The 2023 NGA Show, the premier tradeshow for the independent supermarket industry, opened Day 2 on Feb. 27 with more than 300 exhibitors and sponsors showcasing products and services in the expo hall at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.
With more than 40 educational sessions and over 100 speakers discussing the most relevant topics facing food retailers, The NGA Show ran through Tuesday, Feb. 28.
“Our attendees can meet one on one with suppliers and service providers in our exhibition hall, and explore opportunities to collaborate on how best to take their business to the next level and beyond,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president and CEO. “There’s plenty of demos, ideas and innovations, not to mention new expanded food offerings. The enthusiasm and energy at this show is truly amazing.”
The exhibit hall was the event’s largest in three years and added more than 100 companies brand new to the show. The addition of the new F&B Innovation Village along with expanded foodservice and technology pavilions contributed to a show floor 60 percent larger than last year’s event.
Exhibitors expressed excitement over the chance to meet with attendees whose numbers exceeded the pre-pandemic 2020 show.
“As a first-time exhibitor, our participation at the NGA Show has exceeded our expectations,” said Graham Sorkin, co-founder and chief of staff at The Functional Chocolate Company. “Beyond all of the tremendous sales opportunities for our products, we’ve enjoyed networking with all sorts of potential new partners, from retailers to wholesalers to distributors and everyone in between.”
Opening the day’s general session program was “What Comes Next for Retail,” a forecast of the most significant headwinds retailers will face in the coming years, presented by NielsenIQ.
Monday’s education breakout topics included creative recruiting, multicultural marketing, the next generation of fresh, smart technology, retail media networks, e-commerce, indoor vertical farming and sustainability. Women Grocers of America hosted a panel discussion on Gen Z shoppers, along with a “relaxation and rejuvenation” lounge.
General session speakers included Rachael Melot, founder and owner of Wystle Gift Shop, speaking on “Success Without Apology” (sponsored by Women Grocers of America); and IGA President and CEO John Ross, with “Exploring the Economic Outlook for the Grocery Industry: 2023 and Beyond.”
Education theater sessions on the show floor explored issues including how to adapt to volatile marketplace dynamics, digital circulars, general merchandise, e-commerce strategies, smarter sourcing, shopping in the metaverse, convergent commerce and serving low-income communities.
More details about the education program can be found at https://www.thengashow.com/education-program/education-schedule.
Also announced Monday morning were the winners by popular online vote of the Outstanding Marketer and Merchandiser from NGA’s Creative Choice Awards. Outstanding Marketer went to Food City for its Cookeville grand opening campaign; Outstanding Merchandiser went to Chris’ Food Center for its Frozen Food Month “Never Let it Go” campaign.
The NGA Show has been where independent grocers gather for more than 30 years, connecting supermarket retailers and wholesalers, food manufacturers, and service providers worldwide to share innovative solutions and best practices that support and strengthen the independent supermarket channel. The NGA Show is produced and managed by Clarion Events as part of the Food & Beverage Group in partnership with the National Grocers Association (NGA).
