[chefwriter]

How many of you attend food shows? Yesterday I attended the NYC Food show at the Javits Center. The focus of the show this year was coffee, so half the show had regular vendors and the other half was all coffee based products.
While there was a lot to see, I noticed that overall the show seems smaller than it was years ago with not nearly as many vendors in general and not much repetition of vendors. For example, I saw only one knife maker, one uniform company, etc.
Is this a trend, post pandemic issue or something else?
I will add that NYC is fun to visit regardless.

 

[chefross]

I used to attend the largest food show on the planet in Chicago each year. You couldn't take it all in, in one day. Unfortunately, Covid took care of that.
As for now, it could be the costs involved with transportation, set-up and or planning. But I think the pandemic has a lot to do with it.

 

[chefwriter]

I was considering attending the Chicago show. Not sure it would be worth the expense although I like visiting Chicago all the same. By the way, no one wore masks in the NYC show.

 

[kuan]

I'm going to be in Chicago this year. Probably just whiz through one day and enjoy the rest of the city the rest of the time. I was supposed to be at Expo West but stuff came up at home. My favorite shows are the ACF National conventions.