Top 12 Food & Beverage Trade Shows in North America

While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives and industries across the globe, perhaps no sector was hit harder than food and beverage.

Bars, restaurants, and hotels felt the most immediate impact. COVID shutdowns forced many to close for months, and the policy of gradual reopening coupled with new regulations and consumer fears further stressed this sector.

The impact on grocery stores was sightly different. Deemed an “essential business,” these businesses remained open but had to manage increased health and safety regulations for employees and customers, a sudden uptick in online shopping and demand for curbside and home delivery, and volatile supply chains (which also impacted bars, restaurants, and hotels).

However, there are positive signs on the horizon. While many new consumer habits adopted during the pandemic are likely to stick around, the food and beverage industry has proved to be very adaptable to these changes (such as improved to-go options and creating cook-at-home meal kits. According to Statista, the food and beverage industry will reach about $26.8 million in 2021. Expect an annual growth rate of 5.8%, resulting in a projected market volume of $33.5 million by 2025.

Despite the dramatic highs of lows of the past year, the food and beverage industry remains highly competitive. It is more important than ever to cement your brand experience with clients and consumers. As trade shows & conferences make a triumphant return, they provide an excellent opportunity to showcase what makes your business special within the industry.

Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America

When: Sept. 9-12, 2021 / May 2-5, 2022 | Where: Denver, CO (2021) / Minneapolis, MN (2022)

This trade fair travels to a different city (the 2022 show also hosts the World Beer Cup). Hundreds of vendors and over 10,000 brewery industry professionals attend this annual event. The on-premises brewpubs and taprooms, along with educational tracts and the opportunity to mingle with top industry professionals, make this industry-only conference the perfect opportunity to discover the latest tips and tricks.

The NGA (National Grocers Association) Show

When: Sept. 19-21, 2021 / Feb. 27-March 2, 2022 | Where: Las Vegas, NV

The NGA Show is a specialized food and beverage exhibition led exclusively by retailers. It features more than 40 educational workshops and 400 exhibitors showcasing innovative, cutting-edge, and game-changing products and solutions.

Americas Food & Beverage Show

When: Sept. 20-24, 2021 (virtual only) / Sept. 12-13, 2022 | Where: Miami, FL

The Americas Food & Beverage Show is the largest food and beverage trade show in the Western Hemisphere. The Americas Food & Beverage Show focuses on increasing trade between food and beverage companies throughout the Americas. Decision-makers and buyers from all industry sectors come to discover new markets, products, marketing trends, and ideas from more than 500 exhibitors.

HX: The Hotel Experience

When: Nov. 14-15, 2021 | Where: New York, NY

HX: The Hotel Experience is the show for forward-thinking hospitality professionals. Owners, operators, general managers, designers, buyers, sellers, and other industry professionals mingle on the show floor and attend conferences that showcase the latest innovative ideas and new best practices in the hospitality industry.

Winter Fancy Food Show / Summer Fancy Food Show

When Jan. 16-18, 2022 (Winter) / TBD (Summer) | Where: San Francisco, CA (Winter) / New York, NY (Summer)

These are the largest specialty food and beverage trade shows on the West and East Coasts. Thousands of exhibitors showcase their bold and innovative products and services to more than 33,000 industry-only attendees, including media, retail and foodservice buyers, and food industry service providers.

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York 

When: March 6-8, 2022 | Where: New York, NY

Exclusively serving the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry, this event is attended by more than 16,000 visitors and more than 300 exhibitors. Show floor demonstrations include creative trade show displays showcasing food products, technology, and equipment.

International Pizza Expo

When: March 22-24, 2022 | Where: Las Vegas, NV

One of the most significant North American pizza events, this annual expo is geared toward independent and chain pizzeria and Italian restaurant owners, managers, buyers, and decision-makers. Attendees will discover how to up their pizza game through keynote speeches and exhibitors displaying the most recent pizza innovations and best practices.

American Food Innovate Summit

When: March 28-29, 2022 | Where: Chicago, IL

The American Food Innovate Summit helps brands rethink and improve product launches. Attendees will hear speeches and review case studies from leading food scientists, developers, researchers, and marketers on successful and no-so successful industry innovations.

SupplySide East / SupplySide West

When: April 12-13, 2022 (East) / TDB (West) | Where: Secaucus, NJ (East) / Las Vegas, NV (West)

Ingredient buyers and suppliers for dietary supplements, beverages, and personal care and sports nutrition products come together to network and gain insights. More than 100 educational programs offer solutions and innovations to help businesses stay ahead in this increasingly competitive market.

ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) Annual Conference and Expo

When: June 16-18, 2022 | Where: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

June welcomes ISSN’s 19th annual conference. ISSN is a non-profit academic society dedicated to promoting evidence-based sports nutrition and supplementation science and application. Anyone interested in sports science and nutrition is welcome to attend.

American Convention of Meat Processors and Suppliers’ Exhibition

When: July 14-16, 2022 | Where: Des Moines, IA

This annual convention is geared toward operators of small firms in the meat, poultry, and food business. It’s filled with educational sessions and exhibitors highlighting the latest ideas and technology in the meat processing and supplies industry.

The NAFEM (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturing) Show

When: Feb. 1-3, 2023 | Where: Orlando, FL

This event takes place every other year, in odd-numbered years, except the 2021 event was canceled due to COVID-19. So, when 2023 rolls around, it will be four years since the last NAFEM Show. Already one of the most highly anticipated, trending events, the 2023 NAFEM Show could be unmissable, assuming you’re in the foodservice equipment, supplies, and strategies industry.

To discover even more upcoming trade shows and conferences, click here for our trade show search. For trade show booth ideas that will leave your competition in the dust, contact us here or give The Trade Group a call at 800-343-2005.