Pizza Expo 2026 to Host Gelato Festival World Masters Grand Finale
The International Pizza Expo & Conference—recognized as the world’s largest and most influential trade event dedicated to the pizza industry—will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas from March 24 to March 26, 2026. Now celebrating its 42nd year, the event continues to serve as a central gathering point for pizza professionals, suppliers, innovators, and culinary leaders from across the globe who come together each year to explore the latest trends shaping the pizza business.
Presented by Pizza Today Magazine and produced by Emerald Holding, Inc., the International Pizza Expo has built a decades-long reputation as the definitive marketplace and educational hub for the global pizzeria community. Over the years, the event has evolved into much more than a trade show—it is widely regarded as the annual meeting ground where pizza operators, equipment manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and technology providers collaborate to drive innovation and growth in one of the world’s most beloved food categories.
A Global Hub for the Pizza Industry
Each year, the International Pizza Expo attracts more than 10,000 professionals representing every segment of the pizza ecosystem. The majority of attendees are pizzeria owners and operators, but the audience also includes chefs, restaurateurs, distributors, suppliers, foodservice professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking to learn, network, and discover new solutions for their businesses.
More than 500 exhibitors typically participate in the expo, showcasing a wide array of products and services that support modern pizza operations. From commercial ovens, dough mixers, and kitchen automation tools to premium cheeses, sauces, flour, toppings, and packaging solutions, the exhibition floor offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to explore innovations that can enhance both efficiency and creativity in their establishments.
The expo also provides a platform for emerging technologies, including digital ordering systems, delivery optimization tools, sustainability-focused packaging solutions, and plant-based ingredient innovations. These developments reflect the broader transformation taking place within the global foodservice industry as operators respond to shifting consumer preferences and operational challenges.
Iconic Competitions Celebrate Pizza Craftsmanship
One of the most anticipated aspects of the event is the renowned International Pizza Challenge, where pizza makers from around the world compete in a variety of categories to demonstrate their culinary expertise. The competition highlights both traditional and modern interpretations of pizza, offering participants the chance to showcase their creativity and technical mastery.
Competitors vie for titles such as Pizza Maker of the Year and World’s Best Cheese Slice while presenting their signature recipes before panels of expert judges. The competition has become a prestigious platform for pizza artisans seeking international recognition.
Equally entertaining is the World Pizza Games, a lively series of contests that test the speed, skill, and showmanship of pizza professionals. Among the fan-favorite events are the Largest Dough Stretch, Fastest Pizza Box Folding, and Freestyle Acrobatic Dough Tossing competitions. These challenges highlight the physical skill and performance aspects of pizza-making, transforming everyday kitchen techniques into crowd-pleasing spectacles.
In response to growing consumer demand for alternative diets, the expo also includes the Daiya Dairy-Free Competition, a category dedicated to dairy-free pizza creations designed for customers with dietary restrictions or lifestyle preferences. This competition underscores the industry’s ongoing efforts to broaden menu offerings and meet evolving dietary expectations.
A Major Expansion in 2026
The 2026 edition of the International Pizza Expo will be held in a significantly expanded space, reflecting both the event’s continued growth and the rising global interest in pizza entrepreneurship.
The most notable addition this year is the Gelato Festival World Masters Grand Finale, which will take place during the expo. Founded in Florence, Italy in 2010, the Gelato Festival World Masters has become the most prestigious international competition dedicated to artisan gelato.
The competition operates through a global series of qualifying rounds held in dozens of countries each year, where gelato makers present their creations to panels of judges and the public. The top competitors advance through successive stages until the final group of finalists earns the opportunity to compete in the Grand Finale.
The 2026 finale represents a historic milestone for the event. For the first time in its 16-year history, the Grand Finale will take place in the United States. Hosted within the International Pizza Expo on March 26, the competition will feature 34 finalists from 18 countries who will compete for the coveted title of Best Gelato Master in the world.
Bringing the finale to Las Vegas highlights the growing connection between artisan gelato and the broader foodservice industry, particularly within pizza restaurants that increasingly expand their dessert offerings.
Introduction of SIGEP USA
Another major highlight of the 2026 event will be the debut of SIGEP USA, organized by the Italian Exhibition Group. SIGEP is internationally known for celebrating Italian excellence in gelato, pastry, coffee, chocolate, and artisan bakery products.
By introducing SIGEP USA alongside the International Pizza Expo, organizers aim to bring a broader range of Italian culinary craftsmanship to American foodservice professionals. The collaboration connects two iconic Italian food traditions—pizza and gelato—under a single event platform for the first time.
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for chefs, restaurateurs, and suppliers to explore complementary product categories and business strategies, particularly for pizzerias looking to expand into premium dessert or café offerings.
Addressing Modern Restaurant Challenges
According to Show Director Bill Oakley, the pizza industry continues to evolve rapidly, requiring operators to stay flexible and innovative in order to succeed.
He noted that modern pizzeria owners must constantly adapt to emerging trends, including the increasing regional diversity of pizza styles and changing consumer preferences regarding portion sizes and dietary choices. At the same time, operators face ongoing operational challenges such as supply chain volatility, rising costs, and shifting trade policies that affect ingredient sourcing.
The International Pizza Expo aims to provide solutions to these challenges by serving as a knowledge hub where operators can learn from industry experts, discover new products, and build relationships with suppliers and fellow entrepreneurs.
Oakley also emphasized the significance of expanding the event’s programming to include the Gelato Festival World Masters finale and SIGEP USA. By bringing these globally recognized culinary platforms together, organizers are creating a unique environment that celebrates the broader Italian-inspired foodservice culture while providing new growth opportunities for attendees.
Celebrating Artisan Gelato on a Global Stage
The founder of the Gelato Festival, Gabriele Poli, described the Grand Finale as an international showcase of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation within the artisan gelato community.
Hosting the competition at the International Pizza Expo, he explained, represents an important step toward expanding authentic gelato culture across the United States. The partnership also strengthens ties between American foodservice operators and the Italian tradition of artisanal frozen desserts.
The event is supported by key partners including the Italian Trade Agency and Carpigiani Group, both of which have played important roles in promoting high-quality gelato production and education worldwide.
Extensive Educational Programming
Beyond the exhibition floor and competitions, the International Pizza Expo offers an extensive lineup of educational programming designed to help pizzeria operators enhance their culinary techniques and business management skills.
The 2026 conference program includes:
- 13 hands-on workshops
- 12 live demonstrations
- 40 in-depth educational seminars
- 2 keynote presentations
These sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics ranging from dough fermentation science and ingredient sourcing to marketing strategies, menu engineering, and financial management.
Several highly respected figures in the pizza world will lead workshops and presentations during the event. Among them are renowned pizza experts Tony Gemignani, Mike Bausch, Laura Meyer, David Scott Peters, Joe Bartoli, Jacob Bartoli, and Italian pizza master Enzo Coccia.
Their sessions will explore subjects such as advanced dough fermentation techniques, menu development, restaurant leadership, operational efficiency, and customer engagement strategies.
New Voices and Culinary Innovators
In addition to established industry leaders, the 2026 event will introduce 17 new expert speakers who will participate in the conference program for the first time.
Among them is Wylie Dufresne, a Michelin-starred chef and winner of the prestigious James Beard Award, known for his pioneering approach to modern cuisine.
Also joining the speaker lineup are Hengam Stanfield and Matt Stanfield, founders of Mattenga’s Pizzeria. Their restaurant has been voted Best Pizza in San Antonio for two consecutive years, making them influential voices in the contemporary pizza scene.
Continuing a Legacy of Innovation
As the pizza industry continues to expand globally, the International Pizza Expo remains a vital platform for fostering collaboration, celebrating craftsmanship, and driving innovation. By bringing together leading chefs, entrepreneurs, suppliers, and educators, the event helps shape the future of one of the world’s most popular foods.
With its expanded programming, historic competitions, and the integration of major Italian culinary events, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most significant gatherings in the expo’s history—offering attendees an unmatched opportunity to learn, compete, and connect within the global pizza community.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
