Diversified Exhibitions (DE) has announced the acquisition of two consumer show brands — The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show and the Gluten Free Food & Allergy Shows.

The Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show was launched in 2006 by Sue Shepherd of the Irresistible Group Australia and takes place at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre annually in October.

Shepherd is recognised with having the vision to bring information around food intolerance and specifically coeliac disease to a broader consumer audience via the staging of this exhibition.

She will act as a consultant on the shows, assisting DE to ensure it remains aligned with current issues and knowledge.
The Gluten Free Food & Allergy Shows have been acquired from Wag Events and take place at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in May and Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in November each year.

All three shows were launched in 2006 and each attract around 130 exhibitors and 8,000-10,000 visitors to the two-day weekend events.

They include seminars on healthy living, advice from health professionals, cooking demonstrations, and tools and information on how to discover whether one is gluten intolerant.

“This expansion complements the success we have achieved with our other food events, particularly Good Food & Wine and Fine Food,” said DE managing director, Matthew Pearce.

“Bringing these events under the management of one organiser also means we can create efficiencies across the three shows that will enable us to invest further in their growth and content, as well as develop them as a national brand.”

Coeliac disease — intolerance to wheat, rye, barley and oats — affects 1 per cent of Australians and has rapidly gained widespread attention and an ensuing thirst for management strategies.