Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 11 NPI AWARDS 2023 heralds the advent of two key dates in the British potato industry calendar, and this year sees a notable development. B P (British Potato), the key calendar date for all those operating in or supplying to the British potato industry, will have a new owner/ organiser for its next event in November 2023. Warners Group Publications, which publishes Potato Review magazine and organises the biannual NPI (National Potato Industry) awards, has taken up the reins of the popular trade show, as its long-term organiser, Steve Wellbeloved, intends to step down next year. Warners, whose head o ce is in Bourne, Lincolnshire, has been a media partner of the show, which takes place at Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, every two years, for many years. BP features trade stands, information hubs and talks and attracts exhibitors and visitors from all sectors of the potato industry. e last one took place in November 2021. e NPI Awards, launched in 2019, are held on the rst night of the show. Exhibitors cover all kinds of issues for growers and suppliers - from the soil right through to processing and retail. Despite taking place amidst COVID-19 restrictions, and uncertainty over Brexit’s implementation, the 2021 event surpassed all expectations. Steve Wellbeloved said the range of exhibits continues to grow and evolve and while he is looking forward to ‘winding down’ while concentrating on other projects, he is pleased to be working alongside Warners on the next show. “It will be business as usual in 2023 and, as with all BP events, I’ll be looking forward to seeing and catching up with our long-term supporters as well as any newcomers,” he said. Editor of Potato Review , Stephanie Cornwall, said: “Since taking on this role in 2018, I’ve received such a warm welcome from everybody I’ve met in the potato business – scientists, retailers, growers and suppliers alike. Potato Review has grown its audience and coverage tremendously over the past four years. BP has given us a wonderful opportunity to extend that network and see new developments rst- hand before all coming together to celebrate in the evening at the awards event. “Steve has done a wonderful job of pulling the exhibition together over the years, and it’s been a pleasure to be a media partner. I’m delighted that we can take our place in continuing this legacy!” Juliet Loiselle, Publisher of Warners’ Group Magazines, said it was an honour to take ownership of the show and she looked forward to introducing new innovations and exhibitors in coming years. “ is ‘seed to shopping trolley’ event o ers an unrivalled opportunity for everyone involved in growing, handling, processing and retailing the crop. We’ve been proud to be a sponsor and are really looking forward to taking it forward and running it alongside the NPI Awards. Steve has been an amazing support and will be staying on as a consultant for the 2023 event,” she said. BP2023 will take place on November 22 nd and 23 rd at the Yorkshire Event Centre. Exhibition stands can now be booked – visit www.bp2023.info for more details. ‘Get involved and join the celebrations’ says awards sponsor AS a sponsor of the National Potato Industry Awards, which takes place inNovember on the rst night of BP2023, Kings Lynn-based JDCooling Group, urged all those involved in the industry to start thinking of how they too can get involved. Group Business Development Director Richard Corby said: “JD Cooling Group are proud to be sponsoring this year’s National Potato Industry Awards, an event we have had the pleasure of attending and supporting for a number of years. We look forward to celebrating the hard work of growers and suppliers alike and seeing their successes recognised within the industry. “We believe it is important to promote and reward good practice and innovation, and will continue to provide services that will support their achievements.” Explaining why people should enter, or nominate a person, company, product or service, Richardwent on to say: “As sponsor of the National Potato Industry Awards, we believe awards events are a great way to really promote the hardwork and achievements throughout this exciting industry. e JDCooling Group have been extremely impressedwith the standard of entries over the last two awards and are excited tomeet the success of the industry once again.” Awards organiser to carry the BP baton Stephanie Cornwall Juliet Loiselle