American Frozen Food Convention - AFFI-CON 2027
Event Date
February 27 – March 2, 2027
Location
Orlando, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAFFI-CON is the annual convention of the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and bills itself as the premier frozen ingredients show, where frozen food companies meet critical supply chain partners across industrial, retail, and foodservice distribution channels—all under one roof. Rather than a traditional exhibit-floor trade show, AFFI-CON is built around one-on-one business meetings, giving buyers and sellers a rare opportunity to plan an entire year of business in just a few days.
The convention draws professionals in sales and marketing, procurement, category buying, export management, sourcing, operations, supply chain, and trading, as well as company presidents and owners. Attendees range from ingredient suppliers to processors and retailers. According to AFFI, the average attendee holds 40 or more private business meetings during the event.
Beyond meetings, AFFI-CON offers daily educational sessions and networking receptions designed to deepen industry knowledge and expand professional networks. Registered attendees also gain access to a comprehensive online and print attendee directory to schedule meetings in advance and continue building relationships after the event. For anyone with a role in buying or selling in the frozen food supply chain, AFFI positions the event as a business imperative.
Show Highlights
- One-on-one business meetings: The core of AFFI-CON, with the average attendee holding 40+ private meetings arranged in advance through the online attendee directory.
- The Hub: The main AFFI-CON ballroom featuring a Chill Out Zone with first-come, first-served seating and high-top tables, plus hospitality stations and the AFFI Booth.
- Company Showcases: Exhibit-style spaces where attendees can learn about service providers across the frozen food industry.
- Meeting spaces: Private suites, meeting rooms, negotiation nooks, and semi-private tables available for reservation to conduct dedicated business meetings.
- Education & networking: Daily educational sessions, Lunch and Learns, hot-topic sessions, a Welcome Reception, and the Dueling Piano Bash.
- Dining Concierge: A service to help book local restaurants for client dinners and team gatherings.
Attendance
AFFI reports that AFFI-CON typically brings together over 1,600 attendees from more than 500 different companies each year. Attendee job titles commonly include sales and marketing, procurement, category buyers, export managers, sourcing, operations, supply chain, traders, and company presidents and owners, spanning ingredient suppliers, processors, and retailers.
Registration
Registration is completed online through the AFFI-CON registration page, and AFFI encourages attendees to complete the registration questions thoroughly so they appear under the correct filters in the attendee directory. Group registration is available via a step-by-step group registration guide that lets teams register and pay together.
Key points for registrants:
- All individuals participating in business meetings must be registered and wear an AFFI-CON badge; security enforces this policy and non-registrants will be asked to register onsite at the current rate.
- Registrations may be transferred by contacting events@affi.com if you cannot attend.
- For the 2026 event, full refunds were available through December 31, 2025, after which all sales became final. Attendees should confirm the current cycle's deadlines when registering.
- After registering, attendees can reserve meeting space and book a hotel room in the AFFI-CON block at the host hotel.
History
AFFI-CON is produced by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), the only national trade association that advocates solely on behalf of the frozen food and beverage industry. The convention has become established as the premier gathering for the frozen ingredients supply chain, consistently drawing more than 1,600 attendees from over 500 companies each year. AFFI has published a multi-year schedule of future host cities, alternating primarily between Orlando, Florida, and San Diego, California, including editions planned through 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is AFFI-CON 2027 taking place?
AFFI-CON 2027 is scheduled for February 27 through March 2, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Orlando, Florida.
Who should attend AFFI-CON?
AFFI-CON is designed for anyone with a role in buying or selling products and services in the frozen food supply chain. Typical attendees hold titles in sales and marketing, procurement, category buying, export management, sourcing, operations, supply chain, and trading, along with company presidents and owners, from ingredient suppliers to processors and retailers.
What makes AFFI-CON different from a traditional trade show?
Rather than a walk-the-floor exhibit show, AFFI-CON is built around pre-scheduled one-on-one business meetings, with the average attendee holding 40 or more private meetings. Attendees use a robust online directory to arrange meetings in advance and describe the event as accomplishing a year's worth of business in just a few days.
How do I register for AFFI-CON?
Registration is completed online through the AFFI-CON registration page, and group registration is available so teams can sign up and pay together. All participants in business meetings must be registered and wear an official AFFI-CON badge.
How many people attend AFFI-CON?
AFFI reports that AFFI-CON typically draws more than 1,600 attendees from over 500 different companies each year.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement