The specialty food industry will gather in Las Vegas on January 15-17 for the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show, the largest specialty food B2B trade event west of the Mississippi. Created and operated by the Specialty Food Association (SFA), the Winter Fancy Food Show is a must-attend event for leading buyers, retailers, brokers, distributors, hospitality operators, chefs and other industry professionals who want to see and sample the newest and best specialty food products from domestic and international manufacturers.
Hundreds of specialty food makers and manufacturers exhibit at the Winter Fancy Food Show each year, with the majority returning to exhibit on a regular basis. For exhibitors, the Winter Fancy Food Show proves to be a cost-effective, efficient, and exciting way to grow their business, create brand awareness within the industry, network with industry leaders, and expand their knowledge through the SFA’s exclusive on-site education programs.
For exhibitor David Schmunk, founder of African Dream Foods, the 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show “ran like clockwork, and the SFA team made it incredibly easy to just focus on sharing our flavors and leave the admin up to them. We met some amazing buyers, community members and, overall, had an unforgettable experience.”
As a B2B trade event, the Winter Fancy Food Show is open only to qualified specialty food industry professionals aged 18 and older. Exhibitors appreciate the SFA’s extensive attendee qualification process, as it ensures that everyone who walks into an exhibit booth is a specialty food professional with a legitimate business interest in the event.
Beyond the Show floor, the Winter Fancy Food Show offers exhibitors valuable opportunities to expand their industry knowledge. Newer makers and manufacturers can take advantage of The Basics, a full-day, pre-show workshop featuring founders and principals from iconic specialty food brands who share their experiences and insights on topics such as pricing, selling, freight and logistics, promotions, ecommerce, and more. Maker Space sessions run during Show hours and include offerings for both new and veteran makers and manufacturers.
Reflecting on the education programs at the 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show, Cassandra Faust Gregory of Chef Cassi’s Table noted, “I gained so much knowledge that I am currently implementing! And having access to and making super amazing memories with the incredible hand selected speakers will forever be the highlight of my experience. I can truly say that I left Las Vegas with a wealth of knowledge and my brand will thrive in the best way possible!”
Exhibiting at the Winter Fancy Food Show is an exclusive benefit of SFA Membership. Exhibitors must be product qualified, SFA Members in good standing to participate. Non-members interested in exhibiting still have time to be a part of the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show, as the membership approval and product qualification process can be completed in just a couple of weeks.
Right now, the Specialty Food Association is offering 100 first-time exhibitors the chance to receive FREE access to the Maritz Global Events SWAP® Mobile App lead retrieval service during the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show, a $495 value. To qualify, first time exhibitors must contract for a booth and submit the required deposit by October 31st. More information about this promotion is available here.
In addition to Fancy Food Shows, SFA Member benefits include access to a virtual press office for sharing company news with the media, exclusive access to promote products via the SFA Product Marketplace, and the chance to enter products in the prestigious sofi® Awards program recognizing the best in specialty food and beverage.
Now in its 47th year, the Winter Fancy Food Show took up residence in Las Vegas in 2022 after a one-year hiatus from hosting the Show due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 Show will occupy the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newer and larger West Hall, where exhibitors will enjoy world-class amenities and services in a state-of-the-art facility. Winter Fancy Food Show exhibitors and attendees qualify for special hotel pricing through onPeak, the official travel partner of the Fancy Food Shows. The Vegas Loop and Las Vegas Monorail transit systems offer a convenient way for Winter Fancy Food Show attendees to travel within the Las Vegas Convention Center campus and along the Las Vegas Strip.
For many specialty food makers and manufacturers, there is nothing quite like the Winter Fancy Food Show. “The experience of the 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show, including the location, events, merchandise mix, and vendor assortment was incredible!” said John Arlotta, CEO of Arlotta Food Studio. “It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever attended and I’m so excited to attend future SFA events. Thank you SFA for making it easy for a merchant to be a merchant!”
Winter Fancy Food Show attendee registration for non-exhibitors opens Monday, October 24. For more information about the Specialty Food Association and the Winter Fancy Food Show, visit their website.
