Do you wish to be up to date with the latest beverage industry trends? In that case, attending expos and trade shows is the right option for you. There are many excellent beverage trade shows. Professionals from this niche market also attend expos from other industries like events related to the supply chain or packaging. Just like other sectors, the food and beverage industry has changed significantly in the past decades. In order to stay competitive, businesses need to be in touch with the trends and adapt to the market’s demand. In this article, we’ll share more about the popular beverage trade shows and what are the benefits of attending or exhibiting at such events. Make sure to also check our posts on wholesale trade shows and restaurant trade shows.
Key takeaway: There are dozens of beverage trade shows in the US. Most of them are focused on specific categories of drinks like coffee, tea, or wine. Some expos gather visitors from the broad restaurant and beverage industry. Attending beverage trade shows gives professionals the chance to network and see the trends in the sector.
Popular Beverage Trade Shows
The Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference
This beverage trade show is strictly B2B as it’s not open to the public. This means the attendee numbers are not as high as with other drink and food expos. The last edition of the event gathered more than 650 exhibitors and over 7,000 attendees. However, since the attendees are only business owners and representatives of companies in the sector, this event is preferred by many decision-makers and C-level managers. Since it’s closed to the public, there are more networking opportunities, chances of finding new partners, or ways to check popular trends like CBD drinks.
Specialty Coffee Expo
This event is considered to be the one-stop-shop expo for businesses in the coffee industry. From high-quality coffee products to innovative technology, it is a unique type of marketplace where coffee enthusiasts and professionals can see the latest trends in the sector. The expo is organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), one of the leading organizations in the coffee industry.
BevNET Live Summer and Winter
These two events are organized by BevNET, a leading food and beverage-oriented media company. The summer edition usually takes place in New York while the winter edition is in Santa Monica, California. During the days of these events, representatives of startups or smaller companies have the chance to meet professionals from large beverage brands. The events combine educational parts in the form of presentations and networking with one-on-one meetings between businesses. The New Beverage Showdown is a popular competition for emerging beverage brands.
World Tea Expo
Even though it’s not as popular in the US as in other parts of the world, tea is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide. The last edition of this event gathered more than 12,000 attendees under one roof in Las Vegas. With exhibitors from all around the world, professionals have the opportunity to see the latest trends in the tea industry. From tea cocktail trends to popular tea and food pairings for brunch menus, you’ll find everything from the tea world at this expo.
Bar and Restaurant Expo
With more than 13,000 attendees, it is one of the largest annual events in the sector. As such, it gives attendees the opportunity to observe the latest bar and restaurant industry trends. The Bar and Restaurant Expo is divided into different themes so that professionals can easily find exhibitors or other experts from their respective fields.
Tales of the Cocktail
This beverage trade show has a unique history. Since 2002, it has been a must-attend event for many experts in the bar industry. It started as a walking tour of New Orleans’s historic cocktail bars but has turned into so much more – a leading event for cocktails and mixed drinks. From bartenders to distillers, the trade fair gathers many bar and spirits professionals under one roof.
WSWA Access LIVE
This beverage trade show was formerly known as the WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America) Annual Convention & Exposition. It is a major event in the wholesale wine and spirits industry. During the days of this expo, attendees can find reliable beverage suppliers and examine the latest wine trends. Access LIVE is also a great place to find solution suppliers like marketing agencies, software companies specializing in the bar and food sector, or logistics companies.
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Benefits of Attending Beverage Trade Shows
A major reason to attend expos in the food and beverage industry is to meet other professionals in the field. The networking opportunities provided by these events are unparalleled. Various companies use the opportunity to exhibit their latest products or services at beverage trade shows. Thus, it gives visitors access to trend-setters in the industry.
It’s important to keep in mind that not only companies in the food and beverage sector exhibit at these expos. Instead, they are visited by marketing agencies, importers, wholesalers, and restaurant operators. This wide range of attendees makes it possible for professionals to find new partners that can help their businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beverage Trade Shows
Whether you wish to increase the revenue of your brewery business or you’re a wholesaler looking for automation solutions for your company, BlueCart and BinWise can be the right tools for success. Our solutions have helped thousands of businesses. We also share useful information on various topics in the food and beverage industry. Check out the answers to some common questions regarding beverage trade shows.
What Are Some Popular Drink Trade Shows Outside of the US?
ProWein is one of the most famous wine fairs worldwide. It gathers over 5,000 exhibitors from all around the world in the German city of Düsseldorf. The Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France is another example of a famous event in the wine industry. Other popular beverage trade shows and fairs include the London Wine Fair, the Vinitaly, and the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.
What Businesses Attend Beverage Trade Shows?
Expos that focus on drinks, food, bars, and the restaurant industry are attended by a variety of professionals. Here are some of the businesses that attend such events.
- Restaurant managers and operators;
- Wholesale liquor and wine distributors;
- Spirits, hard seltzer, and wine manufacturers;
- Soft drink and seltzer producers;
- Coffee importers, and other businesses in the coffee industry;
- Tea suppliers and distributors;
- Food safety and packaging companies;
- Machinery and equipment companies;
- Advertising and marketing agencies;
How to Prepare for a Trade Show?
The most important thing you need to do before attending or exhibiting at an expo is to set the right objectives. You need to set goals that are smart (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). After that, you need to think about the ways to achieve them. Do you wish to find suppliers from certain industries? Or perhaps you plan to use the event as a B2B distributor marketing channel? These objectives will require a different approach to the event. Here are some universal things to consider when planning your attendance or exhibition at a trade show.
- Prepare an A-team that will represent your products and services exceptionally;
- Speed up releases of new products and services in order to showcase them during the event;
- Make all necessary arrangements – flights, accommodation, booth design;
- Prepare extensive marketing materials and branded merchandise;