KW Marketing returns with its sell-out FUEL LIVE event, helping food & drink brands turn marketing into measurable, scalable revenue.
Food and drink brands across the South West are increasing investment in marketing, but many are still struggling to translate that activity into consistent sales, according to Devon-based agency KW Marketing.
The issue will be at the centre of FUEL LIVE, the agency’s flagship growth event, returning to Exeter on Thursday 23rd April for its third year after two consecutive sell-out events.
Designed for ambitious food and drink brands, the half-day event focuses on helping founders and marketers move beyond reactive campaigns and build structured, scalable marketing systems that drive measurable growth.
“Brands aren’t short on activity,” says Kate Williams, founder of KW Marketing. “They’re posting, running ads, sending emails, but it’s not connected. It’s not building anything long-term. That’s why results feel inconsistent. One good week, then nothing. And then you’re back trying to figure out what to do next.”
The event comes at a time when many regional brands are under pressure to justify marketing spend while navigating increasingly competitive markets and shifting consumer behaviour.
Held at The View, Sandy Park in Exeter, FUEL LIVE 2026 will bring together around 80 founders and senior marketers from across the UK, with a strong representation from the South West’s growing food and drink sector.
Unlike traditional conferences, the event is positioned as a practical working session rather than an ideas-led forum.
“There’s no fluff at FUEL,” Williams adds. “It’s not about more ideas. It’s about clarity, understanding what’s actually working right now, what’s not, and how to build a marketing engine that actually drives sales.”
This year’s speaker line-up includes a mix of high-growth founders and industry experts. George Robinson, founder of SoSweet, will share how he has scaled the brand across TikTok, Amazon and retail channels. Helena Hills, chief executive of TrueStart Coffee, will focus on building a distinctive brand in a crowded market, while Nicola Elliott, founder of Single Variety Co, will outline an alternative approach to scaling without relying on supermarkets.
Alongside these sessions, the KW Marketing team will deliver insights on building owned revenue channels, understanding the financial drivers behind growth, and aligning marketing into a cohesive, long-term strategy.
Previous attendees have included brands such as Boundless, Littles Coffee, Quicke’s Cheese and Devon Rum Co, with organisers reporting that all attendees from earlier events said they would return.
“There’s something powerful about getting the right people in the room,” Williams says. “The conversations, the shared challenges, the clarity people leave with, that’s where the real value is. FUEL is about creating that space.”
The event is supported by regional and industry partners including The Food Marketing Club, The Food WorksSW, Taste of the West, RAW PR, Hale Events, Rise & Shine, Aisling Magill and Fleet Street News, reflecting a wider effort to support and grow the South West’s food and drink sector.
Early bird availability is already generating interest ahead of the April event, with organisers expecting another sell-out.
FUEL LIVE 2026 takes place on 23 April from 9:30am to 12:30pm at The View, Sandy Park, Exeter. FUEL LIVE 2026 tickets are available now via KW Marketing’s website.
Contact:
hello@kwmarketinguk.co.uk
kwmarketinguk.co.uk
Broadwalk House, Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1TS
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