Top 6 Food & Beverage Trade Shows in 2024

February 14, 2024 | By The Fres-co Team

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Explore our updated list of top food & beverage trade shows and find the perfect event to elevate your products. Engage with industry leaders and influencers, forge valuable connections, and gain invaluable insights into emerging trends and technologies. From cutting-edge equipment to revolutionary ingredients, these expos offer a firsthand glimpse at the tools and strategies that are driving the industry forward.

1. California League of Food Processors (CLFP)

February 13 & 14, 2024 – Sacramento, CA | Booth # 1002
Liquid Food and Beverage Market Trade Show

Held annually in February, the California League of Food Processors (CLFP) is California’s largest food processing expo. The event serves as a melting pot for thousands of food processors and allied industry members to come together to establish connections with new vendors, network with industry experts, and learn about the latest products and services available to the food processing industry.

In addition to the expansive trade show floor, there are multiple educational sessions that focus on current industry issues, and that feature speakers who are experts in the field. The event is hosted by the California League of Food Producers, an organization which has served as a voice and advocate for California’s food producing industry since 1905.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at CLFP:

Retort and Aseptic Packaging – Machines and Materials
Reduced environmental impact of flexible packaging versus rigid packaging
Our #10 Retort Pouches
FSU800RTC: Continuous Motion VFFS Machine with Ultrasonic Sealing
FSU1000A: Automatic Vertical Form, Fill and Seal Low-Acid Aseptic Packaging Machine

2. National Coffee Association Convention (NCA)

March 7 – 9, 2024 – Nashville, TN | Tabletop # 6
Coffee Market Trade Show

The annual NCA Convention brings together approximately 800 key leaders and decision-makers from across the coffee sector to delve deeper into critical industry issues, share new ideas and insights, and connect with the coffee community. The event is led by the National Coffee Association, an organization which has been at the forefront of industry advancement for over 100 years.

Despite the event’s relatively smaller scale, it packs a punch with its community for networking— over 80% of convention registrants often carry C-suite titles, like chief executive officer, vice president, and director. The NCA Convention focuses on real issues, collaborative workshops, and growing an awareness of the coffee sector.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at NCA:

NEXTPAK™
Digital Printing , especially for Seasonal, Regional, Exclusive Limited Time Offerings (LTOs)
The latest trends in Sustainable, Recycle-Ready Coffee Packaging
Integration of Sustainable, Recycle-Ready Materials with Machines
Barrel Pouch and Fres Flow™ for Cold Brew

3. Speciality Coffee Expo (SCA)

April 12 – 14, 2024 – Chicago | Booth # 1502
Coffee Market Trade Show

The Specialty Coffee Expo is touted as the coffee professional’s one-stop shop for everything they need to succeed in the coffee industry—and more. With over 10,000 total visitors, including international attendees, the event is ideal for experiencing firsthand the latest coffee innovations and for connecting with like-minded industry professionals. The exhibit hall features hundreds of exhibitors, ranging from coffee roasters and equipment manufacturers to baristas and suppliers, as well as informational lectures from industry-respected experts.

In addition to the exhibits, attendees can also gather inspiration from the event’s coffee design awards and best new product competition. Exhibiting companies pre-submit entries and are awarded trophies during the course of the show. The work is on display, providing a unique space conducive to learning the stories behind the designs.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at SCA:

NEXTPAK™
Digital Printing , especially for Seasonal, Regional, Exclusive Limited Time Offerings (LTOs)
The latest trends in Sustainable, Recycle-Ready Coffee Packaging
Integration of Sustainable, Recycle-Ready Materials with Machines
Barrel Pouch and Fres Flow™ for Cold Brew

4. Institute of Food Technologists Expo (IFT FIRST)

July 15 – 17, 2024 – Chicago, IL | Booth # S4032
Food Ingredient Market Trade Show

The IFT FIRST event—now an acronym for Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology—brings together innovators, researchers, and academics in an effort to help solve food-centric challenges and generate future innovation. On average, IFT FIRST attracts more than 18,000 people and nearly 2,000 expo booths from the most comprehensive collection of food ingredient, equipment, processing, technology, and packaging solution providers.

In addition to the exhibitors, the event is grounded by its Science FIRST and Business FIRST programs, which provide live panels, keynotes, and fireside discussions to share the latest research and insights on how the industry can future-proof the food system, as well as provide helpful tips and strategies for startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and large companies in the food industry.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at IFT FIRST:

5. Philadelphia IFT Suppliers Expo

September, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA | Booth # TBD
Food Ingredient Market Trade Show

The Philadelphia IFT Suppliers Expo is a gathering of innovators, researchers, and academics with the shared goal of addressing food-centric challenges and fostering future innovation. This event typically draws a substantial number of attendees and expo booths, featuring a comprehensive array of food ingredient, equipment, processing, technology, and packaging solution providers.

In addition to the exhibitors, the event is anchored by its Educational Seminar, which offers live panels, keynotes, and discussions. These sessions share the latest research and insights on how the industry can future-proof the food system. They also provide valuable tips and strategies for startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and large companies in the food industry.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at IFT Suppliers Expo:

6. PACK EXPO International (PMMI)

November 3 – 6, 2024 – Chicago, IL | Booth # 4182
The Packaging Expo For All Industries

Organized by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), PACK EXPO International provides access to the latest innovations and technologies in packaging and processing equipment and materials. Designed to showcase and offer everything needed to compete in a changing marketplace, PACK EXPO is the most efficient and effective way to discover packaging and processing solutions from thousands of exhibitors across over 40 vertical markets.

In addition to the extensive exhibit floor, PACK EXPO International offers a variety of educational sessions and networking opportunities, including presentations by industry experts and interactive workshops. This allows attendees to learn about industry trends and best practices, network with peers and potential partners, and gain valuable perspective on industry trends—all under one roof.

Ask Us About These Fres-co Features at PACK EXPO International:

Machinery for packaging coffee, dry food, and liquid food and beverage, including semi-automatic and fully-automatic heat sealers. Materials including single-use liquid pouches, multi-serving Fres-Flow™ and bag-in-box dispensing pouches for edible oils, fruit beverages, milk products, wine, etc. FIBC, Powder Bags, foil liners, wide range of printing capabilities examples.

Connect With Fres-co at the Packaging Trade Shows

Our team will be exhibiting and live-demonstrating our flexible packaging solutions at many of the annual shows and packaging conventions mentioned above. These innovations are designed to address some of the most difficult issues facing companies that produce coffee, food, beverage, and food and feed ingredients. Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming expo schedule.

Don’t miss these opportunities to connect with packaging experts and see the future of flexible packaging:

California League of Food Processors (CLFP): Sacramento, Feb. 13 & 14 | Booth # 1002
- See CLFP Floor Plan
National Coffee Association Convention (NCA): Nashville, Mar. 7 – 9 | Tabletop 6
- See NCA Floor Plan
Speciality Coffee Expo (SCA): Chicago, April 12 – 14| Booth # 1502
- See SCA Floor Plan
Institute of Food Technologists Expo (IFT FIRST): Chicago, July 15 – 17 | Booth # S4032
- See IFT First Floor Plan
Philadelphia IFT Suppliers Expo: Philadelphia, September 2024
PACK EXPO International: Chicago, Nov. 3 – 6 | Booth # 4182
- See PACK EXPO Floor Plan

Connect with us on LinkedIn for exclusive trade show updates, event registration promos, and to chat about tips for attending!

For more than 40 years, Fres-co System USA, Inc. has manufactured high-performance flexible packaging systems and invented dozens of innovative breakthroughs including degassing valves, modified atmosphere technologies, and reclosure systems.

Topics: Airtight Packaging, Aseptic Packager, Beverage Packaging, Coffee Packaging, Flexible Packaging, food, Pack Expo, Trade Shows

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