Pizza Expo 2026 to Host Gelato Festival World Masters’ Grand Finale, Uniting Marquis Events for Italian Foods Under One Roof

The International Pizza Expo & Conference, the world's leading pizza industry trade show for 42 years, returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 24–26, 2026.

Presented by Pizza Today magazine and produced by Emerald, a leader in dynamic industry trade shows, the International Pizza Expo has for decades served as the essential annual gathering where the global pizzeria ecosystem convenes to adapt, innovate, and thrive. In a universally beloved yet ever-evolving industry, the Pizza Expo is trusted by pizzeria owners, their suppliers, and industry innovators as the focal point for all things powering the business of pizza.

The largest pizza-related gathering in the world, Pizza Expo attracts more than 10,000 pizza industry professional attendees each year, primarily consisting of pizzeria owners and more than 500 exhibitors. Key events occurring within Pizza Expo include the International Pizza Challenge and World Pizza Games, featuring competitions such as the Pizza Maker of the Year, World's Best Cheese Slice, Largest Dough Stretch, Fastest Box-Folding, and Freestyle Acrobatic Dough-Tossing, among many emerging competitions, including the Daiya Dairy-Free Competition to cater to those with dietary restrictions.

Pizza Expo 2026 takes place in a significantly larger space, with the most notable addition being the Gelato Festival World Masters' Grand Finale. Founded in Florence, Italy in 2010, the Gelato Festival World Masters is recognized as the world's premier competition celebrating artisan gelato, conducting local qualifying rounds across dozens of countries each year before culminating in a Grand Finale that crowns the world's Best Gelato Master. The 2026 edition marks a historic milestone: for the first time in the event's 16-year history, the Grand Finale will be held in the US— taking place at Pizza Expo on March 26, featuring 34 finalists representing 18 countries.

Additionally, Pizza Expo will host the first-ever SIGEP USA, organized by the Italian Exhibition Group, bringing Italian artisanal excellence and innovation to the pizza and food service sectors.

“Today’s pizzeria operators must continue to innovate to meet consumers where they are, whether it’s embracing the growing regionalization of pizza or addressing evolving dietary and portion control preferences – all while navigating the inherent challenges of running a restaurant business in an era of shifting trade policy and global supply chain complexity,” said Bill Oakley, Show Director. “At Pizza Expo, we’re proud to be where the industry comes to learn, network, and get answers.”

Added Oakley: “We’re also incredibly excited to continue to grow our event by adding the Grand Final of the Gelato Festival World Masters and SIGEP USA to our agenda, linking iconic Italian foods together under one roof for the very first time. This is a natural extension of our work that will remain part of our event for years to come.”

"The Grand Finale of Gelato Festival World Masters is a global stage celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the future of artisan gelato," said Gabriele Poli, Founder of Gelato Festival. "Hosting it within the International Pizza Expo represents a historic milestone and strategic step toward expanding authentic gelato culture across the United States, and we are grateful to the Italian Trade Agency, Sigep and Carpigiani for making it possible."

Beyond its vast exhibit hall, Pizza Expo’s educational programming includes 13 hands-on workshops, 12 live demonstrations, 40 in-depth seminars, and 2 keynote presentations, all designed to help pizzeria owners and operators sharpen their skills and grow their businesses.

Industry leaders Tony Gemignani, Mike Bausch, Laura Meyer, David Scott Peters, Joe and Jacob Bartoli, and Enzo Coccia will host expert sessions covering everything from dough fermentation and menu development to marketing and business growth strategies.

There will be 17 new expert speakers joining Pizza Expo for the first time, including James Beard Award winner and Michelin-starred chef Wylie Dufresne; and Hengam and Matt Stanfield of Mattenga’s Pizzeria, voted Best Pizza in San Antonio in each of the past two years.

For more information about the International Pizza Expo and how to register to attend, visit pizzaexpo.com.

About International Pizza Expo & Conference: The annual International Pizza Expo remains unchallenged as the industry’s largest event. Thousands of pizzeria professionals convene in Las Vegas, Nevada, each year for 3 days dedicated to all things pizza. Suppliers from across the globe, networking and educational sessions led by top industry professionals, and international competitions round out this unrivaled event. Visit https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com for more information.

About Gelato Festival World Masters: The Gelato Festival World Masters, founded in Florence, Italy, in 2010, is the world's premier artisan gelato tournament. Over 15 editions, more than 10,000 Gelato Masters have competed through hundreds of qualifying events across five continents, with the Grand Finale crowning the world's Best Gelato Master every four years. The event has also given rise to Gelato Festival, a premium gelato brand sold through hospitality groups and retailers across the United States. worldmasters.gelatofestival.com

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