International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO

What International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO does

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO, operated by ICDA Awards Ltd, is a trade-only exhibition and awards platform serving the global cheese and dairy industry. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Nantwich, England, with the primary event venue at Staffordshire County Showground (Stafford), the organisation runs two intertwined annual products: the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), which blind-judges 4,500+ product entries across 400+ classes by 250+ independent experts from 35+ countries, and the ICDA EXPO, a two-day trade exhibition (23-24 June) featuring 200+ exhibitors across the full dairy supply chain and drawing 2,500+ qualified trade visitors. The EXPO serves retail buyers, foodservice operators, distributors, dairy manufacturers, and technical suppliers, with structured Hosted Buyer meetings, themed content theatres (Retail, Foodservice, Technical & Sustainability), and a Chef's Kitchen demonstration programme. The 2027 edition operates under the 'Connecting Dairy' theme, organising exhibition zones, awards, and stage content around five pillars: Networks & Collaboration, Environment & Sustainability, eXperience & Engagement, Upskilling & Culture, and Systems & Supply Chain Excellence.

The business generates revenue across five streams: exhibition stand sales (shell scheme and space-only, with phased payment terms), multi-tier sponsorship packages (headline partners, class sponsorship, theatre naming rights, feature attractions, networking lounge), awards entry fees (with a post-Brexit European consolidation hub for international entries), ancillary visitor services (£30 Wednesday lunch tickets, premium workshops), and lead-capture technology sales (smart-badge scanners). Visitor registration is free for trade buyers and foodservice operators, while the trade-only model ensures high-intent audiences. Supporting the platform is an ICDA Ambassador Programme with 12+ regional representatives across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australasia, plus partnerships with the Academy of Cheese (judging masterclasses) and the Society of Dairy Technology (Summer Conference and Symposium integration). The organisation is a private limited company operating on an industry-driven, not-for-profit-style basis with no external PE/VC backing and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO

Legal name

ICDA Awards Ltd

Website

https://internationalcheesedairyexpo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO operates the world's longest-running dairy awards scheme (founded 1897) and a trade-only exhibition serving 200+ exhibitors and 2,500+ retail buyers, foodservice operators, and technical decision-makers in the global cheese and dairy supply chain, generating revenue from stand sales, multi-tier sponsorship, and awards entry fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Exhibition and Industry Awards Services

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL), Cheese Packaging & Portioning (Retail Packs, Snack Packs, Singles) (AFAHABAI)

Keywords

• Dairy trade exhibition
• Cheese awards programme
• Trade show organiser
• Hosted buyer programme
• Industry awards scheme

Headquarters

HQ city

Nantwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Sales: Exhibitors pay for stand space at the ICDA EXPO, with pricing based on zone, size, and position. Floor plan and stand options include shell scheme and space-only packages. Prime locations (corner sites, feature-adjacent plots) are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis upon confirmed and invoiced reservation. Payment terms require 40% with contract, 40% by 31 January, and 20% by 31 March.
2. Sponsorship Packages: Multiple sponsorship tiers are available including Headline/Tiered Partner Packages (theatre naming rights, hosted buyer lounge, show guide/app takeovers), Class or Section Sponsorship (individual product class naming), Exhibition Stands & Feature Attractions, Education Centre sponsorship, Foodservice Kitchen branding, Judge's Comments editorial assets, Live Streaming, Cheese & Dairy Report post-show editorial, and Press Events. Packages are sold as annual opportunities with year-round visibility.
3. Visitor Registration & Lunch Tickets: Trade visitors (buyers, foodservice operators) attend free of charge. Optional paid add-ons include lunch tickets (£30 on the Wednesday) and premium sessions/workshops that require additional tickets.
4. Awards Entry Fees: Producers and manufacturers pay entry fees to submit products for judging at the ICDA Awards. Entry deadlines and sample arrival windows are published on the website. Non-UK producers can enter with international entries facilitated by a European consolidation hub established post-Brexit.
5. Lead Capture Technology: Exhibitors can purchase smart-badge scanners integrated with the event app for GDPR-compliant lead capture, providing a data monetization stream from technology-enhanced exhibitor services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO operates the world's longest-running cheese and dairy awards scheme (founded 1897) alongside the UK's premier trade-only exhibition for the dairy industry. The annual event combines blind product judging of 4,500+ entries by 250+ independent experts with a 200+ exhibitor trade show connecting dairy producers, brands, retailers, foodservice operators, distributors, and technical suppliers over two days at Staffordshire County Showground.

Product overview

The International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO operates two core products: the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA) — the world's longest-running and largest cheese and dairy awards scheme founded in 1897 — and the ICDA EXPO — the UK's premier trade-only exhibition for the cheese and dairy industry. The awards platform judges 4,500+ entries annually across 250+ expert judges, while the EXPO brings together 200+ exhibitors with retail buyers, foodservice operators, and technical professionals. Supporting products include an event app with GDPR-compliant lead capture, Digital Guide, content theatres (Retail, Foodservice, Technical & Sustainability), Chef's Kitchen demonstrations, Winners' Showcase, and the Hosted Buyer Programme. The ICDA Ambassador Programme connects regional representatives across 10+ countries, while Steward and Judging Masterclass programmes support the judging process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA)
• ICDA EXPO Exhibition Stands

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning products typically report 10-30% increases in sales post-win
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• NovonesisflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Novonesis (formerly Chr. Hansen's biosolutions division) became the sponsor of the Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion at the ICDA Awards. Their first appearance under the new Novonesis brand was at the 2024 EXPO. Novonesis had previously been a long-time supporter through Chr. Hansen, which sponsored the Double Gloucester and Blue Cheese category trophies. They are signed up for 2025 and future editions.
• iffflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026iff is the sponsor of the Supreme Champion Dairy Product (Non-Cheese) at the ICDA Awards 2026, holding the iff Trophy naming rights for Supreme Dairy Retailer as well.
• Eat LeancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Eat Lean sponsors the Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition Award category at the ICDA Awards 2026, recognising products excelling in health and nutrition attributes.
• TescocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Tesco sponsors the Supreme Artisan Specialist Cheese category at the ICDA Awards 2026, supporting recognition of artisan and specialist cheese producers.
• WIPAKcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026WIPAK sponsors the Supreme Cheese Retailer award (WIPAK Trophy) at the ICDA Awards 2026, recognising the best retailer for cheese selection.
• LactalisflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Lactalis sponsors the Foodservice Excellence Awards at the ICDA Awards 2026, including Best Food Service Innovation, Foodservice & B2B Culinary Usage, Cooking Cheese, and Best Single Bite Finger Food categories. Lactalis-Mainland New Zealand also won Supreme Champion Cheese 2026.
• Chr. HansencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Chr. Hansen was a long-time supporter of the ICDA before the formation of Novonesis. They sponsored the Double Gloucester and Blue Cheese category trophies, and became sponsor of the Supreme Champion Award in 2023. They describe the ICDA as a hugely important event for meeting cheese and dairy manufacturers across the globe.
• AmericoldcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Americold became a Key Sponsor in 2022. They offer temperature-controlled storage and distribution network services, providing the vital link from farm to fork. With over 16,000 associates, they are a major logistics partner for the cold-chain dairy supply chain.
• RowcliffecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Rowcliffe introduced the Supreme Artisan Producer of the Year Award in 2022 to support and create awareness for UK and international artisan cheese and dairy producers. The winner receives a Key Sponsor Package and a market stall at the following year's awards.
• Fayrefield FoodscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFayrefield Foods sponsors the dedicated Networking Lounge at the ICDA EXPO. The lounge provides free tea, coffee, and a grazing board, creating a professional yet relaxed setting for meaningful buyer-seller conversations and business development.
• Academy of CheesecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy of Cheese is partnered with ICDA to hold judging masterclasses at the EXPO, providing attendees an introduction to cheese judging. The Grand Gourmand LTD is the only New Zealand accredited trainer provider for the Academy of Cheese (UK).
• Society of Dairy Technology (SDT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SDT Summer Conference dinner takes place alongside the ICDA EXPO on the evening of Day 1, consolidating relationships and thought leadership among dairy technologists. The SDT Symposium is integrated into Day 1 programming with technical and sustainability theatre content.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Speciality & Fine Food Fair: UK trade exhibition for artisan and speciality food producers, sharing the premium dairy exhibitor pool with ICDA EXPO. Compares on format (trade-only exhibition) and audience (retail buyers, foodservice operators).
• World Cheese Awards: The largest international cheese-only awards competition, judging thousands of entries globally. Directly competes with ICDA for international cheese producer recognition and buyer attention in the cheese category.
• Guild of Fine Food (Great Taste Awards): Operates the UK's leading independent food and drink awards (Great Taste) and related trade events (Speciality & Fine Food Fair). Most comparable to ICDA as a UK-based awards-plus-events platform for premium food producers, with similar exhibitor, sponsorship, and entry-fee revenue streams.
• Farm Shop & Deli Show: Trade show for farm shops, delis, and speciality retailers in the UK. Overlaps with ICDA's buyer audience and dairy artisan exhibitor base, making it a competing channel for dairy brand attention.

Others

• Dairy UK: UK dairy industry trade association representing producers and processors. Adjacent industry body rather than competitor, but serves the same dairy producer and processor audience as ICDA.
• International Dairy Federation (IDF): Global dairy industry body providing scientific and technical standards. Comparable as an international dairy sector umbrella organization, with broader policy/mandate and no exhibitions business.
• Society of Dairy Technology (SDT): Professional body for dairy technologists whose Summer Conference is co-located with ICDA EXPO. A partner rather than competitor, but comparable as an industry-credentialing and content organization serving the dairy sector.

Broad incumbents

• IFE - International Food & Drink Event: Major UK food and drink trade exhibition covering broad categories. Overlaps with ICDA's dairy exhibitor segment but serves a much wider food industry scope, including non-dairy competitors.
• Anuga FoodTec: Global trade fair for food and beverage technology, including dairy processing. Comparable as a flagship industry trade exhibition serving dairy manufacturing decision-makers, though broader in scope.

Regional players

• Hospitality Show (HRC / IFE): UK foodservice-focused trade exhibition covering hospitality and catering operators. Overlaps with ICDA's Day 2 foodservice audience and competes for dairy brand's foodservice marketing budgets in the UK.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-cheese-awards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Cheese & Dairy Awards & EXPO