2024 NGA Show concludes with record attendance, sold-out expo hall

The National Grocers Association and Clarion Events' 2024 NGA Show brought 3,600 grocery retail industry professionals to the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas from March 10-12 for networking and education, plus a sold-out expo hall featuring nearly 350 exhibitors of products, according to a news release.

A new attendance record plus a sold-out exhibition hall made this year’s show the largest such event in the association’s 42-year history, organizers said. The show brought together independent retailers, wholesalers, food retail industry executives, food/CPG manufacturers and service providers from throughout the U.S.

“The NGA Show is truly the place where grocers gather — and gather they did, in record numbers,” Jaime Reesby, vice president for generation and grocery at Clarion Events, said in the release. “Working closely with NGA and its members, we continue to enhance our offerings, from education to networking, to help grocers navigate today’s competitive environment. Initial responses have been glowing and we look forward to continuing to meet and exceed those expectations.”

“The NGA Show continues to grow beyond our expectations, for attendance and exhibitors as well as the extensive on-trend educational offerings," NGA President and CEO Greg Ferrara said in the release. "I’m grateful for the companies that took time away from their stores and distribution centers to discover new ideas, products, trends, and connections to help them drive more growth. The bar continues to rise as we plan our next show for 2025.”

Highlights of the show included:

• The return of the popular Technology Summit and Financial Symposium on Sunday, plus a “Snack and See” session honoring the recipients of NGA’s Creative Choice Awards for excellence in marketing and merchandising, featuring celebrity chef Curtis Aikens as emcee.
• A sold-out expo hall, featuring more than 350 exhibitors and sponsors, where retailers and wholesalers discovered products and services covering the entire spectrum from store design to innovative food products, along with thought leadership theater sessions with expanded educational opportunities beyond the main stage and breakouts.
• The opening keynote address presented by celebrity chef Carla Hall, a dynamic entrepreneur, author and Food Network star whose positive energy, love of food and experiences pushing outside of her comfort zone delivered an enthusiastic kickoff to the show.
• Multiple networking events including the Opening Reception, Best Bagger Championship, and the Closing Celebration at Brooklyn Bowl featuring a Women Grocers of America cocktail hour.
• Co-located with the Independent Grocers Alliance Rally and Indoor Ag-Con.

The education program expanded to offer nearly 50 sessions in main stage, breakout and education theater formats, presented by more than 100 subject matter experts who spoke on a variety of relevant topics, organizers said.

Several awards were presented, including: 

• The Peter J. Larkin Community Service Award to RoNetco Supermarkets of New Jersey. 
• The Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award to Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Arkansas grocery chain Harps Food Stores.
• WGA Woman of the Year Award to Marcy Nathan, creative director at Rouses Markets.
• The Best Bagger Championship, with a grand prize of $10,000, was awarded to Madison Ireland of Harmons Neighborhood Grocer in Utah.
• NGA’s Creative Choice Awards — Winners by popular online vote of the Outstanding Marketer and Merchandiser awards were Michigan-based SpartanNash and Hired Man’s Grocery and Grill in Conway Springs, Kan., respectively. A complete list of winners can be found here.
• Students from the Food Industry University Coalition presented the Student Standout Awards, honoring their choices for the most interesting and valuable products displayed on the expo floor. This year’s winners included Amodex in the Center Store category; Soulful Bee for Fresh Health and Wellness/Pharmacy; Retail Data Systems for Operational Services; Digi America Inc. for Sustainability in Store Design; and Shopic for Technology.
• The Student Case Study Competition, sponsored by UNFI, won by the team from Cornell University.

The 2025 NGA Show will take place Feb. 23-25, 2025, at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.