No matter where you stand with food trade shows and restaurant shows they give you some of the best opportunities to build brand awareness, learn new ways to market your brand, and gain feedback on your products. But before attending a show, be sure this is meant for you and your target market.
- Fancy Food Show
The Fancy Food Show is one of the largest food and drink exhibitions on the West and East Coast. Each show draws more than 47,000 industry professional’s for a three day event. Exhibiting at one of the Fancy Food Shows is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to meet potential clients from around the world and showcase your products.
2. Natural Products Expo
If the name didn’t already give it away, this expo showcases natural, organic food products. The shows bring over 22,000 industry professionals and more than 1,400 exhibitors. Popular brand names that you will see at these events include: KIND, Larabar, Annie’s, and Bob’s Red Mill.
These expos are not only for showcasing food and beverages, but also for mental and physical health. Each has “Events OFF the Show Floor” which include yoga, runs, community breakfast, film screenings, and more! Be sure to also attend the educational discussions to receive tips and ideas on growing your business, as well as how to strengthen your relationships with existing buyers and distributors.
3. United Fresh (June 25-27, 2018, Chicago, IL)
United Fresh Convention and Expo brings together fresh produce and floral merchandisers. This event shows fresh food trends and produce, along with tools and technology. This event brings together everyone in the fresh product supply chain. The multiple expos that take place during the 3-day event include:
- Smart Food Expo
- United Fresh Tec Expo
- Global Cold Chain Expo
- United Fresh Mkt Expo
- International Floriculture Expo
This event also includes many networking opportunities with dinners and receptions for each industry. United Fresh Produce Association prides themselves with holding a business-first event.
4. Supply Side West (Nov 6-10, 2018, Las Vegas, NV)
“The industries gathering point where science and strategy intersect.” With more than 16,000 participates, 10,000 ingredients, and 2,000 exhibitors, this is one of the leading expos to attend if you are interested in dietary supplements, animal nutrition, personal care, and food and beverage markets. With so much to see and learn this creates a unique experience to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities and decision-makers looking for creative ingredients and services.
5. America’s Food and Beverage Show (Oct 1-2, 2018, Miami Beach, FL)
The largest trade show focusing on Americas food and beverage industry. This event draws large wholesalers looking for large buyers, such as Hotels, Cruise Lines, Fast Food Chains, and Resorts. This show gives exhibitors the opportunity to reach a larger market and mainstream their product. It is held in Miami Beach because it’s considered to be the “Trade Hub of the Americas”, bringing in more than 10,000 attendees each year.
6. Coffee Fest
Being the largest coffee and tea expo in America expect a major buzz after this 3-day event, literally. This event showcases everything an upscale coffee shop should be doing from how to have the best nitro and cold brew, food integration, drink innovations, and seminars on building your cafe. You will leave with new clientele, new ideas, a larger network, and feeling refreshed. With three different expos throughout the year you can choose which is best for you to attend.
- Los Angeles, CA, August 19-21, 2018
- New York, March 3-5, 2019
- Indianapolis, May 31-June 2, 2019
7. Pizza Expo (March 4-7, 2019, Las Vegas, NV)
Known as the “World’s Largest Pizza Industry Show” this trade show is the number one show for the pizza industry. Not only do attendees include pizzeria managers and owners, but they also include food brokers and distributors. Not open to the public, Pizza Expo provides opportunities for marketing, point-of-sale systems, kitchen equipment, and much more. With more than 500 attendees the opportunities are endless.
8. Northwest Food Show (April 14-15, 2019, Portland, OR)
The Northwest Food Show trades places in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington each year. This show is best for people who work in Northwest food industry, focusing on Pacific Northwest cuisine. Be sure to attendee the educational seminars on how to grow your food business, how to handle food costs, labor costs, and operations, along with a tasting pavilion (21+ of age).
9. Process Expo (Oct 8-11, 2019, Chicago, IL)
One of the fastest growing food shows in the US, Process Expo is owned and operated by Food Processing Suppliers Association (FSPA). Bringing together leading food and beverage processors, equipment manufacturers, and academic leaders from around the globe. Growing over the years Process Expo enables exhibitors to generate new leads and clientele at a reasonable price.
10. PMA Fresh Summit (Oct 18-20, 2018, Orlando, FL)
Bringing together the floral and fresh produce supply chain, this is one of the most important events for the fresh industry. Connecting produce and floral experts, decision-makers, and leaders from more than 60 countries. This event also gives a highly targeted market opportunity. These are people you need to know if you are involved in the fresh produce industry.
Which trade shows will you be attending in 2018/2019?
These are only 10 trade shows of many out there, so if you and your team feel that none of these work for you, do your research on what industry is best for you. While it may be difficult to take a few days to travel to these events these food trade shows and restaurant shows are irreplaceable on what you learn to better grow your business.
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