Kicking off National Pizza Month Together Pizza & Pasta Northeast 2023

October is a big month in the pizza business. It’s National Pizza Month and we end the month with Halloween, one of the biggest pizza sales days of the year. This year, we kick off October at Pizza & Pasta Northeast in Atlantic City on October 1-2. The two packed days of education, competition, marketplace and networking will convene at the Atlantic City Convention Center bringing Pizza Expo energy to the East Coast. 

We’re here to get you ready our northeast trade show and conference. Let’s break it down by PPNE happenings.

Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall is the place to shop, learn about new products and even taste or test drive products. Meet face-to-face with top suppliers in our expo hall. The exhibit hall is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Insider’s Tip: Download the mobile app to explore which exhibitors you want to check out.

Competitions

We’re looking for region’s best pizza, pasta and calzone makers. First is the International Pizza Challenge Northeast that is broken down into Roman, Gluten-Free, Neapolitan (The Fiero Cup) divisions, and the new America’s Best Cheese Slice.

The Northeast Pasta Showdown returns to reward chefs for making the best pasta dish in the Northeast.

The World Calzone Championship is back to crown the best calzone maker.

Young Pizza Maker of the Year debuted last year. It returns to crown a maker of the year between the ages of 16-18.

Insider’s Tip: The competition area isn’t just a spectator sport. Competitors make a pizza for the crowd. Watch for new pies become available after judging.

Seminars and Demonstrations

Beginning Sunday at 8:30 a.m. through Monday at 4 p.m., we have a packed schedule of seminars and demonstrations lead by industry thought leaders. Seminars will cover everything from carryout and delivery and negotiation basics to tinkering with dough and dough formula baker’s percentage. Demonstrations are geared towards how to make artisan breads, New Haven apizza, dough techniques, pasta and more.

Insider’s Tip: Divide and conquer. Assign the team you bring with you different educational sessions to attend and report back on the seminar.

Keynote Addresses

Let us give you the skinny on our Keynotes. Each day at 9:45 a.m., we will bring you an established industry professional with a keynote address that will uplift and motivate you in the pizza business. This year’s keynotes speakers are Melissa Rickman and Will Grant. Melissa is co-founder of Wholly Stromboli in Fort Lupton Colorado. Her keynote is entitled “Embrace Your Slice of Uniqueness: Thriving in the Pizza Business and Beyond.” Will Grant’s keynote “Pizza is Life” follows his legacy in the pizza business. He owns That’s A Some Pizza in Bainbridge Island, Washington and Sourdough Willy’s in Kingston, Washington.

You’ll get a glimpse into how they found success and have grown to become industry leaders. Don’t miss these powerful keynotes.

Insider’s Tip: Go early and find a spot at the front. Think about questions you’d like to ask them during the Q&A session.

Last-minute Details to Get You Ready for PPNE

With so much happening at PPNE, here are a few quick tips to do at the show:

• Download the PPNE App. It’s the best way to plan your PPNE experience.
• Follow @PizzaToday and @PizzaExpo on social as we’ll provide updates from the show.
• Get to the keynotes, seminars and demos early and sit by someone you have never met before and start a conversation. It may just be the best contact you make at the show.
• Want to meet a speaker? Do it! Speakers often stick around after their talks to answer questions.
• Capitalize on every opportunity to network. We are an engaged community. Meet fellow restaurant pros. Discover their stories, ideas and even business pain points.
• Take notes on what you learn and experience at PPNE. Use that knowledge to better your restaurant.

See you in Atlantic City!

If you can’t make it to Atlantic City, we hope you have the biggest National Pizza Month ever.

Don’t forget to save the date for our 40th International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas on March 19-21, 2024.