Trade Shows We Attended in 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, we are looking back on the year with gratitude and pride for what we have accomplished during this transformative year. We attended ten trade shows this year all across the U.S. which is a big jump from previous years especially following the sharp decline in events during the height of the pandemic. To make it easy for you to check out our recaps, we’ve gathered them all in one place.

Benefits of Attending Trade Shows

Trade shows are a great way for individuals and businesses to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing market. From networking with potential customers and partners to learning about the latest industry trends, trade shows can be a huge asset to your business. So if you’re looking to grow your business or in the early stages of starting a business, trade shows are an excellent addition to your marketing plan.

Connect with a diverse range of packaging suppliers

One of the key advantages of attending trade shows is that you can meet a lot of different suppliers all in one place. This is a great way to make connections with potential partners, talk about your specific needs, and explore potential collaborations. Meeting people in person is always better than digital communication because it allows you to build relationships on a more personal level.

See the latest innovations

Trade shows are hubs for unveiling the latest and greatest innovations and discovering emerging trends in various industries. When you attend, you get to see cutting-edge technologies, materials, and design concepts up close. This is a great way to see how these innovations can be used in your own business and to get ideas for how to improve your own business strategies.

Grow your network and make connections with industry pros

Trade shows are a great way to connect with a diverse range of professionals across industries. Talking with people from different backgrounds and specialties can open your mind to new perspectives, ideas, and potential collaborations. Building a strong network within your industry can lead to unexpected opportunities and insights.

Learn valuable industry insights and knowledge

Trade shows are a great place to learn from industry experts. They often have seminars, workshops, and presentations on the latest market trends, regulatory changes, and best practices. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

See hands-on demonstrations or live product samples

Trade shows are also an invaluable way to experience new products and innovations in real life.
Many exhibitors provide hands-on demonstrations or offer live product samples, giving you the chance to evaluate the quality, functionality, and appeal of different industry solutions. Unlike online research, this firsthand experience is invaluable in making informed decisions about incorporating new products into your business.

No matter what industry you are in, attending trade shows is a must. It’s a great way to stay ahead of the curve, forge new industry relationships, and make informed decisions about your business. Here’s a list of the shows we attended in 2023.

1. Winter Fancy Foods

The Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Winter Fancy Foods was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan 15-17. We had lots of great discussions and learned about the newest products and trends in the specialty food industry.

Who Should Attend the Winter Fancy Food Show

The Winter Fancy Food Show is a popular trade show event for the specialty food industry. It provides a platform for food makers to showcase their latest products and for buyers to discover potential bestsellers. The event also offers networking, sampling, and education opportunities to support business growth. With thousands of industry professionals gathered, attendees can connect with leading buyers, distributors, and retailers, establish new business relationships, and participate in educational programs. The best attendees for the show are:

• Specialty food makers who want to reach a wider audience for their products.
• Buyers who are looking for new and innovative products to sell in their stores.
• Industry professionals who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the specialty food industry.

The show is a great opportunity for food makers to connect with potential buyers, and for buyers to discover new products. It is also a great place for industry professionals to network and learn about the latest trends. For more info, check out our full recap of the Winter Fancy Food Show.

2. LUXE PACK LA

LUXE PACK LA took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center Feb 16-17. We showcased our sustainable packaging solutions to luxury beauty brands.

Who Should Attend the LUXE PACK Trade Shows

LUXE PACK is a global trade show platform that hosts five events worldwide dedicated to luxury packaging innovations. These shows are for creative packaging companies to showcase their products to the international brand community with a heavy focus on luxury cosmetics and personal care products. The best attendees for this show are:

• Creative packaging companies
• Luxury brands
• Cosmetics and personal care companies
• Sustainability professionals

If you provide a product or service that falls into one of these categories, then LUXE PACK is the show for you! To learn more, see our full recap of LUXE PACK LA.

3. Natural Products Expo West

Natural Products Expo West is an annual trade show for natural and organic food brands. It was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from March 7-11.

Who Should Attend the Natural Products Expo

The Natural Products Expo is the leading trade show for the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. It is the largest collection of emerging and pioneering brands, and a great opportunity to connect with other professionals in the industry, learn about new products and trends, and network with potential partners and customers.

The best attendees for Natural Products Expo West would be those interested in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry, such as:

• Retailers and distributors of natural and organic products
• Manufacturers of natural and organic products
• Investors in the natural and organic products industry
• Journalists and bloggers covering the natural and organic products industry

The show was a great opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn about new products and emerging trends in the natural products industry. Read the full recap of our time at Natural Products Expo West.

4. Summer Fancy Foods

The SFA’s 67th Summer Fancy Food Show was held June 25-27 at the Javits Center in New York. We had a great time meeting with industry leaders and learning about the latest packaging needs and emerging consumer trends. We also made some great new business connections!

Who Should Attend the Summer Fancy Food Show

The Summer Fancy Food Show is a must-attend event for anyone in the specialty food industry. It is the largest trade-only specialty food event in the United States and attracts thousands of makers, buyers, brokers, distributors, and other industry professionals. The show features the newest and best in specialty food and beverage. It is a great opportunity to discover new products, stay ahead of the latest trends, and build your business.

Here is a list of people who should attend the show:

• Food and beverage makers
• Buyers for grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service businesses
• Brokers and distributors
• Journalists and bloggers
• Food industry educators and researchers

If you are involved in the specialty food industry, you should attend the Summer Fancy Food Show. For more info, see our full recap of Summer Fancy Foods here.

5. Pack Expo Las Vegas

Pack Expo took place from September 11-13 in Las Vegas. This show featured packaging, processing, automation, and supply chain solutions for virtually every vertical industry. It was well-attended by companies looking for innovative and efficient packaging solutions.

Who Should Attend the PackExpo Trade Show

PACK EXPO Las Vegas is a trade show for packaging and processing solutions. It brought together suppliers and end users from 40+ vertical industries, where exhibitors launched products, showcased innovations, and problem-solved with customers. PACK EXPO is a biennial West Coast trade show that focuses on packaging and processing technologies. The 2024 show will be held in Chicago from November 3-6. Attendees explored thousands of packaging and processing technologies and discovered game-changing solutions. Nearly all top consumer packaging goods (CPG) companies were represented.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas should be attended by:

• Packaging and processing professionals
• Suppliers of packaging and processing technologies
• Decision-makers who are looking for new and innovative solutions
• Anyone interested in learning about the latest trends in packaging and processing

PACK EXPO Las Vegas is the largest packaging and processing trade show in the world, and it is the perfect place to learn about the latest innovations, network with industry professionals, and find solutions to your packaging and processing challenges. Read our full recap of PACK EXPO Las Vegas here.

6. Natural Products Expo East

Informa Markets’ Natural Products Expo East was held September 20-23 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. This was the final show on the East Coast showcasing the newest natural and organic products in foods, beverages, beauty, lifestyle, supplements, and ingredients.
Informa Markets’ New Hope Network has made the decision to merge Expo East with the larger Natural Products Expo West show that happens annually in Anaheim, CA. To learn more about our time at this show, check out our full recap of Expo East here.

Expo East will be replaced with a new show that will focus on innovation within the Natural Product industry called Newtopia Now.

7. Society of Cosmetic Chemists Suppliers’ Day

The California Society of Cosmetic Chemists held its Suppliers Day event Oct 25-26 in Long Beach, California. It was a great opportunity to network and discuss packaging needs within the beauty and personal care industry.

Who Should Attend the Cosmetic Chemists Suppliers’ Day Event

The Society of Cosmetic Chemists’ California Chapter Suppliers’ Day is a biennial West Coast trade show for the personal care industry. The event features hundreds of exhibitors, including raw material suppliers, distributors, testing laboratories, regulatory experts, packaging suppliers, equipment suppliers, and contract manufacturers.

CASCC Suppliers’ Day should be attended by:

• Research & Development chemists
• Formulators
• Marketing professionals
• Quality assurance professionals
• Brand owners
• Sourcing managers

The event will provide an opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry, learn about new innovative ingredients and solutions, and build strategic partnerships. Read our full recap of CASCC Suppliers’ Day here.

8. SupplySide West

SupplySide West is a trade show for the dietary supplements, food and beverage, personal care, and animal nutrition industries. It was held Oct 25-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Who Should Attend SupplySide International Trade Show

SupplySide West is a premier gathering of health & nutrition professionals. Held in conjunction with Food ingredients North America (FiNA), it brings together buyers and suppliers from throughout the industry to discuss the science and strategy around the development of finished products. The event is largely attended by a variety of professionals, including:

• Research & Development
• Product Development Specialists
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control Managers
• Purchasing Managers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Marketing Professionals
• Processing Innovation Specialists
• Health & Nutrition Industry Professionals
• Food & Beverage Ingredient Suppliers
• Supplement Ingredient Suppliers
• Contract Manufacturers
• Flavor & Fragrance Suppliers
• Equipment & Machinery Companies
• Packaging & Labeling Suppliers
• Lab Testing & Analytical Firms
• Wholesalers, Distributors & Brokers
• Legal/ Regulatory

The event is a unique opportunity for professionals from all sectors of the health, nutrition, and ingredients industries to network, learn, and do business. For more info, check out our full recap of SupplySide West here.

9. & 10. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Regional Supplier’s Night Events

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a community of food scientists and technologists who work together to advance the science of food. IFT is committed to supporting the changing needs of its members and the food industry, while promoting continuous improvement and innovation. Many IFT Regional Sections hold Supplier’s events as well as IFT’s Annual Event and Food Expo where food professionals can discover the latest ingredients and new concepts. In 2023 we attended the NCIFT and SCIFT Suppliers’ Night Events in California. These Suppliers’ Night events are a trade show for the food service, dairy, meat, seafood, bakery, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

Southern California Institute of Food Technologists (SCIFT) Suppliers’ Night

The Southern California IFT Suppliers` Night Expo took place on March 9. The show attracted a large number of qualified buyers and was held near the Natural Products Expo West which was happening simultaneously. The show’s primary goal is to help exhibitors succeed by providing them with access to a large and qualified audience of professionals in a variety of industries.

Northern California Institute of Food Technologists (NCIFT) Suppliers’ Night

The Northern California IFT Suppliers’ Night Expo took place on April 25, with nearly 250 exhibitors and a large audience of high-quality potential customers. The symposium team did an excellent job of planning and executing an informative and engaging event. Attendees were able to learn about the latest trends and technologies in the food industry, and exhibitors were able to connect with potential customers and partners. The event was a great opportunity for everyone involved, and we look forward to attending again next year.

Who Should Attend IFT Events

The following people should attend IFT Suppliers’ Night Events:

• Food scientists and technologists
• Food industry professionals
• Buyers from the food service, dairy, meat, seafood, bakery, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries
• Anyone interested in learning about the latest trends in food science and technology
• Anyone interested in networking with food professionals and industry suppliers

Trade Shows We’re Attending in 2024

The following is a growing list of trade shows we’ve confirmed attending in 2024.

In the US

• SFA’s Winter Fancy Foods

• Natural Products Expo West

• SupplySide West

• IFT Regional Suppliers’ Night Events in the following locations:

  • Southern California
  • Northern California
  • Portland, OR
  • Cascadia, WA
  • Rocky Mountains

In the UK

• Packaging Innovations
• London Packaging Week

We hope to see you at one of the shows in 2024!

Want more? Check out our video recaps for each show too!