With the new year just three months away, the annual conference and convention season is largely over in the food and beverage space — with the exception of a few events, including SupplySide West later this month.
But the new year will quickly bring with it 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 11 of the top events to start planning for in 2024.
SupplySide West
Oct. 23-27, 2023
Las Vegas, NV
Attended by executives in R&D, supply chain management, food and beverage ingredient suppliers and packaging and label suppliers, SupplySide West touts itself as a “premier gathering” of health & nutrition professionals that connects both buyers and suppliers in the space.
Events will revolve around the science and strategy of product development.
Jan. 21-23, 2024
Las Vegas, NV
Though Las Vegas may be known for its rich history in glam and gambling, the city is also the home for specialty food makers. The Winter Fancy Food Show, where manufacturers showcase their newest and best products, brings together thousands of industry professionals and features educational forums.
Dairy Forum 2024
Jan 21-24, 2024
Phoenix, AZ
Hosted by the International Dairy Foods Association, this forum brings together more than 1,000 leaders from across the industry. This year, industry leaders have a lengthy list of planned topics to discuss, including innovative technologies, trends in personal health and nutrition, sustainability, foreign and domestic markets and policy and regulation.
Natural Products Expo West
March 12-16, 2024
Anaheim, CA
A hub of natural, healthy and organic buyers in the food and beverage space, this convention highlights new products and brands while providing a venue for visitors to stay up to date with innovative trends and technology.
Expo West is popular with retailers, distributors, health practitioners and food service professionals.
Future Food-Tech
March 21-22, 2024
San Francisco, CA
Future Food-Tech features product tastings, start-up pitches, live cooking demos and executives from large CPG food companies. Aimed at creating a healthier food system for both people and the planet, the event includes interactive breakout sessions on topics such as food and nutritional insecurity and leveraging food as medicine solutions.
Food Safety Summit
May 6-9, 2024
Rosemont, IL
While the agenda for the 2024 event hasn’t been released yet, this year’s Food Safety Summit sheds some light on what to expect. The conference had workshops, certification courses, keynote speakers, an exhibit hall and a town hall Q&A where 2,700 people discussed the latest advancements and challenges in ensuring food safety.
Sweets and Snacks Expo
May 14-16, 2024
Indianapolis, IN
The Sweets and Snacks Expo, North America’s largest global confectionary and snack event, features big-name CPG companies and smaller businesses displaying many of their new or signature chocolates, gummies, pretzels and chips. After previously being held in Chicago, the conference, which is attended by more than 15,000 people, will take place in Indianapolis.
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
July 14-17, 2024
Chicago, IL
The largest B2B food innovation exposition hosts food professionals who debate and discuss science and new innovations, as well as explore ingredients and technologies for the future. Attendees include customers with buying power in categories including R&D and food safety.
Newtopia Now
Aug 6-8, 2024
Savannah, GA
This 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 a new city, the exhibit will offer curated matchmaking within a diverse community of buyers, brands and partners. The organizers say it’s designed to include a wider scope of brands, from startups to household names.
Beverage Forum in Chicago
Dates unknown
Chicago, IL
The Windy City will likely be the gathering place once again for attendees from the soft drink, water, energy drink and alcohol spaces where they will discuss the status of the beverage industry and changes that are taking place. The two-day event typically features keynote speeches from key individuals in the industry.
