The National Grocers Association and the Specialty Food Association plan to have in-person shows in September. The SFA’s Fancy Food Show is scheduled to be held in New York from Sept 27-29, which was a rescheduling from its original date in June. SFA also hopes to return to its regular schedule of shows in 2022. The NGA show is set for September 19-21 in Las Vegas, and the NGA also plans a virtual show from September 28-30. Neither organization has presented details of the precautions that will be taken at the shows, but more information is expected as the dates of the shows grow closer.
Other trade shows are also planned for this year. These include PLMA’s annual trade show in Chicago from November 14-16; the annual conference of the National Restaurant Association in May in Chicago; and the Groceryshop show in September in Las Vegas.
Over the past year, many shows have been either cancelled, postponed or held virtually by organizations. The industry’s push to return to in-person shows reflects the desire of retailers and suppliers to return to normal business practices after the pandemic. With the development of vaccines and the hope of dwindling numbers of COVID-19 cases, it has made trade groups hopeful that large-scale events can be held safely with precautions.