Dinner With The Buyers: Rail Operators & Rail Caterers

Event Information

Dinner With The Buyers is an evening designed to connect innovative food and drink brands with senior rail operators, rail caterers and key onboard decision makers. Created to encourage meaningful conversation rather than formal pitching, this event offers a rare opportunity to build genuine relationships in a relaxed and high quality setting.

In 2026, TickEat is hosting the first ever rail edition of Dinner With The Buyers on board a beautifully restored train. Dining takes place within historic carriages, creating a unique and immersive environment that naturally sparks conversation and collaboration. With a carefully curated guest list and limited supplier places, the evening is designed to maximise face time with buyers actively shaping rail food and beverage propositions.

This event is ideal for brands looking to enter or expand within rail and onboard catering channels. By removing the pressures of traditional trade events, Dinner With The Buyers allows suppliers and buyers to connect authentically, share insight and explore opportunities in a memorable and engaging setting.

Event Profile

  • Dinner With The Buyers: Rail Operators & Rail Caterers

    Dinner With The Buyers brings together up to 20 carefully selected food and drink brands with senior rail buyers and caterers in an intimate and highly focused environment. First launched by TickEat in 2024, this proven format returns in 2026 with its first rail specific edition, hosted entirely on board a train.

    Guests will dine within beautifully restored train carriages, offering an unforgettable experience that places buyers and suppliers together in a truly immersive setting. The onboard environment encourages relaxed, open conversation and allows relationships to develop naturally throughout the evening.

    This is not a traditional networking event. There are no exhibition stands or scheduled meetings. Instead, the evening is designed to facilitate genuine discussion, practical insight and meaningful introductions that continue beyond the event itself.

    Confirmed buyers include: LNER (3-4 more buyers to confirm). Visit our website or get in touch with our team to see the updated buyer list.

  • Why Attend Dinner With The Buyers?

    This event is designed for brands looking to gain real traction within rail and onboard catering channels.

    ✔ In Depth Buyer Insight
    Gain a clear understanding of how rail buyers operate and what influences sourcing and decision making within onboard environments.

    ✔ Product Sampling and Feedback
    Share your products with buyers and receive honest, actionable feedback on suitability for rail service.

    ✔ Increased Brand Visibility
    Your brand and contact details featured in an event brochure shared with all attendees.

    ✔ Relaxed, High Value Networking
    Build meaningful relationships in an informal setting that encourages authentic conversation without sales pressure.

    ✔ Build Long Term Connections
    Connect with key decision makers and like minded brands, laying the foundations for future listings, trials and partnerships.

  • 2025 Supplier Testimonial

    “The Dinner with the Buyer event was amazing. TickEat went above and beyond to put together not only an exciting event but also one that was hugely useful as a supplier. We were able to gain invaluable insight into the travel industry, whilst also creating direct connections with the buyers that made decisions. We cannot wait until the next one!”
    — Wavey Ice

Contact

TICKEAT LTD
48 Grenada Crescent
Newton Leys
Milton Keynes
United Kingdom
MK3 5GB
  • +44 (0)7944 519 654

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