March 7, 2017
Your Guide to 2017’s Top Food Trade Shows
Trade shows can be overwhelming, especially with so many to choose from. We broke down the top trade shows happening this year so you don’t have to:
FOODSERVICE
2017 Midwest Foodservice Expo
- WHEN? March 13 – 15
- WHERE? Milwaukee, WI
- WHO? 7,600 buyers from over 19 states, representing restaurants, large-scale dining, bakery, catering, hotel, recreational attractions, grocery and more.
- WHAT? This B2B event, hosted by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, is focused on connecting suppliers with high-level F&B decision makers. Kicking off with a 5k race and brewery tour on Sunday, you’ll have four packed days of new connections, speakers, and classes.
- Sessions to check out:
- Farm to Fork: How to Use Local Farm Ingredients Throughout the Year
- How to Engage and Retain Millennial Customers and Employees
- Cause Marketing Through the Eyes of Culver’s
International Pizza Expo 2017
- WHEN? March 27 – 30
- WHERE? Las Vegas, NV
- WHO? 7,000 pizzeria or pizza-concept restaurant owners, operators and managers, as well as distributors and food brokers.
- WHAT? Join the largest pizza show in the world for four days of workshops, seminars, speakers and networking. This expo, now in its 33rd year, has over 1,000 booth participants.
- Sessions to check out:
- Panel Discussion: Common Pizzeria Startup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Pizza Crust Boot Camp
- Adding Pizza Styles to Your Menu: The Business Equation
NRA Show 2017: The International Foodservice Marketplace
- WHEN? May 20-30
- WHERE? Chicago, IL
- WHO? 45,000 foodservice buyers who are searching for new products and services to take their operations to the next level.
- WHAT? Join the NRA Show for four days of everything foodservice. You’ll be able to connect with other industry professionals, taste the latest trends, learn during on-floor education sessions and more.
- Sessions to check out:
- Key Trends Shaping the Future of Foodservice
- Cannabis & Culinary: The New Frontier
- The Impact of Customer-Facing Technology on Restaurant Design
NACUFS 2017 National Conference – National Association of College & University Food Services
- WHEN? July 7 – 15
- WHERE? Nashville, TN
- WHO? 5,000 collegiate foodservice professionals from campus dining departments around the country.
- WHAT? The NACUFS National Conference is four days of exciting, intensive education, idea sharing and networking within the collegiate foodservice industry. This year’s conference will also feature best-selling authors Chef Sean Brock and Steve Donahue.
SNA’s Annual National Conference 2017
- WHEN? July 9-12
- WHERE? Atlanta, GA
- WHO? 6,000 attendees from school nutrition, industry and allied organizations.
- WHAT? SNA’s Annual National Conference, known as the “School Nutrition Event of the Year,” brings together school nutrition and foodservice professionals from all over the country for an event full of education and networking.
- Sessions to check out:
- Beyond School Lunch: Maximizing Summer, Afterschool and Breakfast
- Food Allergy Focus: How to Approach Gluten-Free and Food Allergies
- Incorporating Culinary Trends Into School Menus
The 2017 AHF Annual Conference
- WHEN? August 15-18
- WHERE? National Harbor, MD
- WHO? Foodservice manufacturers, service providers, and consultants within the healthcare industry.
- WHAT? This four-day conference is dedicated to foodservice within the healthcare industry. You’ll get access to the latest issues facing the industry and also be able to network with your industry peers.
NACS Show
- WHEN? October 17-20
- WHERE? Chicago, IL
- WHO? 23,500 convenience and fuel-retailing professionals from around the world.
- WHAT? The NACS Show is the place to network with convenience and fuel-retailing industry professionals. The expo, taking up 400,000 sq. ft., showcases the latest products and services for c-stores. The conference also hosts several deep-dive educational sessions.
RETAIL
SNAXPO 2017
- WHEN? April 1 – 4
- WHERE? Savannah, GA
- WHO? 1,200 industry professionals from leading manufacturers and suppliers in all areas of the snack food industry.
- WHAT? Find the latest equipment, technology, ingredients, products and services that will improve snack manufacturers’ operations at SNAC International’s annual trade show.
- Sessions to check out:
- State of Snacking – Lessons Learned From the Global Market
- Navigating the Nutrition Facts Panel
- New and Emerging Snacks in the Traditional and Better-For-You Categories
2017 NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo – National Confectioners Association
- WHEN? May 23 – 25
- WHERE? Chicago, IL
- WHO? 17,000 candy and snack professionals from nearly 90 countries.
- WHAT? The National Confectioners Association is hosting the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo to dive deep into the candy, snack and specialty market. Get the chance to meet different players in this industry, from large multinational firms down to boutique, gourmet manufacturers, and learn the latest retail and shopping trends.
- Sessions to check out:
- It’s All About the Packaging: Candy and Snack Packaging Trends
- What IBM is Seeing in Your Shopping Future
- Labeling and Regulations: What You Need to Know for Candy and Snacks
63rd Summer Fancy Food Show
- WHEN? June 25 – 27
- WHERE? New York, NY
- WHO? 47,000 food industry professionals who are looking for the latest innovative and exciting products on the market.
- WHAT? The Summer Fancy Food Show, part of Specialty Food week, showcases the latest products and newest producers across specialty gourmet, ethnic, natural and organic foods, snacks and beverages.
Natural Products Expo East 2017
- WHEN? September 13 – 16
- WHERE? Baltimore, MD
- WHO? 28,000 retailers, health practitioners, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers..
- WHAT? Join Natural Products Expo East to see 2018’s biggest natural brands and products. With over 1,450 brands and 450 first-time exhibitors, you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of innovative trends in food, beverage, supplement and personal care products. You can also purchase additional passes to attend their education program.
PLMA’s 2017 Private Label Tradeshow
- WHEN? November 12-14
- WHERE? Chicago, IL
- WHO? Today’s supermarkets, supercenters, drug chains, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, online retailers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, discounters, and military exchanges.
- WHAT? More than 1,300 companies from 40 companies will be exhibiting their products at this year’s Private Label Tradeshow for retailers and wholesalers who are sourcing for their private label programs. You’ll have the chance to identify interesting products and companies in advance of the show to set up one-on-one meetings.