Passionate for all things chocolate
Lily O’Brien’s
Lily O’Brien's story begins in 1992, when Mary Ann O'Brien has just recovered from a debilitating illness. Mary Ann was ready to start anew and discovered her love for chocolate. She trained with world-class chefs and chocolatiers in both South Africa and Europe and ultimately honed her chocolate-making skills.
Mary Ann created high-quality chocolate recipes for friends and family and eventually decided to expand her enterprise to position excellent Irish chocolate on the world map. She named the company after her daughter, Lily, and history happened—Lily O’Brien's became one of Ireland's best-loved chocolatiers.
Mary Ann and the rest of her team have been developing mouth-watering chocolate creations using the finest quality ingredients since then. Its best-selling chocolates include Honeycomb Crispy Hearts, Creamy Sticky Toffee, and Sea-Salted Caramel Chocolate.
For customers looking for a personalised gift, Lily O’Brien's can custom print the customers’ images and messages into their assorted chocolate collection boxes. Chocolates for baking are also available.
Lily O’Brien's is committed to the highest sustainability and environmental standards. The company sources raw materials from ethically traded ingredients, including palm oil from members of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). It has a sustainable plantation that supports and protects farmers’ livelihoods. The company is also a member of Origin Green, which helps in aligning its goals and implementing environmental and social standards into its operations. All of its Dessert Pots are made from PEFC-approved board and are 100% recyclable. It aims to replace every flow-wrapped chocolate that contains plastic packaging with a new plastic-free recyclable material by the end of 2022.
In 1995, Lily O’Brien's started supplying the travel sector and introduced their chocolates to the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) show, which was prior to the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE). At WTCE’s first event, Lily O’Brien’s showcased its individually wrapped Chocolate Sweets, Bars, and Clusters that had been specifically designed for airlines, rail companies, and cruise ships. In 2022, the brand boasts over 250 chocolate recipes, including specific dietary options such as vegan and halal.
WTCE contributed to the growth of Lily O’Brien's. According to a spokesperson for the chocolate business, "We see WTCE as a global show that allows us to meet customers from regions we would not normally have access to. Having so many global air, rail, and cruise operators under one roof has a huge benefit for us as an international business.
In addition to meeting new companies, it is also very important for us to catch up with existing customers to understand their needs and to share with them any new innovations we may be working on. We are passionate about creating amazing and innovative chocolate recipes using the finest quality ingredients. The show itself is an ideal platform to launch new products and to reach as many customers as possible. Chocolate is a fantastic currency to have at a food show!”
Lily O’Brien's is one of the companies that has been exhibiting every year at WTCE since 2012. And this is well noted by WTCE. WTCE Event Director, Polly Magraw, said: “Stories like Lily O’Brien’s is what WTCE is all about. The exhibitors who have been with us every year since 2012 have come so far in the last 10 years and we’re proud that the show has been such a big part of their success. Lily O’Brien’s is a pioneer in the confectionery space and I’m looking forward to visiting the stand in Hamburg this June to try out the newest flavours in its ever-expanding range.”
A lot of companies have come a long way just by exhibiting at WTCE. You, too, can make it happen! Put your business in front of airline and rail buyers by securing your exhibition stand today.
We see WTCE as a global show that allows us to meet customers from regions we would not normally have access to.
Lily O’Brien's spokesperson
Lily O'Brien is not alone in finding success as a WTCE exhibitor. Many companies have reported huge and lucrative deals thanks to their participation in the air and rail industry’s flagship onboard services event.
More Exhibitor Success Stories
Matrix
Company showcases Bio-Form travel amenities and textiles at WTCE.
FORMIA
WTCE served as a platform for FORMIA to meet global airline customers and industry colleagues.
Linstol
"WTCE is the largest show in our industry, and it gives us the opportunity to have meaningful face-to-face contact with existing airline partners.”
Need more information?
Are you interested in exhibiting at WTCE but have some questions? We're here to talk you through all the information you need and ensure you meet your business goals.
Ready to exhibit?
We are excited to help you achieve your business goals. If you’re ready to take your place at the most important meeting of the industry in Europe, there are a few simple steps to securing your place.