With 2024 chugging right along, the annual conference and convention season is in full swing in the food and beverage space.
The second half of the year will still bring a barrage of gatherings scattered across the U.S., where thousands of people will assemble to discuss new products, technologies and other changes impacting their industries.
Food Dive is highlighting 9 of the top events in the latter half of 2024, and even one in the beginning of the next year.
Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC
June 23-25, 2024
New York, NY
Closely related to the winter Las Vegas Fancy Food Show, the Big Apple hosts the largest trade-only specialty food event in the U.S. This will be the 68th anniversary of the Summer Fancy Food Show. It will feature thousands of makers, buyers, brokers, distributors and other industry professionals in the food and beverage space.
IFT FIRST
July 14-17, 2024
Chicago, IL
The largest B2B food innovation exposition brings together food professionals to debate and discuss the latest science and innovations, and to explore future ingredients and technologies. The attendees include customers with purchasing power in categories such as R&D and food safety.
American Association of Meat Processors Exposition
Aug 1-3, 2024
Omaha, NE
AAMP is one of North America’s most preferred meat processors and suppliers’ trade shows. It is geared towards U.S., Canadian, and foreign operators of small meat, poultry & food business operators. Attending this event will get you up to speed with the latest meat processing and packaging advances. Both members and non-members from the meat, poultry & food businesses around the globe come together under one roof, looking for various ideas, supplies, and services.
Newtopia Now
Aug 6-8, 2024
Savannah, GA
Last year, the Natural Products Expo East had its last dance in Philadelphia. The event, which stood as a pillar for the natural, organic and CPG sectors on the East Coast, is being replaced by Newtopia Now. Along with its new city of Savannah, the exhibit will offer curated matchmaking within a diverse community of buyers, brands and partners. The organizers say the event is designed to include a wider scope of brands, from startups to household names.
American Food and Beverage Show
September 16-18, 2024
Miami, FL
The Sunshine State hosts this year’s Food and Beverage Show to showcase the latest products, innovations and technologies shaping the future landscape of the industry. Spanning over three days, the event is only open to those in the space, making it the only exclusively B2B event.
World Dairy Expo
October 1-4, 2024
Madison, WI
The largest dairy-focused trade show in the world, this year’s Expo will bring together dairy farmers to talk about technology and innovations. From discussions about animal health supplies, feeding products to forage handling, attendees will include leading researchers, technical experts, and national sales representatives. Last year, the show attracted 65,000 visitors and 775 exhibitors and the numbers are expected to be even higher in 2024.
SommCon
October 5 – 7, 2024
San Diego, CA
SommCon fuses beverage industry professionals with each other through education sessions and mentorship and networking opportunities. Co-located with the Beverage Expo, SommCon connects buyers, importers, and distributors with domestic and international brands in wine, beer, spirits, and the emerging low and no alcohol category. The space is changing fast and this event has informative sessions like workshops and masterclasses and sessions on corporate responsibility and regulatory issues and more.
Supply Side West
October 28 – 31, 2024
Las Vegas, NV
SupplySide West and Food Ingredients North America are two of the most influential events for the health and nutrition industry. The four day event brings together both buyers and suppliers and focuses on the science and strategy essential for the research and development of innovative food ingredients and products. Past attendees include Chobani, Kellogg, and Coca Cola. Co-located with SupplySide West, Food Ingredients International aims to offer CPG food & beverage manufacturers access to ingredient suppliers and services. Both conferences have exhibit halls, education sessions and more.
AFFI CON
Feb 22-25, 2025
Dallas, TX
A premier business event for frozen food and beverage makers, industry suppliers and logistical partners, AFFI-CON hosts over 500 companies and 1,500+ attendees, allowing them to connect on current and future business ventures within the space. Events include learning opportunities from keynote speakers, time set aside for one-on-one meetings and seminars on food safety, consumer trust, business cycle changes and more.