High-impact touchpoints that go beyond booths
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
Where brands and ideas come alive to create meaningful connections.
NEXT isn’t just another trade show, it’s a bold, freshly curated experience where the food, beverage, tech and equipment industries come to connect, taste, test and engage.
NEXT CULINARY STAGE
From fun challenges to serious competitions the NEXT Culinary Main Stage has it. Over $8000 in prize money is up for grabs.
Watch. Learn. Savour. Live demos, high-heat competitions and feature segments with Canada’s top chefs. From creative approaches to Canadian ingredients to fresh ideas for the kitchen, these sessions are designed to spark conversation and leave you with insights you can take back to your own operation.
BAR STAGE
Watch competitors from around the world compete for $15000 USD in the FBA Ascend Open Flair Bartending Championship.
This competition is designed for all levels to compete against one another in one open division, from up-and-coming talent to seasoned professionals. Whether you’re here to compete, learn, or network with the best in the industry, this is your stage to shine!
NEXT TEST KITCHENS
Taste the Future. Try it Yourself. Explore tech, tools and culinary techniques hands-on.
Four TEST KITCHENS spotlighting Chefs and their talents with cutting-edge tech, sustainable solutions, and the newest techniques shaping tomorrow’s menus.
Want to be part of the NEXT Test Kitchens and showcase your talents? Apply Now!
See it. Taste it. Live it.
Step into the flavours, ideas and innovations reshaping food + hospitality. Connect with pros through immersive experiences that spark creativity, share knowledge and highlight the craft and connections driving what’s next.
PANELS + FIRESIDE CHATS
Big Ideas. Real Talk. Lasting Takeaways. Join thought-provoking conversations led by industry veterans, rising talent and the pros who power foodservice from every angle. These sessions go beyond surface-level trends to deliver real learning, fresh insights and inspiring stories, all designed to spark ideas and help you grow alongside the best in the business
MARKETING CONTENT STUDIO
Get Camera-Ready. Learn to Create. Photo and video tutorials, food styling 101, podcasting essentials and digital storytelling workshops — all designed to make content creation approachable and effective for everyone in foodservice—chefs, bartenders, operators and corporate leaders alike. Learn best practices and discover how to turn everyday moments into scroll-stopping content, from perfect plating and quick shots to engaging audio and stories that connect across every channel.
INTERACTIVE GAME AREA
Work Hard. Play Hard. Let Loose. This is your chance to step away from the floor, grab a friend or make a new one, and jump into some friendly competition with games that put your industry smarts, palate, and reflexes to the test.
Don’t miss Western Canada’s bold, new foodservice and hospitality buying show.
Meet the people, taste the flavours, and feel the energy that’s shaping the future of food + drink.