Today is the day! Innovations 2020 registration is open for our customers, national account operators, exhibitors, and employees.
The annual trade show takes place this year on April 17 in St. Louis, Missouri, at America's Center, but the experience goes far beyond the main event for all show-goers.
"Innovations is always the best conference I attend," Jackie Geldman of Hurricane Grill and Wings said. "From all meals, planned events, outside speakers, round table, to shipping samples that are offered on the show floor directly to us via FedEx, everything is top-notch."
Trade Show Manager Christine Iovaldi is one of the Dot Foods team members who plan every moment of Innovations to ensure it surprises and delights every attendee, like Geldman.
"We are bringing forward-thinking concepts in our educational seminars, big entertainment and networking opportunities, and the greatest line-up of exhibitors we have ever had," she said.
Starting on Wednesday, April 15, exhibitors and national account operators will descend on The Lou for an exclusive event at the Gateway Arch.
As the exhibitors are setting up their booths on Thursday, national account operators will be treated to a special keynote by Jack Li of Datassential, a seminar about sourcing and limited time offers, and private booth preview.
Customers are encouraged to make the trip to St. Louis by Thursday afternoon for the hosted educational seminars, such as former Southwest Airlines executive Ginger Hardage's "Unstoppable Cultures: Creating and Sustaining Organizations of Enduring Greatness" and American Trucking Association's Bob Costello's "Transportation in 2020 and Beyond."
Once the education sessions wrap, the night entertainment begins with Dot's Welcome Party and then Rascal Flatts private concert closing out the night. With 17 No. 1 hits and over 27 million records and 11 million tickets sold, Rascal Flatts has also earned over 40 trophies, making them the most-awarded country group of the past decade.
The red-carpet treatment extends to Friday, with Joe Tracy's much-anticipated Industry Update. The keynote will wow audiences and help inform decisions for 2020 and beyond.
The trade show floor opens immediately after the Industry Update, with over 350 exhibitor booths to explore.
"One of the most special parts about our show that sets us apart is that everything thing you see on our show floor can be instantly sourced from Dot," Iovaldi said.
Along with the many exhibitor booth samples to be tasted, attendees will be treated to a hosted Food Truck Friday event, with delicious lunch options available from food trucks parked right on the show floor alongside a colorful display of buffet options.
To wrap up the event, Dot will host a closing celebration at Ballpark Village Friday evening. Attendees will have one last chance to enjoy tasty food and beverages, dance to some live music, and network one last time before the Innovations experience concludes.