Supplier to Buyer – a crucial event for anyone involved in the tourism industry, leisure and hospitality in South-West Wales - is being held at Haverfordwest tomorrow, February 3rd.

The regional tourism trade event aims to provide an exciting chance to discover new products and marketing opportunities, and be inspired by innovative ideas.

It will be held at the Brithdir Hall Exhibition Centre at Withybush Showground between 11am and 4pm. Entry is free and you can pre-book through Pembrokeshire Tourism or drop in on the day.

Alison Belton, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said the visitor economy is worth over £500m to Pembrokeshire alone, and much more to the region of south west Wales.

“From food producers, web designers, interior decorators, retailers and others, they all benefit from a vibrant tourism industry,” she said.

“The event will bring all involved in tourism, hospitality and leisure under one roof - an opportunity for suppliers to get to know their buyers.”

She added: “We are delighted to join with Pembrokeshire County Council's food team in bringing together this spectacular regional trade event. I would say it is essential for anyone involved in the tourism industry, leisure and hospitality to come along.”

Supplier to Buyer will include more than 80 trade exhibitors ranging from local meat producers, cheeses, and spirits to digital marketing, photography, furniture, lighting, printers, security and fire safety, environmental recycling and many others all ready to make great offers for the forthcoming season.

The event will include workshops with Jonathan Jones, head of Visit Wales, Simon Wright, renowned food critic, and Cllr Jamie Adams, deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.   Visitors can taste local beers, ciders and cheeses in the ploughman’s workshop or watch Linda Hunt of Meigan Designs workshop on Bedrooms on a Budget, using local suppliers and giving that real sense of place for accommodation providers.

The event will also see the launch of Ffres – an exciting new web-based initiative at www.ffres.org designed to bring all those involved in the burgeoning food tourism sector in the region closer together.

“If you’re involved in food tourism in south west Wales, then Ffres is for you,” said Gary Davies, regional strategy director of the South West Wales Tourism Partnership (SWWTP).

“Ffres is a place we can come to find about each other, establish better links, and learn what’s going on in terms of promotions and events. It’s a place where we can strengthen the links in our regional food chain by putting people in touch and finding new and innovative ways to do business together.

“Ffres exists to help us all strengthen and improve our businesses and therefore develop the offering of the region as a whole, and we all stand to gain from that.”

Kate Morgan, food officer for Pembrokeshire County Council, said Supplier to Buyer was an important event for chefs, cooks, proprietors and retailers.

“It’s a fact that when we go on holiday, sampling the local produce is a big part of the experience,” she said. “If you can cater for that demand, that’s going to add an extra dimension to your business and become an additional marketing tool.

“This corner of Wales has excellent producers, delivering first-class, fresh, high-quality produce – we need to make the most of them, and use them wherever possible. This is a great chance for the hospitality and retail sectors to really find out what products are out there, where they are produced, and how they can use them in their business.”