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December 2-3, 2025, Javits Center, New York City

Author: Abigail Stevens

Chef Spike Mendelsohn To Keynote Day Two of Plant Based World Expo

The renowned chef and entrepreneur will discuss how and why he built two successful plant-based food companies and how he puts his passion for food equity and education into action.

NEW YORK, July 26, 2022 – Plant Based World Expo (September 8-9, 2022) is pleased to announce that restaurateur, TV personality, entrepreneur and food policy advocate Chef Spike Mendelsohn will keynote Day 2 of the Plant Based World Expo on Friday, September 9, 2022.

From chef and restaurateur to television personality, food policy advocate and entrepreneur, Chef Spike Mendelsohn is a force to be reckoned with in the culinary world. In 2019, he co-founded PLNT Burger, a fast-casual chain dedicated to celebrating classic American comfort foods in a way that is better for people and the planet. His desire to make a positive impact on our food system also led to the founding of plant-based snack company Eat The Change with friend and fellow entrepreneur, Seth Goldman.

“We’re fortunate to have some of the best and brightest plant-based food industry leaders and pioneers speaking at this year’s conference,” said Ben Davis, Content Chair and Strategic Advisor at Plant Based World Expo. “Speakers like Chef Spike Mendelsohn and others will share their expertise as well as real-world case studies and best practices designed to help attendees successfully develop, source and distribute plant-based products, and gain insights they won’t find anywhere else.”

This year’s Plant Based World Expo Conference Program at the Javits Center in New York has been carefully curated in partnership with the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and Eat For the Planet, to help retailers, foodservice operators and other industry professionals advance their businesses in the plant-based sector. There are three tracks–Retail, Food Service, and Industry–that make it easy to find topics related to specific businesses, as well as a world-class lineup of speakers from Kroger, Target, Dot Foods, Sodexo Campus, PBFA, Mintec. and many more

Session highlights include:

  • Understanding the Consumer Shift Away from Animal to Plant-Based
  • Celebrating, Elevating, and Amplifying Diversity in Plant-Based Foods
  • Thriving in Food Service
  • The Importance of Collaborating with Brands in Retail
  • Securing a Resilient Plant-Based Future: Building Domestic Supply Networks
  • Plant-Based Food Pricing and the Impact of Inflation
  • Addressing Operational Challenges of Plant-Based Menus
  • Much more!

“The success of Plant Based World Expo speaks to the explosive growth of the plant-based foods industry,” said Rachel Dreskin, CEO of PBFA. “We are thrilled to partner with the PBW team to curate educational content that expands retailer and foodservice operators’ understanding of the overwhelming demand for plant-based foods, and offer an exciting, meaningful opportunity for our membership to get their delicious and innovative foods in front of industry leaders and consumers.”

The 2022 Plant Based World Expo Conference Program was created in partnership with the Plant Based Foods Association and Eat For the Planet. All sessions are programmed with guidance from the world-class PBW Advisory Council and Buyers Council.

Plant Based World Expo is North America’s only 100% plant-based event designed exclusively for foodservice and retail professionals, distributors, investors, and manufacturers. PBW combines a world-class conference with an exhibition showcasing thousands of innovative plant-based food products and brands from around the world, plus high-level networking and tasting opportunities. PBW is the official tradeshow of the Plant Based Foods Association. More than 250 exhibitors and more than 4,500 people are expected to attend this year.

To learn more about Plant Based World Expo or to schedule an interview with PBW leadership, please contact Sacha Cohen, sacha@grassfedmediadc.com or 202-251-9417.

Bigger Plant Based World Expo Returns to NYC September 2022

Plant Based World Expo (PBW), North America’s only 100% plant-based event — designed exclusively for foodservice and retail professionals, distributors, investors, and manufacturers — returns for the third time to New York September 8-9, 2022 at the Javits Center. PBW is the official trade show for the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), the pioneering trade association for plant-based food companies.

Building on a tremendously successful 2021 event, this year will be even better with a larger expo floor space, double the number of sessions, the return of the Culinary Theater, even more exhibitors from around the world, and ground-breaking plant-based products.

“We’re thrilled to be heading back to New York for the third Plant Based World Expo! Our highly curated B2B event is the must-attend industry event for food service professionals, retailers, investors, buyers and brands to do business, learn and connect,” said Chris Nemchek, General Manager of Plant Based World Expo. “We look forward to offering important educational sessions and showcasing the latest plant-based products that will help companies excel in this exploding category, improve their bottom line and offer customers the very best in plant-based food options.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the latest consumer trends, data, and research on plant-based foods.
  • See, taste, and experience new product innovations and solutions.
  • Become experts on plant-based food and help shape a healthier, more sustainable food system.
  • Network with and learn from their peers.

Plant Based World Expo combines a world-class conference with an exhibition showcasing thousands of innovative plant-based food products and brands from around the world, plus high-level networking and tasting opportunities. More than 4,500 people are expected to attend this year.

This year’s opening keynote is Eve Turow-Paul, an author, globally-recognized thought leader, and founder and Executive Director of Food for Climate League. During her engaging and informational session, From Functional Foods to Sourdough: The “Why” Behind Today’s Food & Lifestyle Trends, Turow-Paul will discuss our shared human needs and how they shape food and lifestyle trends in the plant-based world and beyond. During the hour, Turow-Paul will walk through the connections between food choice, mental health, sustainability, and the impact of COVID-19. Attendees will be introduced to a framework that will help them decipher not just past and present trends, but also anticipate the trends of tomorrow.

Registration is now open to attend. Plant Based World Expo offers separate passes for the expo floor and conference program, as well as an All Access Pass for guests looking for a more well-rounded experience. Qualified buyers can receive a free Expo Only pass upon registering, and registering through July 17 offers an Early Bird discount to all. For more information, visit www.plantbasedworldexpo.com.

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