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Planning your retail and CPG growth strategy means knowing where the buyers will be. Trade shows are still one of the best places to get in front of retailers, distributors, investors and other founders who understand the grind of scaling a consumer brand. If you’re mapping out your 2026 calendar, this guide rounds up the key food and beverage, beauty, wellness, private label and retail shows worth tracking.
Use the filters below to jump to the categories that fit your brand. Each section includes dates, locations and links so you can plan ahead, budget travel, secure booth space, and set real growth goals for the year.
Food & Beverage Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 11–13, 2026 |
San Diego, CA |
Specialty food, gourmet, snacks, niche CPG |
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|
Feb 1–3, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Grocery & independent retailer buyers |
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Mar 3–6, 2026 |
Anaheim, CA |
Natural, organic, wellness, beauty, clean products |
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Mar 15–17, 2026 |
Boston, MA |
Seafood brands, foodservice, large retail buyers |
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Mar 24–25, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Beverage, mixers, foodservice distribution |
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May 19–21, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Snacks, candy, packaged foods |
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Jun 29–Jul 1, 2026 |
New York, NY |
Specialty food, sauces, snacks, beverages |
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Sep 14–16, 2026 |
Miami, FL |
Domestic & international food buyers |
Retail & General CPG
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 11–13, 2026 |
New York, NY |
Major retail buyers and insight into mass-market trends. |
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Sep 23–24, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Sourcing, private label, and manufacturing partners. |
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May 19–21, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Partnerships, licensing, and co-branding opportunities. |
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Year-round 2026 |
Virtual + In-person |
Fast, targeted 1:1 buyer meetings across categories. |
Beauty & Wellness Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 27–29, 2026 |
Miami, FL |
Expanding beauty show with east-coast retail reach. |
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Mar 3–6, 2026 |
Anaheim, CA |
Strong for wellness, natural beauty, supplements. |
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Apr 18–20, 2026 |
Rosemont, IL |
Hair, nails, and salon-retail focused audience. |
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May 30–Jun 1, 2026 |
Orlando, FL |
Large beauty-retail event with national buyers. |
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Jun 27–29, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Key expo for salon, spa, and esthetics buyers. |
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July 13–15, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Top beauty retail and distribution opportunities. |
Private Label Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sep 23–24, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Large marketplace for white-label and turnkey product manufacturers across categories. |
|
|
Nov 15–17, 2026 |
Chicago, IL |
The leading U.S. private-label event. Retailers scout new store-brand suppliers. |
Outdoor, Sporting Goods & Active Lifestyle Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 7–9, 2026 |
Orlando, FL |
Beach, surf, swim, and coastal lifestyle buyers. |
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Jan 20–23, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Major outdoor, tactical, and sporting goods retailers. |
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Jan 2026 (TBA) |
Salt Lake City, UT |
Winter outdoor gear, apparel, and adventure retailers. |
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Sept 16–18, 2026 |
Orlando, FL |
Swim, surf, resort, beach lifestyle wholesale buyers. |
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Aug 19–21, 2026 |
Minneapolis, MN |
The largest U.S. outdoor and adventure retail show. |
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Dec 2026 (TBA) |
Austin, TX |
Leading run specialty and athleisure retail show. |
Housewares & Home Products Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Feb 2026 (TBA) |
New York, NY |
Key for kitchen, décor, tabletop, and lifestyle retail buyers. |
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Mar 7–10, 2026 |
Chicago, IL |
The largest U.S. housewares show for kitchen, home organization, appliances, and cookware. |
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June 2026 (TBA) |
Dallas, TX |
Home goods, décor, seasonal, kitchenware, and gift buyers. |
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July 14–20, 2026 |
Atlanta, GA |
Major housewares, décor, and lifestyle lines; high boutique retailer attendance. |
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Aug 2026 (TBA) |
New York, NY |
Strong for home, tableware, kitchen brands, and design-forward products. |
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Aug 2026 (TBA) |
New York, NY |
Curated home goods, tabletop, and design-driven housewares; ideal for specialty retailers. |
Baby & Kids Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
May 13–15, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Big baby/kids products show: gear, feeding, strollers, diapering, and juvenile products. |
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Sept 17–19, 2026 |
Cologne, Germany |
The largest global baby/kids industry show; strong for international buyers and premium kids brands. |
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Multiple markets in 2026 |
New York, NY |
Apparel, accessories, and boutique kids brands for specialty retailers. |
Pet Industry Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar 25–27, 2026 |
Orlando, FL |
One of the biggest pet retail shows; strong for consumables, treats, accessories, and novelties. |
|
|
April 2026 (TBA) |
Kansas City, MO |
Excellent for pet consumables, supplements, and health-related brands. |
|
|
Aug 17–20, 2026 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Premier pet industry show; heavy specialty-retail buying and product discovery. |
Health, Fitness & Active Lifestyle Shows
Event |
Dates (2026) |
Location |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jan 2026 (TBA) |
Los Angeles, CA |
Consumer + retail fitness show; strong visibility for supplements and fitness accessories. |
|
|
2026 (Dates TBA) |
USA (varies) |
International fitness expo expanding into US markets; good for active lifestyle products. |
|
|
July 2026 (TBA) |
USA (varies) |
Fitness and wellness marketplace for accessories, recovery products, gear, and wellness brands. |
Trade shows can spark the biggest jumps in your business: new retailer conversations, category insights, supply chain partners, and the kind of momentum you only get from being in the room. If you’re looking to expand your brand’s retail presence and want to understand your financing options for scale, reach out to Lunr anytime. We’re here to help you move fast and stay capital ready.
See you on the trade show floor!
Trade Show FAQs
Below are answers to common questions brands ask when planning their 2026 trade show strategy.
What are the most important CPG trade shows in 2026?
The most important CPG trade shows in 2026 depend on category and growth stage, but several consistently attract top retail buyers and distributors. For food and beverage brands, Winter Fancy Faire, Summer Fancy Faire, and Natural Products Expo West are among the most impactful. Beauty and wellness brands often prioritize Cosmoprof North America and IBS Las Vegas, while retailers and private-label buyers concentrate at NRF Retail’s Big Show and White Label World Expo USA. Brands planning retail expansion should focus on shows where decision-makers actively scout new products, not just where foot traffic is highest.
Which trade shows are best for emerging food and beverage brands?
Emerging food and beverage brands benefit most from trade shows that attract specialty, regional, and independent buyers. Winter Fancy Faire and Summer Fancy Faire are strong entry points for brands gaining early traction, while Natural Products Expo West is ideal for natural, organic, and wellness-focused products preparing to scale. Shows like The NGA Show also offer access to independent grocers and regional chains. For early-stage brands, smaller or category-specific events often deliver higher-quality conversations and more actionable buyer feedback than large, mass-market expos.
How should brands choose the right retail trade shows to attend?
Brands should choose retail trade shows based on their category, stage of growth, and target buyers, not popularity alone. Start by identifying which retailers or distributors you want to meet, then prioritize shows where those buyers are known to attend. Emerging brands may benefit more from focused, regional, or specialty shows, while scaling brands can justify larger national expos. Budget, booth ROI, travel costs, and follow-up capacity also matter. The right trade show is one that aligns with your current retail strategy and sets you up for meaningful conversations, not just visibility.
