Headed to the International Pizza Expo? How to Make the Most of Your Time on the Show Floor

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already booked, badge-registered, and counting down the days until the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas on March 24. 

The Pizza Expo in Las Vegas is one of the most valuable events in the industry, but only if you approach it with intention. With hundreds of booths, nonstop education, and thousands of operators in one place, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or distracted. 

Here’s how to make sure you leave Las Vegas with more than just swag and sore feet.

Go In With a Plan (But Leave Room for Discovery)

Before you step onto the show floor, get clear on what you want out of the event.

Ask yourself:

• Are you looking for new technology or operational improvements?
   
• Are you exploring growth, franchising, or multi-unit scalability?
   
• Are optimized systems, marketing, or profitability top priorities this year?

Having 2–3 focus areas will help you filter noise and spot the right conversations quickly, while still leaving room for unexpected inspiration.

Pro tip: Review the exhibitor list and seminar schedule ahead of time. Star the booths or sessions that align with your goals, so you’re not making decisions on the fly. 

Make sure to stop by Adora POS, Booth #939!

Talk to Vendors Like a Strategist, Not a Shopper

The best value at Pizza Expo isn’t just products, it’s people and partnerships.

When visiting booths, skip the surface-level demos and ask questions like:

• Who is this really built for?
   
• How does this integrate with the systems I already use?
   
• What problems does this solve at scale?
   
• What do your best customers look like?

You’re not just evaluating software, equipment, or services, you’re evaluating long-term fit. The right partners will understand pizza, respect your operation, and speak your language.

Prioritize Education That You Can Actually Use

With so many seminars available, it’s tempting to attend everything. Instead, focus on sessions that offer practical takeaways, not just inspiration.

Look for topics around:

• Operational efficiency
   
• Labor and staffing strategies
   
• Marketing and customer retention
   
• Technology integration
   
• Scaling without losing control

If you walk out with even one idea you can implement within 30 days, the session was worth your time.

Network With Other Operators, Not Just Vendors

Some of the most valuable conversations at Pizza Expo happen outside the booths.

Strike up conversations:

• In seminar rooms
   
• At after-hours events
   
• While waiting in line or grabbing coffee

Other operators are often the best source of insight on what’s working, what’s not, and which partners are actually delivering results.

Don’t be afraid to ask:

• What systems are you using right now?
   
• What’s been your biggest challenge this year?
   
• What booth has impressed you the most so far?

Capture Ideas While They’re Fresh

Between the noise, movement, and nonstop activity, great ideas can disappear fast.

Bring a simple system:

• Notes app with labeled sections (Tech, Marketing, Ops, Follow-Ups)
   
• Photos of booths or badges
   
• Quick voice notes between sessions

When you get home, review everything within 48 hours. That’s when inspiration turns into action.

Measure Success by What You Bring Back, Not What You Pick Up

A successful Pizza Expo isn’t about how many bags you carry out, it’s about what you bring back to your business.

Did you…

• Identify at least one potential long-term partner?
   
• Learn something you can implement immediately?
   
• Gain clarity on where your operation is headed next?

If yes, you did it right!

Final Thought: Be Intentional, Curious, and Open

Pizza Expo is one of the few times each year where the entire pizza industry comes together under one roof. The value is there, but it rewards operators who show up prepared, curious, and focused on growth.

Have great conversations. Ask intentional questions. And most importantly, think about how every idea, tool, or partnership fits into the bigger picture of your business.

We’ll see you on the show floor at Booth #939!