What to expect at CPG EXPO

What to Expect at the CPG EXPO

The CPG EXPO (Professional Trade Show) is more than just a trade show—it's a hub for connection within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Whether you're a founder, a distributor, a retailer, or a service provider, the CPG EXPO is designed to bring together industry professionals from across the CPG ecosystem to showcase new innovations, build relationships, and drive business growth.

The exhibitor hall will feature 10 by 10 booths, with the majority of exhibitors being brands and founders, alongside a selection of service providers catering to the industry. It is anticipated that these exhibitors will actively engage with attendees by providing samples of their products and sharing valuable information about their services. This setup offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to discover new products, learn about industry innovations, and interact directly with the creators and service professionals.

CPG EXPO: Industry-Only Event – Not Open to the Public

The CPG EXPO is a trade show exclusively for industry professionals—meaning it’s not open to the public or intended for consumer shopping. This event serves as a dynamic platform for business-to-business (B2B) interactions, where manufacturers, distributors, retailers, service providers, and other professionals within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector can connect, network, and discuss industry trends. While exhibitors are welcome to sell their products directly to other businesses, this is not the primary purpose of the event. Instead, most exhibitors focus on distributing samples, sharing product information, and engaging in business discussions.

If you're seeking an expo geared toward consumer shopping, we recommend visiting our Gluten-Free Expo, which takes place the day after the CPG EXPO. That event is specifically designed for the public and allows consumers to shop for gluten-free products.

Important Note on Selling Items at the Show:

If you're an exhibitor planning to sell products intended for consumption at the CPG trade show, please be aware that there is a 30% commission fee assessed by the BMO Center. This includes items such as food and beverages that are sold and consumed on-site.

What is a “Consumed at the Show” Item?

Consumed at the Show” items include any single-serving food or drink sold for immediate consumption during the event. These items typically include:

  • Single-serving snacks: Examples include a warm hot dog, a single donut in a paper bag, or a small bag of popcorn.
  • Beverages: This includes a full-sized 6 oz beer, soft drinks, bottled water, or any other drinks commonly sold at concession stands.
  • Other consumable items: Any food or drink item intended for sale and immediate consumption at the show, excluding product samples, falls under this category.

     

Here are examples of items that do not fall under the category and are not subject to commission:

  • Closed bags of chips: Such as individual-sized packets of potato chips or snack mixes.
  • Ground coffee: Packaged coffee grounds intended for brewing at home.
  • Cereal boxes: Breakfast cereals packaged in boxes for consumption at home.
  • 4 or 6 packs of drinks: Multipacks of canned sodas, bottled waters, or other beverages intended for retail sale and consumption outside of immediate consumption at the show.

These items are typically found in grocery aisles and are packaged for retail sale rather than immediate consumption as meals or snacks at the trade show or event venue. 

Please plan accordingly and be aware of these regulations if you are considering selling consumable products at the CPG EXPO. 

Here’s what you can expect when attending or exhibiting at our event:

1. A Centralized Stage Inside the Exhibition Hall

The stage for presentations and keynotes will be inside the exhibition hall, allowing attendees to easily transition between exploring exhibitor booths and attending sessions. This setup ensures that the floor and educational programming are closely integrated, maximizing both learning and networking opportunities throughout the day. Each session will be 45 minutes long, followed by a 15-minute break to give attendees time to visit exhibitors, network with peers, and take a moment to recharge.

The structure of the event allows for fluid movement between booths and sessions—so while one group may be at a booth engaging with a brand, others may be in the audience, gaining valuable insights from our speakers. Our goal is for attendees to have flexibility in their schedule while still making the most out of the opportunities to learn and engage.

2. Built-in Opportunities to Explore Exhibitors and Network

Networking is at the heart of the CPG EXPO, and our event is designed to make it easy for all attendees to explore the full range of exhibitors, who include founders, brands, service providers, and more. Attendees can expect a full day of discovery, walking the exhibition floor, meeting potential partners, and learning about the latest in the CPG world.

We’ve specifically structured the event to allow for breaks between sessions, giving attendees time to visit exhibitor booths and speak with industry professionals. Break times between educational presentations encourage attendees to explore the floor and engage with innovative new products, network with colleagues, and find potential opportunities to collaborate.

3. A Diverse Range of Industry Professionals and Attendees

The CPG EXPO is for everyone in the CPG space. While you might think of retailers as the primary audience, the reality is that we cater to a much broader spectrum of professionals. Our audience includes not only retailers, but also distributors, liquor stores, gas bars, brokers, accelerator programs, banks, software companies, co-packers, packaging suppliers, logistics companies, marketing agencies, food scientists, and more.

In fact, a significant portion of our exhibitors are founders and brand owners—so you’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with the people behind innovative products and explore potential partnerships that could transform your business. At the same time, we encourage founders to take time to walk the floor, engage with other brands, and attend educational sessions, while their teams can focus on connecting with buyers and other key industry players.

4. Exhibitor Preparation: Bring Your Best Materials

As an exhibitor, it's essential to be prepared for both one-on-one meetings and larger group interactions. We highly encourage all exhibitors to bring samples of their products and a sell sheet that includes key product details. This may include information such as minimum order quantities, shelf life, MSRP, and any other pertinent details that help buyers make quick, informed decisions. The more transparent and organized your materials, the better positioned you’ll be to capture interest from both retailers and distributors.

While your booth is a space to showcase your products and services, connections made outside the booth are just as important. Take advantage of the breaks to interact with potential customers, network with industry leaders, and engage in conversations that could lead to valuable opportunities.

5. Educational Sessions that Empower Your Business

At the CPG EXPO, we’re not just showcasing products—we’re showcasing industry knowledge. Throughout the day, our sessions and panel discussions will focus on the most pressing topics for businesses in the CPG space. These will include insights into industry trends, consumer behavior, packaging innovations, supply chain management, and more.

Our speakers are industry experts, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who bring real-world experience to each session. The educational programming is designed to help you optimize your business, whether you're just starting out or looking for strategies to scale. You’ll leave the event with actionable insights to apply directly to your own operations.

6. A Focus on Building Real Relationships

The CPG EXPO is not just a showcase of products—it’s about creating lasting business relationships. Whether you're a founder seeking distributors, a retailer searching for new brands, or a service provider looking to connect with potential clients, our event is centered around meaningful connections. The people you meet here could become your next business partner, customer, or collaborator.

We’ve designed the event to ensure that these relationships are built around shared value, industry knowledge, and a true commitment to growing the CPG ecosystem. Through the combination of networking spaces, educational sessions, and exhibitor engagement, the CPG EXPO is an experience where connections are made, collaborations are sparked, and businesses thrive.