The food and beverage business is a huge industry that includes agriculture, food processing, wholesale and distribution, retail, technology, and even marketing. If you’re in the food and beverage business, here are 10 must-attend conferences and networking opportunities that cover everything from wine, natural products to restaurant technology.

PMA Fresh Summit
Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim,CA
October 17-19, 2014
20,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Fresh Summit is the must-attend event for you and your colleagues. It’s where produce and floral industry leaders from around the world converge to share ideas, breakthroughs and inspiration.”

Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium

Hilton Concord Hotel – Concord, CA
January 14-15, 2015
300 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “This is the national wine industry’s only annual conference on direct marketing and sales — a must-attend event for every level in the company, and the only summit organized by vintners, for vintners.”

RFMA 2015 Annual Conference
San Diego Convention Center – San Diego, CA
February 1-3, 2015

Why they say you should attend: “The RFMA 2015 Annual Conference is your next big chance to network with the largest gathering of restaurant facility professionals and vendors. It’s the one place where you can share insights and learn about the newest products and services needed to succeed. We will have all of the information you need to help you buckle up for a successful 2015!”

Natural Products Expo West
Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim, CA
March 5-8, 2015
67,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Natural Products Expo West continues to be the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, attracting over 67,000 industry professionals and 3,000 exhibits to the Anaheim Convention Center. Rated as one of the top 200 trade shows in the US by Tradeshow Week, Natural Products Expo West continues to help attendees reach their business goals.”

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Javits Center – New York, NY
March 8-10, 2014
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is the only all-encompassing event in New York for the restaurant and foodservice industry, making it THE one-stop source for everything you need to succeed in today’s market.”

New England Food Show
Boston Convention Center – Boston, MA
March 15-17, 2015
14,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “The New England Food Show is the region’s largest event focused on the retail and foodservice markets. NEFS is THE place in New England to get inspired and source wicked good foods, beverages, and equipment ideas you can use to establish, build and grow your business.”

MURTEC: Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference  
Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, NV
March 17-19, 2015
550 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “As the must-attend event to learn about the latest innovations and get up-to-speed on how to leverage new technologies, MURTEC® is lauded as the ‘gold standard’ for restaurant technology insight offering both compelling sessions and top-notch networking opportunities.”

National Restaurant Association Restaurant (NRA) & International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at NRA Show® (IWSB)

McCormick Place – Chicago, IL
May 16-19, 2015
44,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Join your industry and arm yourself for another year with the latest products, services and insights from more then 2,000 exhibitors and hundreds of industry leaders.”

Sweets and Snacks Expo
McCormick Place – Chicago, IL
May 19-21, 2015
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “After the sold out, record-setting show in May of 2014, the Sweets & Snacks Expo proves to once again be the global power-house event for the industry, and the 2015 show is poised for even more exceptional growth! With 16,000 attendees and 650 exhibiting companies in 2014, the Expo offers the best opportunity to buy, shop, learn and discover!”

Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo
Chicago, IL
July 11-14, 2015
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “At the IFT Food Expo, you’ll find the industry’s largest collection of food ingredients, equipment, processing, and packaging suppliers, all under one roof. It’s the only place where the latest global food trends—and the products designed to meet them—are on display.”

Have you been to any of these conferences? Have any others you’d add to the list? Share in the comments.

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