients, beverages, cooking appliances, warewashing and refrigeration, software, front-of-house goods, and furniture and decor.
How does HRC compare to IFE?
Both HRC and IFE are a part of the Food, Drink and Hospitality Week, both garnering fantastic footfall. However, the scope and target audience of the shows differ. IFE tends to focus on finished food products from global suppliers, targeting retailers, wholesalers and foodservice buyers. While HRC focuses on catering equipment, hospitality tech, furniture and design, and targets hoteliers, restaurateurs, caterers, and interior designers.
Which major brands exhibit at HRC?
While not all exhibitors have confirmed at HRC, regular exhibitors include Merrycheg, Unox, Smeg, Rational, and Precision Refrigeration.
When should I register to exhibit at HRC?
Space for HRC fills months in advance. Register to exhibit as early as possible, before the next event takes place on 5-7 April.
Register here – https://www.hrc.co.uk/enquire-to-exhibit
What sectors and domains does HRC cover?
HRC covers the hospitality, foodservice and catering sectors, focusing on kitchen equipment, hospitality technology, furniture, interiors and tableware.
Are there corkage charges at HRC?
No corkage applies if you are sampling or serving your own brand’s alcoholic products, though corkage charges do apply if exhibitors serve alcohol not purchased through the official hospitality provider. Serving any alcoholic beverages sourced outside the official venue caterer requires prior permission from ExCeL London Hospitality, and a per-bottle or per-item corkage charge is enforced for approved external stock to cover licensing and on-site compliance.
Insight
Hear how Quadrant2Design clients have conveyed credentials at relevant industry events.
The Hotel, Restaurant & Catering Show is a fantastic show for us for the simple reason that we have a big focus on F&B.
People love the stand - they really do. They love the logo, they think it’s very clear and to the point, and they seem to understand what we do.
What I love about the stand providers is that they come here, they build it up, we just bring the products in, and it’s a stress-free experience for us. It screams luxury, and that’s what we aim for.
Exhibiting at Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC)? Choose Free-Hire Pro
Free-Hire Pro is the plan of choice among our exhibitors at Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC).
Using Free-Hire Pro, the structural framework of your stand is hired free of charge, allowing you to invest in what matters: your graphics and the end-to-end service that makes exhibiting completely stress-free.
The plan includes project management, stand storage, a full pre-build (crucial for quality and peace of mind), as well as installation and dismantling.
Because our solution is modular, you can reconfigure, reuse and repeat at shows and venues all across the UK and Europe.
Venue & Location
Excel London is a major international exhibition and convention centre located in the Royal Docks area of East London.
Transport
Public Transport
Excel London is connected by an Elizabeth Line station, three DLR stations, a number of bus stops, and a cable car station.
Parking
Those driving to the venue should use E16 1FR on the SatNav, to direct to the car park entrance. Parking can be pre-booked here.
International Travel
London is served by an international train service from France, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as six major airports.
London City Airport is the closest airport to Excel, just a 15-minute walk away or a short journey by DLR, bus or taxi. With flights to 30+ destinations across Europe, London City Airport makes travelling to exhibitions, conferences and events quick and convenient.
Accommodation
Sundown London Yacht Hotel
Located in London (Docklands), Sunborn London is steps from ExCeL Exhibition Centre and a 4-minute drive from River Thames. This hotel is 4.3 mi (6.9 km) from The Arena and 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from Tower Bridge.
Novotel London Excel
With a stay at Novotel London ExCeL in London (Docklands), you’ll be within a 5-minute walk of ExCeL Exhibition Centre and Royal Victoria Bridge. This hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from IFS Cloud Royal Docks Station and 0.3 mi (0.6 km) from The Crystal.
Ibis London Excel Docklands
Located in London (Docklands), ibis London Excel Docklands is within a 10-minute drive of The Arena and Tower of London. This hotel is 4.8 mi (7.7 km) from Tower Bridge and 5.9 mi (9.5 km) from London Bridge.
Food & Drink
Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar
Explore a world of flavour-packed street food dining, all while soaking up the relaxed vibes of the Royal Docks waterfront.
BUN.
Burgers, Hot Dogs and more… From the classic cheeseburger with a twist to a tasty hot dog and fries on the side, BUN. has something for everyone!
Baba Dhaba
Baba Dhaba serves vibrant Pakastani street food, all created from authentic recipes passed down through generations.
Show Calendar
Many Quadrant2Design clients reuse and reconfigure their stands at:
Advice Guides
Explore some of our recent advice guides:
The Ultimate Guide to Exhibition Stand Design
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Exhibition Stand Reconfiguration Examples with Modular Stands
If you’re currently exploring modular exhibition stands, you might be curious about how they can be reconfigured. Modular exhibition stand contractors talk a lot...
Guide to Exhibition Stand Materials: Impact, sustainability, and longevity
Walk through any exhibition, and you will see a wealth of different stand types. Some are designed for reuse across the entire event calendar,...
Telephone
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