The 2024 “Can’t-Miss” List of Food Trade Shows for Logistics, Freight & Supply Chain Professionals

Keeping on top of industry trends and technology and making the right connections are keys for any successful business, big or small.

For logistics, freight, and supply chain professionals, it’s tough to beat the networking and learning opportunities provided by industry trade shows. These showcases offer impactful opportunities to make new business connections while delving into areas such as current challenges and innovations with like-minded people from across industries.

The prospect of meeting potential customers and partners—while expanding your brand—is essential. Finding the right trade show for your needs is the key.  

In 2024, there are many food trade shows that will be worth the price of admission, and these annual events are now must-sees for anyone in the industry. Tive is leading the way in making certain that perishable foods stay fresh during the entire supply chain process, and it is extremely interested in what is on tap at these events. See you there!.

Top 10 Trade Perishable Shows Tive Will Attend in 2024

Globally, there is no shortage of food trade show options this year for professionals in logistics, freight, and supply chain. These shows present the chance to meet and greet other industry insiders—while also providing opportunities to have fun and relax with events such as golf, pickleball, dinner, receptions, live music, and more.

Following are the 10 perishables-related events Tive is looking forward to attending this year, in chronological order:

Global Organic Produce Expo

January 22 - 24 in Hollywood, FL. GOPEX 2024 is returning to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for three days with the theme of “Where Fresh Produce and Conscious Consumerism Meet.” GOPEX is the only globally-driven show for organic produce—and features keynote presentations, educational sessions, and plenty of networking opportunities. Subjects covered will include “Produce Trends and the Conscious Consumer” and “What Do Retailers Really Want from Their Produce Partners?” More information: https://events.farmjournal.com/gopex2024

Fruit Logistica

February 7 - 9 in Berlin, Germany. This annual trade show features events such as the Fresh Produce Forum, The Tech Stage, Logistics Hub, and Future Lab. Expert panels will discuss the current state of the fresh produce industry—and will talk about innovative solutions in technology and machinery, including analyzing subjects such as global challenges, making food last longer, food supply chain automation, and geopolitical tensions. Groundbreaking innovations will be at the forefront as 20 tech startups will present their ideas on how the industry will be shaped in the future. The three-day international trade fair features more than 3,100 exhibitors and 77,000 visitors from 86 countries. Almost 90% of last year’s attendees plan on returning to Fruit Logistica in 2024. More information: https://fruitlogistica.com/

SEPC Southern Exposure

March 7 - 9 in Tampa, FL. The Southeast Produce Council’s most popular trade show features the return of Innovative Stations—where one team member from a business can highlight a new product, product line, or service. “Produce: The Unseen Heroes” is this year’s theme: this three-day affair will salute the blue-collar workers who dig in on a daily basis to make produce possible. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand to showcase the best products and services from the industry. A must-see: keynote speaker Kurt Warner, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback with an incredible rags to riches story. More information: https://seproducecouncil.com/events-networking/southern-exposure/

Seafood Expo North America

March 10 - 12 in Boston, MA. You’ll never be bored at North America’s largest seafood expo, at which thousands of visitors flock to Boston annually in search of new products and ideas. Last year, 83% of expo visitors were involved in or influenced purchasing decisions for their companies, and 75% of attendees seeking new products/innovations said they achieved their objectives. The expo, held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, is great for making industry connections while mixing in some fun. Don’t miss the oyster shucking contest or culinary demonstrations, plus this year there are 30 educational sessions to choose from. Check out: https://seafoodexpo.com/north-america

Viva Fresh

April 11 - 13 in Houston, TX. To say the Viva Fresh Expo has developed a large following is an understatement. What started as a small regional showcase in 2015 is now the largest fresh produce show in the Southwest—and continues to grow rapidly. It isn’t stationary, either. On the heels of past expos in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, this year’s event is being held at the Marriott Marquis in Houston. This expo is a can’t-miss for produce growers in the Southwest looking to make connections and keep on top of industry trends, new products, and innovations. More information: www.vivafreshexpo.com

Seafood Expo Global

April 23 - 25 in Barcelona, Spain. No other venue brings as many seafood suppliers, producers, and buyers together from around the world. This year, the world’s largest seafood trade show—held at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via—will feature more than 20 educational sessions and host thousands of buyers from more than 150 countries. With access to suppliers and producers from 87 countries, attendees can select from nearly every type of seafood product. This expo offers a chance to get face to face with buyers, suppliers, and producers worldwide. According to statistics from the 2023 expo, 89% of attendees are returning this year, 76% were looking to or fulfilled orders in 2023, and 87% of attendees were involved or made purchasing decisions. More information: www.seafoodexpo.com

West Coast Produce Expo

May 30 - June 1 in Palm Desert, CA. It has been said that deals get done on the golf course. That may be true, but at the West Coast Produce Summit, deals can also be made on the pickleball court, over yoga and pilates, or while taking a farm tour. There is a reason this annual fresh produce summit is regarded as the premiere networking event: there is a lot to do, and its 3-to-1 buyer-to-seller ratio is tops in the produce industry. Held at the HW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, the WCPE features suppliers, buyers, and distributors from across the region. Key fact: 90% of buyers who attend WCPE recommend or make final purchasing decisions. More information: www.westcoastproduceexpo.com

IFPA Foodservice Conference

July 25 - 26 in Monterey, CA. The International Fresh Produce Association is THE gathering place for foodservice industry professionals to discuss the latest industry trends and innovations. Growers, shippers, processors, transportation and logistics companies, tech providers, and packaging firms—experts and buyers in every aspect of foodservice—will come together at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa. More than 1,800 people attend annually, and 75% of them are either buyers or influence buyers for their companies. More information: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/the-foodservice-conference/

Food Tech Summit & Expo

Oct. 2 - 3 in Mexico City, Mexico. With more than 400 exhibitors and 20,000+ attendees from 16 countries, the Expo truly is the summit when it comes to the food and beverage industry in Mexico and Latin America. Over 93% of attendees are involved in their company’s purchases, making it a can’t-miss stop for anyone in the industry. This 15^th edition is being held at the Citibanamex Center, where it will host the largest gathering of exhibitions of ingredients, additives, solutions, processing, and package solution companies in Mexico and Latin America. Attendees will find the latest developments in food tech and discover the latest trends and opportunities. International speakers, free events, conferences, and workshops are all part of it. More information: https://expo.thefoodtech.com

IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show

October 17 - 19 in Atlanta, GA. Small wonder why Georgia is on the mind of buyers, growers, importers, and solution providers in the global produce and flower market: Atlanta is this year’s host city for the International Fresh Produce Association’s annual Global Produce & Floral Show, held at the World Congress Center. The show brings together the leading suppliers, buyers, and distributors from around the world. Call it a Who’s Who event where important connections can be made with major players in the global produce and floral supply chains.  More information: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/the-global-produce-and-floral-show

Other 2024 Industry Events on the Radar of Food & Beverage Shippers

Following are other 2024 perishable events that offer a great opportunity to learn about the latest food and beverage logistics industry developments:

• Refrigerated Foods Association: The 43rd annual exhibition will be held from March 3 - 5 in Fort McDowell, AZ, and will cover current trends in chilled foods, food safety information, and the newest packaging and equipment options.
• Food Shippers of America: “Adapt to Deliver Driving Resilience through Talent & Technology” is the overarching theme as food and beverage industry professionals convene March 3 - 5 in Orlando, FL.
• European Cold Chain Conference: The 27th event will be held April 10 - 12 at the Marriott Brussels Grand Place Hotel in Brussels, Belgium—with over 200 cold chain professionals and executives in attendance to discuss market trends and industry opportunities.
• SIAL America: This event—held in Las Vegas, NV, from March 19 - 21—features food and beverage information for companies, importers, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers.
• GFSI Conference: This year’s theme is “Food Safety: Meeting the Needs of our Evolving World,” and the conference will focus on how to deliver food in a safe manner around the globe. It will take place in Singapore, April 8 - 11.
• IFDA: The Learning Exchanges program is hosting this event on June 24 - 25 in New Orleans, LA. The program is an intimate, peer-to-peer forum for foodservice distribution professionals to discuss effective solutions and tactics.
• NFRA Convention: This Washington, D.C. event will be held October 5 - 8 at National Harbor. It features 1:1 business meetings for retailers, manufacturers, sales agents, logistics providers, and suppliers.
• Cool Logistics Global Conference: The 16th edition of the show—scheduled for September. 18 - 19 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands—will feature discussions about the cold chain and logistics for perishable foods.

Tive is Looking Forward to a Pivotal Year of Trade Shows

The Tive calendar is chock full of perishables trade shows that deal with logistics, freight, and supply chain visibility and management. Tive’s temperature tracking and technology—which provides end-to-end visibility solutions across cold chain shipments—is a perfect fit for the companies who attend these shows and face the challenges involved with shipping perishable foods. Contact Tive to see how its logistics experts can help provide peace of mind with your deliveries.

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