Author: Sandy Fazaa

Highly Successful Plant Based World Expo Energizes and Engages Food Industry

Written by Sandy Fazaa on September 13, 2022. Posted in Press Releases.

The third PBW had more than 3,700 attendees, more buyers, and an impressive range of exhibitors showcasing the best in plant-based foods.

NEW YORK, September 13, 2022 – The third Plant Based World Expo North America (PBW) returned to the Javits Center in New York on September 8 and 9, 2022. Attendees at the 100% plant-based B2B industry event enjoyed innovative new plant-based products, informative and inspiring speakers, and exclusive networking opportunities. There were 3,722 attendees, up roughly 20% from 2021 and 232 exhibitors.

“The response to this year’s Plant Based World Expo has been tremendous,” said Chris Nemchek, General Manager. “One of our goals this year was to improve the audience quality and increase the number of retail and foodservice buyers at the show, and we are thrilled to report that we increased the number of buyers by 20%.”

Trends on display included:

Mushroom-based meats, snacks and jerky from Fable, Popadelics and Eat the Change.
Plant-based meats and seafoods from companies such as Atlas Monroe, Hoya, Unlimeat, The Blue Butcher, Mind Blown Seafood, and Finless Foods.
Functional foods and beverages from Broma, True North, Remedy and Purposefuel.
Snacks galore from Rule Breaker Snacks, Lupii, Mozaics, and Fat Badger.
Global culinary creativity and chef-crafted products.
Convenient and accessible frozen and prepared entrees from companies such as Strong Roots and Wicked Foods.
Elevated plant-based cheeses from Good Plant Foods, Bedda Cheese, Selfish Cow Plant Based Cheese, Plant Perks, Nuts for Cheese, Wildbrine, and Miyoko’s Creamery.

“The success of this year’s Plant Based World Expo demonstrates the continued excitement around the plant-based foods industry,” said Rachel Dreskin, CEO of PBFA and The Institute. “Thanks to the strength of our partnership with the PBW team, we were able to put on a fantastic show featuring impactful conference sessions and so many meaningful opportunities for our members to connect with industry leaders and buyers. We look forward to continued growth and the expansion of our joint mission to showcase the power of plant-based.”

The show’s exhibitors were enthusiastic about their experiences at the show, citing great connections and the chance to showcase their products to a highly qualified audience as reasons why they plan to return next year.

“This was Mind Blown’s first year exhibiting at the show and it was incredible start to finish,” said Monica Talbert, co-founder of Mind Blown Plant Based Seafood Company. “The energy and excitement from attendees and other exhibitors was truly electric and so many quality connections really makes PBW a show not to miss!”

Whether they were sampling delicious plant-based frozen desserts and mouth-watering plant-based entrees or learning from expert speakers, celebrity chefs, and industry leaders, attendees agreed that this was the best PBW yet.

“The show has been incredible. We’ve made a lot of good contacts with all the right people to get our product into the right places. We’re looking forward to next year,” said Marc Elkman, co-founder, Mighty Yum.

“This was our first time coming to the show and we have made many amazing connections here–it gives me goosebumps–and we’re excited about following up and our future,” said Camille Holder-Brown, co-founder, Kale Cafe.

Plant Based World Expo (PBW) 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.

To learn more about Plant Based World Expo or to schedule an interview with PBW leadership, please contact Sacha Cohen, [email protected] or 202-251-9417.

To inquire about exhibiting at future shows please contact Sam Morley at [email protected].

Top 10 Things to Do at Plant Based World Expo

Written by Sandy Fazaa on August 23, 2022. Posted in Press Releases.

Foodservice and retail professionals, distributors, investors, and manufacturers will come together under one roof on September 8-9, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York to experience ground-breaking plant-based innovations, trends, new products and much more at the third Plant Based World Expo. This year there will be 50% more expo floor space, more than 250 exhibitors and sponsors, and 25+ conference sessions. More than 4,500 people are expected to attend.

So how can attendees make the most of their time at the must-attend two-day B2B conference? Here’s a list of the top 10 not-to-miss experiences:

Get inspired by opening keynote speakers Chef Spike Mendelsohn and author Eve Turow-Paul.
Explore the global influence of plant-based foods at the Italy, Mexico, and Peru pavilions.
Visit the Start-Up Zone to uncover the newest plant-based brands and products.
Check out plant-based cooking demos in the Culinary Theater.
Learn about ingredient trends in the Learning Garden.
Enjoy samples of ground-breaking plant-based products and ingredients.
Discover innovative ways to merchandise and promote plant-based menu items.
Find out about the latest consumer surveys and trends.
Take deep dives into case studies from Wicked Foods and Infinite Foods.
Meet plant-based industry pioneers, disruptors, and experts.

“This year’s Plant Based World Expo builds on the success of our first two shows and will showcase the enormous variety of products and innovations available to today’s discerning consumers,” said Chris Nemchek, general manager of Plant Based World Expo. Plus, our stellar line-up of speakers will deliver insightful and practical information that attendees will be able to implement immediately.

The Learning Garden – sponsored by Wicked Kitchen and SPINS – is back this year and is a must for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of industry trends and innovations. Highlights include:

Disrupting the Plant-Based Category by Prioritizing Sustainability
Delivering Tasteful Health with CJ Bio’s TasteNrich and FlavorNrich Ingredients
Wanted: Manufactured Vegan Food for the School Food Service Sector
Power of Plant-Based Food and Beverages

The Culinary Theater is where attendees can get a taste for how to use many of the products on the show floor. Watch professional plant-based chefs mix it up and show how to make a variety of global cuisines including Mediterranean, Jamaican, Italian, and Mauritian, as well as desserts! Highlights include:

Incorporating Plant Based Products into your Biscotti Recipe
Rewriting Food Memories: Nowadays x Aunts et Uncles reimagine chicken with the ‘So Simple Chicken Sandwich’
“Plant Based Recipes with an Italian Style”: Discover How to Combine Italian Cuisine with Healthy Plant Based Wonderful Ingredients
Mediterranean Cuisine: A World of Plant Based Flavors

The Plant Based World Expo Conference Program 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. All sessions are programmed with guidance from the world-class PBW Advisory Council and Buyers Council.

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

Written by Sandy Fazaa on July 26, 2022. Posted in Press Releases.

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, [email protected] or 202-251-9417.

Bigger Plant Based World Expo Returns to NYC September 2022

Written by Sandy Fazaa on June 15, 2022. Posted in Press Releases.

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.