Hampshire Fare launches Business Connect 2026 to bring Hampshire’s food, drink, hospitality and craft sectors together

Businesses from across Hampshire’s food, drink, hospitality and craft sectors are being invited to make new connections, discover local expertise and explore opportunities to work together at Business Connect, Hampshire Fare’s new networking event taking place on Monday 5 October.

Held at the Solent Hotel & Spa in Whiteley from 9am to 12 noon, Business Connect brings together producers, hospitality businesses, venues, chefs, retailers, buyers, suppliers and business service providers under one roof.

For the first time, Hampshire Fare is opening its annual trade-focused event beyond its membership, giving businesses across the wider sector the opportunity to meet potential customers, suppliers and partners, discover new services and hear from people working across the industry.

Natasha Dochniak, Commercial Director of Hampshire Fare, said: ‘We’ve run our Trade Expo successfully for the past two years, but we felt it was time to open it up and create something even more valuable for the wider business community. Business Connect is about making connections – whether that’s finding a new supplier, discovering expertise that can help your business, meeting a potential customer or simply having a conversation that leads somewhere unexpected.’

With over 20 exhibitors already confirmed, attendees will be able to meet businesses offering a range of products, services and expertise, alongside a programme of speakers and opportunities for informal networking. Topics being explored during the morning include practical issues affecting businesses across the sector, with speakers sharing knowledge and insight designed to help businesses tackle challenges, discover new ideas and make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Business Connect is free to attend and you do not need to be a Hampshire Fare member and is proudly supported by Allica Bank.

The event is aimed at anyone working across Hampshire’s food, drink, hospitality and craft sectors, whether you are an established business looking for new opportunities, a smaller business looking for support and expertise, or simply keen to meet other people working in the industry.