Five oil companies have so far signed up to exhibit at next year’s International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show (IFFE), which will take place at the Birmingham NEC from March 1-3, 2009.

GB Oils, Harvest Energy, LP Gas, Murco and Pace will all be there.

Mike Skinner, sales manager for independent retailers at Harvest Energy, explained why his company had chosen to attend the event: "IFFE is a great platform to demonstrate what you have to offer to independent forecourt retailers. At the 2008 show there was plenty of positive interest; we took plenty of good quality leads and we have many imminent conversions.

"The event helped to secure our most recent coup with the Harvest re-branding of three of the four Sectorsure Group sites in the south east as well as cementing relationships with current good prospects. We now look forward to being overwhelmed with enquiries that will lead to our business portfolio increasing considerably over 2009."

Coinciding with IFFE is the prestigious Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies awards and dinner. Details of the date and venue will be available shortly.

The Convenience Retailing Show runs alongside IFFE and for 2009 it will have a new area called Cafe+. Aimed at the booming in-store café, sandwich and coffee shop market, it aims to put operators in touch with suppliers who can help them boost their trade. A Cafe+ Live area will include workshops and demonstrations.