CALGARY, ALBERTA — For over a decade, Western Canada's foodservice and hospitality professionals had been waiting. While the eastern provinces had their trade shows and the United States had its sprawling expos, the chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba were left without a dedicated gathering place to discover, connect, and do business.

That changed in September 2025 when NEXT Food Expo opened its doors at Calgary's BMO Centre. Now, with its second edition set for September 13-14, 2026, NEXT has established itself as the region's defining event for anyone serious about the future of food, beverage, technology, and equipment.

NEXT Food Expo positions itself as more than a conventional trade show. Built by industry insiders who understood what was missing in the Western Canadian market, the expo combines curated exhibitors, immersive programming, and hands-on experiences designed to spark real business outcomes.

The show targets a specific audience: chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, bartenders, beverage directors, retail buyers, distributors, and procurement professionals. From independent operators running boutique concepts to multi-unit chains managing locations across the Canada, NEXT serves anyone making purchasing decisions in the hospitality supply chain.

"NEXT isn't just another show. It's designed for impact," reads the expo's positioning. "Curated exhibitors that showcase only the best in food, beverage, equipment, and tech. Immersive, high-touch experiences that spark real engagement. Future-focused content from industry leaders, changemakers, and innovators."

The inaugural NEXT Food Expo ran September 8-9, 2025, occupying Halls D and E at the BMO Centre on Calgary's Stampede Park. Show hours ran 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days, with a Monday Night Mixer extending networking into the evening.

USA Rice, serving as an official sponsor, offered one of the most detailed public accounts of the 2025 edition. The organization used the expo to engage distributors, food manufacturers, chefs, and buyers about rice imports and global trade opportunities between the U.S. and Canada.

"Activating across multiple touchpoints at the NEXT Food Expo, USA Rice was not only able to connect with regional and national partners about opportunities for collaboration but also reinforce its position as a trusted ingredient partner for Canadian foodservice and hospitality," said Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice senior director of international promotion for the Western Hemisphere.

The expo's programming centered on several anchor experiences. The Culinary Stage hosted live cooking competitions, including the Culinary Showdown and the Brunch Battle, where Canadian chefs competed using black-box ingredients. U.S.-grown rice featured as a mandatory component, challenging competitors to demonstrate versatility and creativity under pressure.

The Innovation Lab gave exhibitors and attendees hands-on access to emerging kitchen technologies and culinary techniques. Chefs demonstrated trend-driven applications while tech vendors showcased equipment designed to solve operational challenges.

An Immersive Theatre provided an enclosed space combining high-definition visuals and sound for brand storytelling. USA Rice used this venue for a Virtual Farm & Mill Tour, transporting attendees onto American rice farms and through milling facilities to illustrate supply chain transparency and sustainability practices.

Tammara Behl, a MasterChef Canada finalist and Calgary-based culinary consultant, led two workshops for independent restaurant owners and operators during the expo, focusing on financial literacy and operational fundamentals.

Exhibitor feedback from the debut year was notably positive. Daren Schwengler of Specialty Beverage Solutions reported: "Thank you NEXT, we received a great number of leads, and made so many new connections. We are so happy we participated in the NEXT Food Expo, and can't wait for next year already."

Stacey Paquin of Mr. Pretzels Canada described the atmosphere: "The show itself was full of good vibes and even better opportunities. As a bonus, it was all about food which meant plenty of new connections for Mr. Pretzels, from suppliers to some really cool equipment."

Chris Di Grazia of Just Vertical, a vertical farming technology company, emphasized the value proposition: "NEXT Food Expo was brilliant for us. There was enormous value for the investment, and a fantastic opportunity to get exposed to the folks in foodservice we were looking to get in front of."

Nathalie Kent of The Fifteen Group, a restaurant consulting firm, spoke to the regional significance: "The inaugural NEXT Food Expo in Calgary was a special two days. The prairies are often overlooked in terms of events, and it was incredible to connect with local restaurant owners and partners, as well as meet so many new people."

One confirmed exhibitor summarized the sentiment more directly:

"NEXT feels like what the industry has been missing."

The second edition of NEXT Food Expo is scheduled for September 13-14, 2026, returning to the BMO Centre in Calgary. Show hours run 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days (Sunday and Monday), with the Sunday Night Mixer providing an evening networking event at 4:00 p.m.

Building on the 2025 foundation, NEXT has announced expanded immersive experiences for 2026:

The Culinary Stage returns with live demonstrations, high-heat competitions, and feature segments from Canada's top chefs. Programming will focus on creative approaches to Canadian ingredients and fresh ideas operators can implement in their own kitchens.

A dedicated Bar Stage has been added again for 2026, featuring cocktail demonstrations, mocktail innovations, bar battles, and brand spotlights. Hands-on tastings and guided pourings from bartenders across Canada will showcase new flavours, trends, and techniques for both industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts.

The Innovation Lab expands its focus on cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions, and techniques shaping tomorrow's menus. Attendees can test equipment and explore applications hands-on.

Panels + Fireside Chats will feature thought-provoking conversations led by industry veterans, rising talent, and professionals across all segments of foodservice. Topics go beyond surface-level trends to deliver practical learning and actionable insights.

The Marketing Content Studio addresses the growing importance of digital presence for hospitality operators. Programming includes photo and video tutorials, food styling workshops, podcasting essentials, and digital storytelling sessions. The goal: make content creation approachable for chefs, bartenders, operators, and corporate leaders who need to turn everyday moments into engaging social content.

Can't wait until September? NEXT Food Expo will be on the ground at the Restaurants Canada Show on March 8th to the 10th this year, giving foodservice professionals an early opportunity to learn more about the fall event in Calgary.

Visit Booth 1279 to connect with the NEXT team, ask questions about exhibiting or attending, and get the inside track on what's being planned for September 13-14. Edwin Cabural, Director of Sales & Show Manager will be on-site to walk you through sponsorship opportunities, booth options, programming details, and how your brand or operation can get involved.

Whether you're a vendor exploring Western Canadian expansion, a restaurateur curious about what NEXT offers, or an operator looking to bring your team to Calgary this fall, the RC Show is your chance to have a direct conversation before booth space fills up.

Stop by Booth 1279. Ask for Edwin. Get the details on NEXT.

For operators, whether running a hotel food program, managing a multi-location pub group, overseeing a boutique restaurant, or handling procurement for institutional foodservice, NEXT promises tangible takeaways rather than passive networking.

Ticket pricing remains accessible. For 2026, single-day passes and two-day options will be available, with team-friendly packages designed to bring kitchen crews, F&B staff, and procurement leads together.

For vendors, manufacturers, and service providers, NEXT offers direct access to decision-makers across the Western Canadian hospitality supply chain.

Exhibitor categories span food and beverage brands (CPG, ingredients, local producers), restaurant-ready equipment, technology and tools, and services for hospitality businesses. As the organizers put it: "If your product belongs in the kitchen, on the table, or behind the bar, you belong at NEXT."

Standard 10x10 booths are priced at $3,200, with bulk rates available at $3,000 per booth for four or more. A startup/small business booth option (6x8 feet) is available at $1,500 for companies under two years old with fewer than 10 employees and under $1 million in annual sales.

Booth packages include exhibitor badges, general admission tickets for clients and staff, Mixer Event tickets, basic electrical and WiFi access, and access to a central dishwashing area for live food demonstrations.

Early booking incentives apply: returning exhibitors can receive a 15% renewal discount if paid in full by January 31, 2026, while new exhibitors can secure a 10% early bird discount if paid in full by March 31, 2026.

Sponsorship opportunities go beyond booth presence. Options include Stage + Session Sponsorships, Sunday Night Mixer branding, Product Sampling + Demo Spaces, and Media + Content Partnerships. The expo positions sponsorship as a way to "put your brand at the heart of innovation, connection, and education in Western Canada's fast-growing market."

NEXT's timing aligns with significant momentum in Canada's broader foodservice sector. According to Circana data cited by the expo, the Western Region (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) represents a substantial share of national commercial foodservice traffic and spending.

Traffic in Canada's commercial foodservice industry rose 3.2% in the first half of 2025, while consumer spending increased 5.7%. Quick-service restaurants led traffic growth with a 4.3% quarterly increase, while independent and small-chain restaurants outpaced large chains reflecting a shift toward localized dining experiences.

The broader Canadian foodservice market is estimated at $135 billion in 2025 and projected to grow significantly through 2030. Industry challenges remain: labour shortages, rising operating costs, and margin pressure continue to test operators. But consumer spending shows resilience, with lunch emerging as the fastest-growing daypart and digital ordering maintaining double-digit growth.

For vendors and brands seeking entry or expansion in Western Canada, NEXT provides a concentrated opportunity to reach operators actively looking for solutions to manage costs, simplify procurement, and revitalize menus.

Event: NEXT Food Expo 2026 Dates: September 13-14, 2026 (Sunday-Monday) Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily; Sunday Night Mixer at 4:00 p.m. Location: BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary, Alberta

Website: NEXTFoodExpo.com

RC Show: Visit Booth 1279 – Ask for Edwin

NEXT Food Expo arrived at a moment when Western Canada's hospitality industry needed a dedicated platform. The 2025 debut demonstrated that operators, vendors, and industry partners were ready to show up when given a relevant, professionally executed event.

For 2026, the question isn't whether NEXT will draw a crowd, it's whether the expanded programming and growing vendor roster can deliver the business outcomes that turn first-time attendees into permanent fixtures on the show floor.

As Kent of The Fifteen Group observed after the inaugural event: "Already looking forward to next year."

Western Canada's foodservice professionals now have their answer to a long-standing gap in the trade show calendar.