Bookings open for the 30th Annual Dinner
Thursday 15th October 2026 - Crowne Plaza Belfast
Held in partnership with Kinisla, the 30th NIFDA Annual Dinner will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge on Thursday 15th October 2026 with Joe Manning, Commercial and Property Director at Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland as keynote speaker.
With over 300 industry representatives and government stakeholders expected to be in attendance, the event is a key fixture in the calendar of Northern Ireland food and drink and the wider business community. The event sold out within two weeks of opening in 2025, so be sure to book your tickets promptly.
Further information on the event timings and speakers is outlined below (subject to change).
Event Timings
5:45pm | Drinks Reception with Industry |
7:00pm | Opening Speeches– Michael Bell OBE, NIFDA Executive Director |
– Tim Gault, Commercial Director, Consumer Foods – Kinisla | |
– Simon Fitzpatrick, NIFDA Chair and Commercial Director, Coca-Cola HBC | |
7.30pm | Keynote Speaker |
8:00pm | Dinner |
10:30pm | Close |
Dress Code – The attire for the evening is business dress
Ticket Prices
To book your tickets and secure your place at the 30th Annual Dinner, please click on the link below or contact Morrow Communications Events nifda@morrowcommunications.com.
Invoices will be issued directly from NIFDA.
NIFDA Members
NIFDA Non Members
Keynote Speaker
As Commercial and Property Director, Joe is responsible for the integrated commercial performance of Tesco across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while also leading the property strategy and portfolio for Tesco in the Republic of Ireland. Having joined Tesco in 2024 as Ambient Category Director, Joe went on to become Fresh Director in 2017 before being appointed Commercial Director in 2018. Prior to Tesco he held a variety of commercial roles with Cadbury/Mondelez International across Ireland and the UK.
Joe leads the sourcing and supplier partnerships that support agribusiness across the island of Ireland. He also has responsibility for delivering Tesco’s Planet agenda and for ensuring Tesco Ireland’s property portfolio continues to support the long-term growth of the business and the needs of customers and communities across the Republic of Ireland.
Joe Manning
Commercial Director
Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland
Event Sponsor
