Top 10 Food and Beverage Trade Shows Every CPG Brand Should Attend in 2025
The difference between brands that succeed and fail
For CPG food and beverage brands, trade shows remain vital hubs for spotting trends, building relationships, and creating engaging social content.
But with dozens of industry events competing for your time and budget, which ones deliver the best return on investment?
As social media marketing specialists for food and beverage brands, we've curated the definitive list of must-attend industry events for 2025 (It’s kind of our thing - so trust us when we say these are the events you need to focus on).
These shows don't just offer networking opportunities – they're content goldmines for your social channels.
The world's largest natural, organic, and healthy products event has become a mandatory stop for CPG brands. Anaheim's massive exhibition space showcases emerging trends, with dedicated areas for new brands and breakthrough innovations. The perfect venue for capturing behind-the-scenes content of your brand alongside industry pioneers.
Summer Fancy Food Show (NASFT)
The specialty food industry's premier event transforms New York City into a playground for premium CPG brands. With over 180,000 products on display, you'll capture content that resonates with foodie audiences while connecting with buyers from major retailers.
The beverage industry's leading conference combines high-level strategy with practical insights. This Santa Monica event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, making it essential for beverage brands seeking both knowledge and networking. Perfect for creating thought leadership content and announcing brand innovations.
Las Vegas hosts this crucial event focusing on the science behind CPG products. While less consumer-facing than other shows, it's vital for brands wanting to tell authentic stories about ingredients and innovation, especially in the functional beverage and better-for-you categories.
Focused exclusively on natural, organic, sustainable, and healthy packaged food brands, this bi-annual event offers intimate networking opportunities and targeted learning sessions. The pitch slam competition provides particularly engaging content for social channels.
The East Coast counterpart to Expo West offers many of the same benefits in a more intimate setting. Philadelphia's venue creates unique opportunities for brands to connect with East Coast retailers and create regionally targeted content.
This San Francisco summit focuses on technology and innovation in CPG. From alternative proteins to sustainable packaging, it's where brands spot emerging trends years before they hit mainstream. Essential for brands positioning themselves as category innovators.
This Chicago-based expo is paradise for confectionery and snack brands. Beyond the obvious visual appeal for social content, the event's focus on consumer behavior and retail innovation makes it invaluable for brands looking to stay ahead of snacking trends.
As plant-based products continue their explosive growth, this focused event delivers insights into one of food industry's most dynamic segments. The show's innovation showcase provides perfect material for thought leadership content.
Las Vegas hosts this newer counterpart to the summer show, offering West Coast brands additional opportunities to connect with buyers and create engaging content. The more intimate setting allows for deeper conversations with potential partners and customers.
Making the Most of Trade Show Season
While attending every show might strain resources, strategic selection can maximize your brand's exposure and content creation opportunities. Consider these factors when planning:
Timing relative to your product launch calendar
Geographic proximity to key markets
Alignment with target audience interests
Content creation opportunities
Competitor presence
Remember, trade shows aren't just about the events themselves – they're opportunities to create months of engaging social content. Plan your content strategy before, during, and after each show to maximize return on investment.
Need help crafting your trade show social media strategy? Let's talk about making your brand stand out in a crowded feed.
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