9 Food Trade Shows To Explore Industry Trends In 2024
Food trade shows are a great place to network, stay ahead of the curve, and pick up new tactics to take customers through all stages of the marketing and sales funnel. Here's my list of some of the best food trade shows to attend this year, with key details about each event so you can plan to attend.
Best Food Trade Shows 2024 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best food trade shows I think are worth attending in 2024:
- Great Food Expo - Multiple Dates and Locations
- Sweets & Snacks Expo - Indianapolis, IN (May 2024)
- Foodservice Australia - Sydney, Australia (May 2024)
- Summer Fancy Food Show - New York, NY (June 2024)
- Fine Food Australia - Melbourne, Australia (September 2024)
- Speciality & Fine Food Fair - London, UK (September 2024)
- Americas Food and Beverage Show - Miami, FL (September 2024)
- World Dairy Expo - Madison, WI (October 2024)
- Sustainable Foods Summit - San Francisco, CA (January 2025)
Find more details about each conference below.
Best Food Trade Shows Of 2024
1. Great Food Expo - Multiple Dates and Locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Starts at $5
- Website: Great Food Expo
Great Food Expo Dates and Locations:
| Locations | Dates |
| Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Rosemont, Illinois | October 26-27, 2024 |
| New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center | Edison, New Jersey | November 9-10, 2024 |
Overview:
This traveling expo showcases various gourmet foods, beverages, and cooking gadgets. It features cooking demonstrations, tastings, and workshops by renowned chefs and culinary experts.
Why You Should Attend:
In the Great Food Expo, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with these culinary experts and explore a wide range of cooking gadgets and solutions tailored to enhancing culinary experiences. It's also a great opportunity to gain firsthand experience with the latest culinary products and find new distributors and products to refresh your retail offerings.
2. Sweets & Snacks Expo - Indianapolis, IN (May 2024)
- Dates: May 14 - 16, 2024
- Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
- Pricing: Starts at $140
- Website: Sweets & Snacks Expo
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
As the leading trade show for confectionery and snack professionals, the Sweets & Snacks Expo unveils the latest innovations in sweets and snacks, offering attendees a comprehensive view of new product developments and market trends.
Why You Should Attend:
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is an essential event for discovering new products and gaining insights into what drives consumer snack preferences, offering a strategic edge in product selection and marketing.
3. Foodservice Australia - Sydney, Australia (May 2024)
- Dates: May 19 - 21, 2024
- Location: ICC, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
- Pricing: Free (Visitors must be over 16 and work in a food or hospitality business.)
- Website: Foodservice Australia
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
Foodservice Australia is an essential conference for those involved in the food and hospitality sector, offering a comprehensive look at the latest in food trends, catering technology, and bakery equipment.
The annual event features talks from renowned figures like Neil Perry, an Australian Chef & Businessman, George Calombaris, a Greek Australian chef, restaurateur, and television personality, and Kirsten Tibbles, founder of Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School, providing valuable insights into the industry's direction.
Why You Should Attend:
Foodservice Australia stands out for its focus on direct engagement with exhibitors ready to present new products and forge business relationships, making it a vital resource for staying competitive in the food service industry and discovering innovative solutions in the market landscape.
4. Summer Fancy Food Show - New York, NY (June 2024)
- Dates: June 23 - 25, 2024
- Location: Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York
- Pricing:
- Members: Starts at $149
- Non-members: Starts at 199
- Website: Summer Fancy Food Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The largest specialty food industry event in North America, this show features an extensive array of global foods, including organic, natural, and specialty products worldwide.
Why You Should Attend:
The Summer Fancy Food Show is an essential venue for discovering unique ingredients and artisanal goods that cater to a growing demand for high-quality and differentiated food products, with a focus on health and innovation. This show is a must for anyone looking to differentiate their retail offerings with unique and high-quality items.
5. Fine Food Australia - Melbourne, Australia (September 2024)
- Dates: September 2-5, 2024
- Location: MCEC, Melbourne, Australia
- Pricing: Free
- Website: Fine Food Australia
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Overview:
Australia’s premier food trade show offers an extensive view of the food industry landscape, from innovative retail solutions to food service advancements. Keynote speakers include Adam Theobald Ordermentum, whose expertise bridges the gap between technology and entrepreneurship.
Why You Should Attend:
Fine Food Australia is a one-stop shop for anyone interested in the Australian market, providing insights into the latest trends and tastes in one of the world's most dynamic food scenes. It includes hands-on cooking demonstrations, culinary competitions, and seminars by leading food industry experts, providing a deep dive into the latest trends.
6. Speciality & Fine Food Fair - London, UK (September 2024)
- Dates: September 10 - 11, 2024
- Location: Olympia London
- Pricing: Free
- Website: Speciality & Fine Food Fair
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This UK event showcases artisan food and drinks that serves as a vital platform for discovering new trends in artisanal food, with workshops and presentations that explore the nuances of craft and quality in food production.
Why You Should Attend:
It's an ideal venue for discovering unique products and emerging trends in the artisan food sector, providing new ideas for product sourcing and retail innovation that could distinguish your food business in a crowded market. The fair also tends to spotlight emerging trends before they hit mainstream markets, offering you a competitive advantage.
7. Americas Food and Beverage Show - Miami, FL (September 2024)
- Dates: September 16 - 18, 2024
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, FL
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: Americas Food & Beverage Show
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
The Americas Food and Beverage Show is a major food and beverage trade show that caters to industry professionals looking to explore global market trends, innovations, and products.
Why You Should Attend:
The Americas Food and Beverage Show covers a wide range of topics from import/export regulations to emerging culinary technologies, and provides a unique platform for networking with international suppliers and buyers, which is increasingly crucial in a globalized market.
8. World Dairy Expo - Madison, WI (October 2024)
- Dates: October 1 - 4, 2024
- Location: Alliant Energy Center
- Pricing:
- One-day event: $15
- Full event: $40
- Website: World Dairy Expo
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview:
This expo is a key event for dairy industry professionals, showcasing the latest in dairy production technology, dairy cattle, and dairy management practices. It includes seminars on sustainable dairy farming and new dairy technologies.
Why You Should Attend:
World Dairy Expo is vital for businesses aiming to keep their dairy offerings innovative and consumer-friendly. It attracts dairy producers, companies, and enthusiasts interested in the newest innovations and market trends that shape the dairy sector.
9. Sustainable Foods Summit - San Francisco, CA (January 2025)
- Dates: January 22 - 23, 2025
- Location: The City Club of San Francisco, California, USA
- Pricing: Starts at $699
- Website: Sustainable Foods Summit
Overview:
This summit addresses the critical aspects of sustainability within the food industry, covering topics such as ethical sourcing, biodiversity, and waste reduction.
Why You Should Attend:
The critical aspects to be discussed are increasingly influencing consumer buying decisions. By attending, you can gain insights into integrating these practices into your business strategy, not just to stay relevant but to lead in a market that values ethical and sustainable business models.
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 grocery trade shows
- Retail merchandising conferences for learning new promotion, display, and discount strategies
Join For More Insights
Attending these food trade shows can be incredibly beneficial. They offer show floors for unique opportunities to network, stay updated on industry trends, and see new products and innovations firsthand. If you're serious about staying ahead in the food industry, marking your calendar for these events is a smart move.
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