10 Grocery Trade Shows To Explore Industry Trends In 2024
Grocery trade shows are a great place to network—for any professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, learn about the latest tech, and make connections, these are the best grocery trade shows to attend.
Best Grocery Trade Shows 2024 Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best grocery trade shows I think are worth attending in 2024:
- Grocery & Specialty Food West - Vancouver, Canada (April 2024)
- Food & Drink Expo - Birmingham, UK (April-May 2024)
- Sweets & Snacks Expo - Indianapolis, IN (May 2024)
- SIAL Canada - Montreal, Canada (May 2024)
- Naturally Good Expo - Sydney, Australia (June 2024)
- Summer Fancy Food Show - New York, NY (June 2024)
- Cocina Sabrosa Expo - Irving, TX (August 2024)
- America's Food & Beverage Show - Miami, FL (September 2024)
- Groceryshop - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)
- Grocery Innovations Canada - Ontario, Canada (October 2024)
Find more details about each conference below.
Best Grocery Trade Shows Of 2024
1. Grocery & Specialty Food West - Vancouver, Canada (April 2024)
- Dates: April 22-23, 2024
- Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada
- Pricing: Starts at $869
- Website: Grocery & Specialty Food West
- Social Media: Instagram
Overview:
This conference is a hub for Canadian grocery stakeholders, featuring a mix of local and international products, sustainability solutions, and retail technology innovations.
Why You Should Attend:
If you want to expand your network in the Canadian market and explore innovative products, this is the place to be for its engaging workshops and keynotes from industry leaders. The focus on sustainable practices could also provide valuable insights for making your operations more eco-friendly.
2. Food & Drink Expo - Birmingham, UK (April-May 2024)
- Dates: April 19-May 1, 2024
- Location: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK
- Pricing: Free
- Website: Food & Drink Expo
- Social Media: X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This event showcases the latest in food and beverage trends, with a strong emphasis on innovation, quality ingredients, and packaging. Expect a diverse range of exhibitors and thought-provoking sessions from industry experts.
Why You Should Attend:
It's a golden opportunity for retail managers looking to diversify their product offerings and learn about global food trends. The extensive range of topics covered makes it a great learning experience for anyone in the food retail space.
3. Sweets & Snacks Expo - Indianapolis, IN (May 2024)
- Dates: May 14-16, 2024
- Location: In-person in Indianapolis, IN
- Pricing: Starts at $60
- Website: Sweets & Snacks Expo
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This expo is a paradise for those in the confectionery and snack sectors, offering a peek into the future of snacking with thousands of new product launches, innovative packaging solutions, and merchandising ideas.
Why You Should Attend:
This expo is not just about discovering the latest in sweets and snacks; it's a deep dive into consumer snacking behaviors and the innovative marketing strategies driving this sector. If your strategy involves capturing the impulse buy or capitalizing on the 'treat yourself' trend, the insights from this expo could be game-changing for your product lineup.
4. SIAL Canada - Montreal, Canada (May 2024)
- Dates: May 15-17, 2024
- Location: In-person in Montreal, Canada
- Pricing: Starts at $175 CAD + Tx
- Website: SIAL Canada
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
SIAL Canada stands out for its international scope, covering everything from agri-food production to distribution. Its Innovation Awards highlight the most innovative products of the year.
Why You Should Attend:
If global trends and innovations in food production and distribution interest you, this is an unmissable event. The diversity of products and ideas from around the world could provide the inspiration you need for your next big project.
5. Naturally Good Expo - Sydney, Australia (June 2024)
- Dates: June 3-4, 2024
- Location: ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Naturally Good Expo
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview:
Focused on natural, organic, and healthy products, this expo is the leading event for retailers in the health and wellness space in Australia. It features a wide range of products from food and drinks to beauty and personal care.
Why You Should Attend:
This expo goes beyond showcasing organic and natural products by providing a holistic view of the health and wellness landscape, including consumer wellness trends, regulatory changes, and sustainability initiatives.
6. Summer Fancy Food Show - New York, NY (June 2024)
- Dates: June 23-25, 2024
- Location: Javits Center, New York, NY
- Pricing: Starts at $99
- Website: Summer Fancy Food Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This show is one of the largest specialty food industry events in North America, with a vast array of innovative food and beverage products from across the globe, making it a fantastic place to discover new flavors and culinary ideas.
Why You Should Attend:
This show offers a unique blend of gourmet and artisanal food discovery, coupled with practical learning on navigating the complexities of the specialty food market. It's particularly useful for managers aiming to differentiate their offerings with high-quality, niche products that tell a story, providing a clear edge in a competitive market.
7. Cocina Sabrosa Expo - Irving, TX (August 2024)
- Dates: August 21-22, 2024
- Location: Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Cocina Sabrosa Expo
- Social Media: Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview:
This expo is dedicated to Latin American cuisine, showcasing a range of products, cooking techniques, and flavors from Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Why You Should Attend:
This event is a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Latin American cuisine, offering not just product discovery but also cultural insights and culinary inspiration. For those looking to authentically integrate Latin flavors and products into their offerings, the hands-on cooking demonstrations and cultural presentations can offer inspiration.
8. America's Food & Beverage Show - Miami, FL (September 2024)
- Dates: September 16-18, 2024
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, FL
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: America's Food & Beverage Show
- Social Media: Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This show is a comprehensive event covering all aspects of the food and beverage industry, from manufacturing to retail. It's known for its business-to-business focus, with plenty of opportunities for networking and deal-making.
Why You Should Attend:
For managers eager to navigate the complexities of the American market, this show is invaluable. It covers trade dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and consumer trends unique to the Americas. Its structured networking opportunities also facilitate valuable business connections.
9. Groceryshop - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)
- Dates: October 7-9, 2024
- Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Groceryshop
- Social Media: Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This event is at the forefront of retail innovation, focusing on the convergence of grocery, technology, and e-commerce and featuring cutting-edge solutions for marketing, data analytics, and customer engagement.
Why You Should Attend:
Groceryshop is crucial for managers wanting to lead in tech adoption, allowing them to discover technologies that streamline operations and enhance customer engagement. The event covers the latest in AI, data analytics, and e-commerce, offering insights from industry leaders and disruptive startups.
10. Grocery Innovations Canada - Ontario, Canada (October 2024)
- Dates: October 29-30, 2024
- Location: Toronto Congress Centre, Ontario, Canada
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Grocery Innovations Canada
Overview:
This is the premier event for the Canadian grocery sector, offering a comprehensive look at the latest products, technologies, and market trends. It's an excellent opportunity to network with industry peers and discover new business opportunities.
Why You Should Attend:
This event provides an in-depth look at the Canadian grocery scene and covers emerging consumer trends, regulatory changes, and new product innovations, offering a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the Canadian grocery landscape.
Other Retail Conferences & Events
Depending on your retail niche, you might be looking for events that cater more specifically to your selling strategy. Here are some additional recommendations I've compiled.
- Retail management conferences with broad coverage of retail industry topics
- A curated list of the best food trade shows
- Retail merchandising conferences for learning new promotion, display, and discount strategies
Summary
Attending these trade shows is a smart move for anyone in the grocery game. You'll get the scoop on the latest trends, meet some key distributors and wholesalers, and snag some fresh ideas. Every food expo on the list has its vibe, from deep dives into local market quirks to the newest in automation and tech for the retail industry.
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