It takes the right ingredients to make a great meal. The same holds true for food logistics and supply chain shows. If it all goes to plan for you at a food trade show, you can gather up all the right fixings to help you feast on a great 2023. Attending these conferences is a great opportunity for shippers of food, dairy, deli, bakery, and frozen goods to learn about the latest industry developments, network with other professionals, and gain valuable insights into food logistics best practices. So it’s time to offer a tantalizing list of the important trade shows that will be going on around the country this year. We will look at two different groups — the shows that Entourage Freight Solutions are scheduled to attend and then the other notable food logistics and supply chain shows that shippers should know about.

Shows Entourage Freight Solutions is Attending

It would be hard to find anyone more expert at knowing which food trade shows to attend than the folks at Entourage Freight Solutions. Since starting out as a produce company in 2011, EFS has become one of the leading third-party logistics companies in the world with expertise in navigating refrigerated freight. So let’s take a look at the shows the people in the know are going to:

• American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) Conference, Feb. 25-28, 2023, San Diego — The AFFI Conference, which draws thousands of attendees and more than 500 companies, is one of the largest events in the food industry. Shippers, manufacturers, retailers, and other industry professionals are all there. This food trade show is the launching pad for the year. Attendees can plan out and lock down the entire chain of what they need to do for the upcoming year. The average attendee will sch 20-plus private meetings to help lock down details for their entire year. They can also learn from industry experts, see the latest products, and participate in discussions about the industry's most pressing topics. https://affi.org/affi-con/ 
• The Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure, May 2-4, 2003, Orlando, Florida — Southern Exposure, an annual meeting for the produce industry, is having a theme based on a famous sci-fi television show, so you can expect this food trade show to be out of this world. At Southern Exposure, you get a chance to see the best products and services the produce industry has to offer from hundreds of exhibitors. Among the attendees are buyers, agricultural leaders, and product innovators. Shippers have the opportunity to meet with growers and retailers, attend educational sessions, and network. It is a great event to get up to speed on the latest trends in the fresh produce industry. https://seproducecouncil.com/events-networking/southern-exposure/
• Food Shippers of America’s 67th Annual Conference, March 5-7, 2023, Palm Desert, Calif. — The Food Shippers of America (FSA) is the premier association for food and beverage shippers and provides a forum for members to exchange ideas and best practices. FSA also hosts this annual conference, which is a great opportunity for food and beverage shippers to learn about the latest industry developments and network with fellow shippers. There’s also a “Golf Grab and Go Breakfast” and a “Supply Chain Afternoon Tea.” https://www.foodshippers.org/
• North America Seafood Expo, March 12-14, 2023, Boston —  This is North America’s largest seafood trade exposition. With exhibiting suppliers from 50 countries under one roof, this exposition provides North America’s seafood buyers with a one-stop shop to access everything seafood in a face-to-face environment, including sampling and sourcing products. Attendees can also meet with current or new suppliers and network with industry colleagues. A new product showcase is planned, as well as the Seafood Excellence Awards ceremony.  https://www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america/
• The National Restaurant Association Show, May 20-23, 2023, Chicago — The National Restaurant Association Show is the largest gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere. It has more resources, information, and connection opportunities than any other industry event. It’s a great opportunity for shippers to meet restaurant operators, manufacturers, and other industry professionals. They can also learn about the latest trends, garner critical industry insights, find out about new technologies, and attend educational sessions. https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/ 
• International Dairy Deli Bakery Association show, June 4-6, 2023, Anaheim, Calif. — As the leading trade organization for the dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice industry, the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) puts on an annual show specific to those industries. This food trade show is an excellent opportunity for shippers to learn about the latest industry developments, meet with retailers and manufacturers, and network with industry professionals. It allows the companies in these industries who off their brands and what they have to offer. Hundreds of exhibitors are already listed as attending this middle-of-the-year event. https://www.iddba.org/
• International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, Oct. 19-21, 2023, Anaheim, Calif. — This is the premier event for the produce and floral industries. The show, put on every year by the International Fresh Produce Association, provides inspiration with the latest trends and allows you to make lasting connections with everyone in the global produce and floral supply chains. There will be plenty of exhibit booths, including many in which companies will be launching products. There will even be a high-traffic display area, called the Fresh Ideas Showcase, that is open to attendees before, during, and after show hours to highlight your new product or service at the Anaheim Convention Center. https://www.freshproduce.com/events/

Other Notable Shows That Food & Beverage Shippers Should Know About

The world of food logistics and supply chain shows doesn’t just end with the above list. There are plenty of other events throughout the year to consider. Maybe some are at a venue near you or they are on a weekend that suits your schedule.

• GCCA European Cold Chain Conference, March 20-22, 2023, Barcelona Spain — The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) will host its 26th annual conference at the InterContinental Hotel in Barcelona. Over 150 cold chain professionals representing temperature-controlled third-party logistics, warehousing, transportation, technology, equipment, distribution, and construction are expected to attend. There will be educational programming to provide attendees with a better understanding of market trends, industry challenges/opportunities, and business solutions.
• International Foodservice Distributors Association Expo, Sept. 10-13, 2023, Fort Worth, Texas — More than 150 exhibitors are expected to be at this event at the Fort Worth Convention Center. There will be workshop sessions, innovation labs, an executive leadership summit, and the Truck Driver Hall of Fame dinner. https://www.ifdaonline.org/events/distribution-solutions-conference/expo
• Cumulus 2023, Sept. 11-13, 2023, Las Vegas — This food trade show is expected to have 250 world-class speakers and 500 agtech and foodtech startups over the three days at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. There will be industry leaders, innovators, and investors in a showcase that will include technologies creating and supporting the sustainable future of food. https://cumul.us/#subscribe
• GFSI Conference, April 24-27, 2023, Atlanta — Put on by the Global Food Safety Initiative, this show is an industry who’s who that brings together the global food safety community to reaffirm the continuous commitment to addressing the challenges we face today. There will be plenary sessions, speaker presentations, and tech talks at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. 
• Viva Fresh Expo, March 30 through April 1, 2023, Grapevine, Texas — Held at the Gaylord Texan Resort northwest of Dallas, this is the largest fresh produce trade show in the Southwest. It features exhibits from growers, shippers, distributors, packers, commodity boards, and industry suppliers while also bringing together the fresh produce industry. A   golf tournament kicks off the event on the first day. www.vivafreshexpo.com
• Seafood Expo Global, April 25-27, 2023, Barcelona, Spain — Almost 30,000 buyers, suppliers, and other seafood professionals from more than 150 countries are scheduled to be at the world’s largest seafood trade show. The expo will host more than 20 educational sessions that will discuss the most important and timely issues. There will also be chances for attendees to meet face-to-face with suppliers from around the world. www.seafoodexpo.com
• Food Tech Summit & Expo, Sept. 27-28, 2023, Mexico City — The latest developments in food tech will be the focus of the 14th edition of this show to be held at the Citibanamex Center. For logistics, freight, and supply chain professionals in the food and beverage industry in Mexico and Latin America, this is a must-attend event. It features more than 35 free conferences and food innovation workshops along with a large exhibition floor. https://expo.thefoodtech.com/
• Refrigerated Foods Association, Feb. 28-March 1, 2023, Kiawah Island S.C. — The 42nd annual installment of this show will cover current trends in chilled foods, food safety information, and the newest packaging and equipment options.
• ProMat, March 20-23, 2023, Chicago — Over 150 educational supply chain seminars, including deep discussions on food logistics, are scheduled.
• SIAL America, March 28-30, Las Vegas — This event features food and beverage information for companies, importers, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers alike.

EFS Can Show You the Way in Logistics World 

It appears like 2023 will be a busy season for food logistics and supply chain professionals. With all of these food trade shows to attend, you can learn plenty about the industry. It can all be overwhelming but remember you can always turn to experts like Entourage Freight Solutions. With one-stop third-party logistics solutions for foodservice and more, EFS is one of the leaders in the industry. Using a cloud-based platform and increased visibility, the EFS team can provide the best service possible at an affordable rate. To request a quote, visit our website.