Bakery and pastry industry events give professionals the chance to learn new skills, network with peers and discover where the industry is heading next.
In this article, you’ll find the must-attend events worth adding to your calendar.
Must-Attend Bakery and Pastry Industry Events in the USA for 2026
The bakery and pastry industry events calendar for 2026 offers U.S.-based professionals plenty of reasons to get out of the kitchen and into the convention hall.
From executive-level summits to massive trade expos, these events deliver networking, education, and trend discovery that can reshape how you run your business.
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Here are the top events happening on American soil this year.
1. SIGEP USA 2026 – A New Bakery and Pastry Industry Event Launches in Las Vegas
- Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Date: March 24–26, 2026
SIGEP USA marks the first American edition of the globally renowned SIGEP World trade show, bringing Italian artisanal excellence to the U.S. market.
Hosted alongside the International Pizza Expo, the event covers gelato, pastry, bakery, chocolate, coffee, and digital foodservice solutions.
Source: sigep.it/en/network/sigep-usa
2. 2026 ABA Convention – The Premier Bakery and Pastry Industry Event for U.S. Executives
- Venue: The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Date: April 19–22, 2026
The ABA Annual Convention remains the most important gathering for commercial baking leaders in the United States.
The 2025 convention set attendance records with over 550 participants and 130 first-timers, and organizers expect that momentum to continue in Colorado Springs.
Source: americanbakers.org
3. Whisked Away Kansas City – A Hands-On Bakery and Pastry Industry Event for Artisans
- Venue: Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: May 1–3, 2026
- Limited to 40 participants
Whisked Away is an intimate, in-person baking retreat organized by The Bake Fest, designed for passionate Bakers who want to sharpen their skills in a small-group setting.
While smaller in scale than a trade expo, its high-touch format and focus on community make it ideal for retail bakers and home-based business owners looking for direct mentorship.
Source: thebakefest.com
4. National Restaurant Association Show 2026 – A Major Bakery and Pastry Industry Event in Chicago
- Venue: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: May 16–19, 2026
The NRA Show is the largest foodservice and hospitality event in the United States, and its scope includes a significant bakery component.
Baking professionals can explore commercial-grade equipment, innovative ingredients, sustainable packaging, and emerging food technology across more than 900 product categories.
Source: nationalrestaurantshow.com
5. IDDBA Show 2026 – A Key Bakery and Pastry Industry Event for Retail Buyers
- Venue: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
- Date: June 7–9, 2026
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association Show is the largest industry-only event dedicated to the dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice sectors.
The 2025 edition drew over 10,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors, making it one of the strongest B2B platforms for bakery brands targeting retail channels.
Source: iddba.org
6. Summer Fancy Food Show 2026 – A Specialty Bakery and Pastry Industry Event in New York
- Venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City, New York
- Date: June 28–30, 2026
The Summer Fancy Food Show is North America's largest trade event for specialty foods, and its bakery and confectionery pavilion is a key draw.
Organized by the Specialty Food Association, the 70th edition brings together manufacturers, retail buyers, restaurateurs, distributors, and investors for three days of product discovery.
Source: specialtyfood.com
7. ABA Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit – A Bakery and Pastry Industry Event Focused on Advocacy
- Venue: Washington, D.C.
- Date: September 15, 2026
The Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit gives baking industry leaders the chance to engage directly with federal lawmakers on policies affecting the sector.
Participants attend briefings on regulatory issues, tariffs, workforce policy, and food safety legislation before heading to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings with members of Congress.
Source: americanbakers.org/events
Why Attending Bakery and Pastry Industry Events in the USA Matters in 2026
Here's what these events deliver:
- Live workshops, competitions, and demos.
- Meet potential business partners, mentors, suppliers, and fellow professionals
- Get early exposure to emerging consumer preferences, ingredient innovations, and technologies
- Discover strategies for improving operations, marketing, product offerings, and supply chain efficiency.
How To Choose the Right Bakery and Pastry Industry Events for Your Business
Selecting the right event depends on your role and objectives.
- Commercial baking executives focused on strategy and policy should prioritize the ABA Convention and the Bakers Fly-In.
- If you're a retail Baker or specialty brand aiming to reach buyers, the IDDBA Show and Summer Fancy Food Show are your strongest options.
- The NRA Show offers the broadest cross-industry exposure, while SIGEP USA provides a unique window into European artisan techniques arriving on U.S. soil.
- Whisked Away is best suited for artisan bakers seeking hands-on learning in a small, community-driven format.
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Networking Opportunities at Bakery and Pastry Industry Events
Bakery and pastry industry events create valuable opportunities to connect with peers, suppliers, buyers and industry leaders.
From casual meetups to structured networking sessions, these connections often lead to collaborations, mentorships and new business opportunities.
Education and Skill Development at Bakery and Pastry Industry Events
Many bakery and pastry industry events offer workshops, demonstrations and expert-led sessions focused on technique, innovation and business strategy.
These hands-on learning experiences help professionals sharpen skills and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
How Bakery and Pastry Industry Events Support Career Growth
Attending bakery and pastry industry events can directly support career advancement by exposing professionals to new roles, trends and employers.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration, industry recognition or your next career move, these events open doors beyond the kitchen.
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