Pizza Expo Welcome Sign

My last pilgrimage to Pizza Expo was a cherished memory from 2018 – a pre-pandemic blast filled with insightful seminars, delicious new product discoveries, and invaluable networking with fellow pizza aficionados. It was on that very trip that I forged a lasting friendship with the Chief Marketing Officer of a prominent Midwestern chain, a connection that has endured through the years. Then, as we all remember, March 2020 brought the world to a standstill. Pizza Expo, like so many other gatherings, was cancelled. While the shows gradually began to find their footing again in 2023 and 2024, the atmosphere felt different. Exhibitor participation was understandably lighter during those uncertain times, and it's the exhibitors, with their investment in floor space to showcase innovations and build brand presence, who truly fuel the engine of the show. But oh, what a difference a year makes! This year's Pizza Expo was a resounding, sold-out success. Every single square inch of the Las Vegas Convention Center's Exhibition Hall buzzed with activity. I honestly believe I missed more booths than I had the chance to visit.  I naturally gravitated towards the Bacio, Grande, and Galbani booths. It was wonderful catching up with old friends and seeing their impressive displays. While all three had fantastic setups, Grande truly stood out with their immersive VR experience. Donning an Oculus headset, I was virtually transported to their Wisconsin dairy farm – a truly innovative way to connect with the source of their ingredients.

Galbani, on the other hand, opted for star power, enlisting the charm and expertise of World Pizza Champion Billy Manzo, their Brand Ambassador. Billy is not only a legend in the pizza world but also a genuinely kind and supportive individual, always ready with insightful advice. Many will remember his renowned Federal Hill Pizza in Rhode Island, a culinary landmark he has since closed to embark on an exciting venture into the frozen pizza market. Keep an eye out for his creations in your local supermarket – I have a feeling they'll be a game-changer! Billy wasn't the only celebrity sighting, either. Though our paths didn't cross, the rumor mill was abuzz with the news that Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys was in attendance! Apparently, Nick is exploring the possibility of opening a restaurant. Backstreet Pizza has a catchy ring to it, but perhaps something more classic like Nick's Pizza? Time will tell!

Ultimately, the true measure of any convention lies in the strength of its community, and the Pizza Expo community is simply exceptional. You can register someone's name and hometown with a quick glance at their badge, extend a simple introduction, and be met with a warm "hello" and a genuine "how are you?" – often the starting point of a lasting friendship. Even if the initial exchange is brief, you can be sure that a future encounter will be met with a friendly wave and a smile. The kindness and camaraderie at Pizza Expo are truly remarkable, especially considering the often demanding nature of the restaurant industry. It brings to mind a moment watching Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" and deeply relating to an owner's passionate outburst about the overwhelming number of roles they had to juggle. It shatters one of the more comical misconceptions about restaurant success – the idea that grilling a mean steak on your deck automatically qualifies you to open a thriving steakhouse.  Lmao! The reality is, if you do decide to take that leap, you'll likely find yourself spending less time at the grill and more time training staff, fixing broken toilets, changing air filters, and renewing business licenses.

Pizza Expo, in essence, serves as a vital support system – a collective "shoulder to cry on" for independent pizza operators grappling with the very real challenges that the "deck steak masters" remain blissfully unaware of. It's a reminder that we're all in this together, sharing knowledge, celebrating successes, and offering encouragement in a rough and tumble industry. My return to Pizza Expo this year was a powerful reaffirmation of that spirit, and I'm already counting down the days until the next show (and the mini baccarat tables)!