The Best Conferences & Trade Shows for CPG Companies

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies attend trade shows to meet buyers, pitch products, and see what’s working across retail channels. These events bring key decision-makers into one place, making it easier to hold meetings, build connections, and plan what comes next.

Time and travel budgets aren’t endless, so it makes sense to focus on the events that offer clear returns. Below is a breakdown of the most valuable conferences for teams in the CPG space.

Retail buyers, distributors, and private label partners all show up at these events. The focus is on shelf placement, vendor meetings, and staying aligned with what retailers want from CPG brands.

Every March, Natural Products Expo West takes over the Anaheim Convention Center as one of the largest trade shows for natural and organic CPG brands. It attracts national and independent retailers, distributors, brokers, and investors. Many brands use the show to launch new products, strengthen relationships, and connect across the retail supply chain.

Held annually in Las Vegas, Groceryshop brings together retailers, brands, and tech providers across the grocery and CPG space. It’s known for forward-looking sessions and large-scale networking. Many teams use it to meet with retail buyers, explore emerging tools, and learn from larger players in the space.

PLMA’s Trade Show in Chicago is focused on private label. Retailers come looking for new suppliers, while manufacturers pitch store-branded solutions across food, beverage, personal care, and household categories. For CPG companies offering contract manufacturing or white label services, it’s one of the most targeted events of the year.

Unlike large expos, ECRM events are built around pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings between brands and buyers. Programs are split by category and take place throughout the year. These events are less about booths and more about closing deals. CPG teams looking for focused time with retail buyers often make ECRM part of their sales calendar.

This Chicago-based show focuses on retail strategy, tech, and store experience, but it also draws a strong buyer audience. For CPG brands testing omnichannel strategies or trying to strengthen retail partnerships, the sessions and networking can be highly relevant.

UNFI, one of the largest distributors in natural and organic, runs invite-only shows for retail partners and suppliers. These events are designed to help brands gain exposure with independent and regional grocers. Shelf placement, product feedback, and buyer meetings all happen on-site.

Similar to UNFI’s events, the KeHE Summer Show connects KeHE’s retail partners with suppliers. Attendees include independent stores, regional chains, and buyers looking for innovation in food, beverage, and wellness. For brands already in the KeHE network or aiming to be, this event is key.

Hosted in Chicago, RetailX brings together IRCE (Internet Retailer Conference & Expo), GlobalShop, and RFID Journal LIVE! Retail. The event blends e-commerce operations, retail design, and tech integration. CPG teams attend to better align their DTC strategies with store and supply chain experiences.

This event focuses on recurring revenue models. It’s tailored to subscription-first brands, but also attracts CPG companies testing product bundles, replenishment programs, or membership-based sales. Topics include retention, billing platforms, and customer lifecycle management.

CX North America is run by Forrester and takes a research-driven look at customer experience. While not CPG-specific, it’s a fit for teams building direct relationships through e-commerce or retail loyalty. Topics range from personalization to cross-channel engagement.

This group of events is focused on logistics, shipping, automation, and warehouse operations, key areas for CPG brands scaling across retail and e-commerce. Many attendees come from supply chain, operations, and fulfillment teams.

Manifest takes place each year in Las Vegas and focuses on supply chain, logistics, and fulfillment across industries. CPG companies attend to meet with 3PL providers, explore automation tools, and stay updated on warehousing and delivery trends.

This event centers on last-mile delivery, cold chain logistics, and e-commerce fulfillment. It draws retailers, carriers, and tech platforms. CPG brands that ship directly to consumers or rely on time-sensitive deliveries often attend to find new shipping partners and improve delivery performance.

NRF’s annual Big Show in New York covers a wide range of retail topics. It includes dedicated tracks and exhibitors focused on fulfillment, inventory systems, and retail supply chain strategy. Many CPG teams attend to keep pace with how retailers are evolving their operations.

AFFI-CON is built around business meetings between frozen food companies and supply chain partners. It’s especially relevant for CPG brands in frozen categories who need to connect with buyers, brokers, and cold storage providers.

These events bring together founders, investors, and operators working to grow early and mid-stage CPG brands. The focus is on capital, retail expansion, and long-term strategy.

This show highlights emerging CPG brands in wellness, beauty, and food. Investors, media, and retail buyers attend to scout new products. It’s a strong fit for brands preparing for retail expansion or funding rounds.

Held in Mexico City, this expo is one of Latin America’s largest events for food and beverage innovation. It draws packaging suppliers, co-manufacturers, and retailers. CPG companies expanding into international markets often attend to explore new partnerships.

While known for electronics, CES has expanded to include smart home, wellness tech, and food innovation. CPG brands launching connected products or exploring tech partnerships can use this event to reach a broader network.

Created as the follow-up to Expo East, Newtopia Now focuses on purpose-driven CPG brands in food, wellness, and lifestyle. The show emphasizes smaller, focused meetings between brands and retail buyers, rather than high-traffic expo booths.

These events attract senior leaders across CPG, retail, and distribution. Sessions focus on strategy, organizational planning, and how brands are adapting across sales channels and operations.

This global event gathers executives from leading CPG brands, retailers, and service providers. It focuses on topics like sustainability, global sourcing, and retail collaboration. Attendance is limited to decision-makers, making it a strong fit for long-term planning and industry partnerships.

Held annually in New York, this summit targets sales, marketing, and commercial leads at mid-to-large CPG companies. Topics include shopper insights, retail media, and evolving trade strategies.

This event blends brand presentations and small group discussions. Attendees include marketers and brand managers from established and emerging CPG companies. It’s useful for those looking to share challenges and learn directly from peers.

Hosted in Chicago, Analytics Unite focuses on data strategy across retail and CPG. Topics cover demand forecasting, supply planning, and using analytics to support business decisions. It’s especially relevant for ops, planning, and IT teams.

These events focus on labeling, compliance, risk, and evolving regulations affecting the consumer goods industry. Attendees often include legal teams, regulatory specialists, and senior leadership.

Hosted by the Consumer Brands Association, this forum brings together legal and regulatory professionals from across the packaged goods industry. Topics include food labeling, marketing claims, packaging standards, and compliance updates from federal agencies.

Looking to grow your CPG brand through smarter logistics and fulfillment? B&C Logistics helps brands stay ready for every show, launch, and channel. Contact us today to learn more!