New Digs, Bigger Show

The move to Atlanta for 2025 furthers The NAFEM Show’s hands-on experiences and product education mission.

By Bridget McCrea
Contributing Writer

In February, more than 20,000 exhibitors and attendees will converge on the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, eager to experience miles of foodservice equipment and supplies, interact with top manufacturers and learn about the industry’s latest breakthrough solutions at The NAFEM Show.

It’s the first time the show will be held in Atlanta since 2007, a return that Deirdre Flynn, CFSP, executive vice president for the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM), says was made possible because recent upgrades made the convention center more conducive for the massive, biennial exhibition. “We’re excited about returning to Atlanta, where the GWCC space is now on a single, contiguous floor, which is a requirement for our show,” Flynn says, adding that NAFEM has been so impressed with the venue that it now plans to return there in 2029.

“After holding the show in Orlando for the vast majority of the last decade, a change of venue is pretty exciting,” adds NAFEM President Steve Spittle, CFSP, who is also enthused about the various renovations and expansion projects that have taken place at the GWCC since NAFEM last held its exhibition there. In addition, the area surrounding the venue has been built up over the last decade — spurred by the opening of nearby major attractions like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia Aquarium — and now features more restaurants and experiences.

Here’s What You Can Expect

At the show, attendees can expect to experience everything that’s new, different and interesting in the evolving foodservice sector — all in one place and under one roof. It’s a location where manufacturers, engineers and sales reps are all very accessible and ready to strike up conversations and demonstrate products and solutions to thousands of attendees over a three-day period.

“That’s really the trademark of The NAFEM Show,” Flynn notes. “Not only do you get a hands-on, up-close look at everything you need to equip a kitchen, but you also have the ear of decision makers, engineers and company leaders who are standing by, ready to talk through how specific products and services can benefit a dealer’s customer base.”

Flynn is especially enthused about the GWCC’s undivided exhibit floor, which was previously separated into different sections when it was last in Atlanta. She says NAFEM will occupy the entire floor, and that it’s spent the last two years putting together an event that features “something for everyone” in the industry. For starters, the U.S. Culinary Open is making its debut at The NAFEM Show. The event raises awareness of talented chefs and inspires up-and-coming culinarians to expand their ambition and elevate their skills. There, Chef Nick Barrington will coordinate a first-time U.S. culinary competition, where 12 chefs will be competing right on The NAFEM Show floor.

As one of the primary audiences for the show, foodservice equipment and supplies dealers will benefit from some exclusive access. Attending dealers will have one dedicated hour (8 to 9 a.m.) of training time from manufacturers right on the show floor on Thursday and Friday. “All dealer badges are automatically training time badges so that they can get onto the show floor an hour ahead of everyone else those days and participate in one-on-one training with exhibitors,” Flynn says.

Showcasing New Innovations

NAFEM also is bringing back its WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! new product gallery featuring the newest and most innovation solutions emerging onto the foodservice equipment and supplies scene. Back by popular demand, the gallery returns to The NAFM Show for the first time since 2019.

From the WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! experience, dealers will take away real-time insights they can use to help their own customers improve equipment performance, reduce costs and operate more efficiently. Attendees not only get to see the products in action, but they can also extend the experience by heading to the exhibitors’ individual booths to talk to manufacturers about their innovations.

Spittle says the vetting process for WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL! has been reworked slightly for 2025 and that NAFEM sought out entrants that did more than just switch out knobs on a stove or change the color of its products. “Quite candidly, we’ve done a good job of making the qualifications more difficult, with the end result showcasing products that are truly ‘new’ since our last show,” Spittle says.

With so much innovation on display, Spittle believes The NAFEM Show is the best industry event for dealers wishing to discover new ways to build out their own solution portfolios. “The event cuts across tabletop, smallwares and the equipment world, with an eye on helping customers solve their biggest foodservice challenges,” he explains. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide the best information and education to dealers; there’s truly no other place where they can have three days of concentrated firsthand experience in one place.”

Eva-Marie Fox, CFSP, NAFEM’s show chair and president-elect, concurs with Spittle’s assessment. The organization has been working on the floor and the layout and she says NAFEM is pleased with the level of interest and participation from the industry. “Response for the floor and booth space have been phenomenal,” Fox says. “We know it’s going to be a dynamic show with a lot of the manufacturers and vendors showing off some incredible products and systems.”

Something for Everyone

Known as a culinary innovation hub where dealers can immerse themselves in a world of cutting-edge technology — from energy-efficient cooking appliances to smart ovens to artificial intelligence-powered inventory management systems — The NAFEM Show is always a dynamic landscape of groundbreaking solutions. Attendees will also be able to explore sustainable products and renewable energy options that align with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility.

Flynn says the 2025 show will feature a wide range of technology solutions and robotics, many of which are focused on labor savings and sustainability in both the back and the front of the house. In fact, she notes that much of the automation and innovation taking place on the equipment and supply side right now is helping establishments better utilize existing staff for more customer-facing responsibilities.

As manufacturers unveil their latest creations (such as induction cooktops with precise temperature controls and rapid heating, and refrigeration systems that do a better job of maintaining food freshness and reducing spoilage), they’ll also be showcasing those products’ sustainability features and other appealing functionalities. Some of those capabilities were developed in direct response to the massive challenges that restaurant and foodservice owners faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If there was one positive thing that came out of the pandemic, it’s that it forced innovation to move more quickly than it typically does in this industry,” Flynn points out. “As a result, we’re seeing a lot of new food management, food holding and takeout/delivery products being introduced, all with the goal of helping restaurants operate more efficiently and profitably.”

Education and Industry Insights

While equipment and supplies will dominate the show floor, there’s a lot more going on at The NAFEM Show. The trade show offers educational opportunities that cater to a diverse range of foodservice professionals, from insightful educational presentations to hands-on demonstrations and product showcases. FEDA members planning to attend The NAFEM Show can expect a full menu of educational opportunities, networking interactions and other experiences that they can take back to their businesses and put into action during the coming year. “There’s no other place where a dealer can bring all of its people for such an all-encompassing, educational experience about everything related to foodservice products and solutions,” Spittle says.

“The NAFEM Show is the place where we, as manufacturers, get to showcase our latest and greatest, and there’s no better opportunity for dealers to interact with and learn from us, particularly during the daily training hours,” he continues.

A feature that debuted in 2023, @CenterStage (The NAFEM Show’s educational theatre) will again be situated on the show floor and will feature a number of different presentations. Some of those presentations will take place live on stage while others will either be recorded or held in a podcast setting. The specific presentation topics were being finalized as of mid-November, but Flynn says at least one will feature ITR Economics’ Connor Lokar presenting a keynote (on Thursday, Feb. 27) about the overall economic climate, how the industry is faring and the outlook for 2025.

Kicking Things Off with a Bang

The 2025 NAFEM Show kicks off on Tuesday, Feb. 26, in a big way with an opening night party. Held at the GWCC, the event brings together foodservice professionals from around the globe. Attendees enjoy a night of culinary delights, live entertainment and networking opportunities that set the stage for the two days of innovation, education and inspiration that will take place at the show.

The show will also feature a NAFEM party on Thursday night, Feb. 27, at the nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United. This will be a don’t-miss event where everyone will gather right on the field and listen to pop rock band OneRepublic play its biggest hits. “The opening party and then NAFEM’s big celebration on Thursday night are both just going to knock everyone’s socks off,” Fox says. “Our team has put a tremendous amount of effort into making it special, fun and invigorating. We’re excited to have everyone attend.”

The NAFEM show takes place Feb. 26-28, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. You can learn more about it and register at thenafemshow.org.

Attend the FEDA Young Industry Leaders Reception at NAFEM

Mingle with fellow ascending and accomplished leaders from dealer and manufacturer companies at the FEDA Young Industry Leaders Reception for NAFEM Show attendees! The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Der Biergarten, 300 Marietta St., Atlanta, a spacious German beer garden and restaurant located across the street from the Georgia World Congress Center.

This event will be open to individuals from FEDA member companies ages 21 to 46. To receive updates and registration information, please fill out the application form at http://www.feda.com/YIL.