TASN | Texas Association for School Nutrition 2026
Event Date
June 28–30, 2026
Location
Dallas, TX
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe TASN Annual Conference is the flagship yearly event of the Texas Association for School Nutrition (TASN), a professional organization that provides resources that enhance and promote non-profit child nutrition programs for the benefit of Texas school children. The gathering brings together child nutrition professionals from school districts across Texas for education, certification, networking, an awards program, and a large exhibit hall of industry partners.
The conference is a major event within its field. TASN hosts the second largest state school food show in the nation. For exhibitors and sponsors, it offers direct access to decision-makers: the opportunity to target marketing toward hundreds of school district nutrition professionals who make product recommendations and purchasing decisions, representing $1.8 billion in buying power and playing a role in providing the 750 million+ meals served to Texas school children annually.
The most recent edition, themed "Ignite the Light," was held in Grapevine, Texas, and featured an Annual Meeting and Chapter Flag Ceremony, educational sessions, the exhibit hall, awards, and evening celebrations. It is a professional, industry-only event rather than a public consumer show.
Show Highlights
Signature features of the TASN Annual Conference include:
- Educational sessions covering school nutrition operations, compliance, and best practices
- Exhibit hall showcasing foodservice products, equipment, and services from industry partners
- Annual Meeting and Chapter Flag Ceremony recognizing TASN's regional chapters
- Awards and scholarship recognition, along with academy graduate recognition (Administrative Academy and Managers Academy)
- Networking and evening celebrations connecting nutrition professionals and vendors
- The "Ignite the Light" Video Contest, a recurring engagement activity for members
The most recent conference was supported by a range of sponsors, with Hiland Dairy as the Diamond-level partner and additional Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors from the foodservice industry.
Attendance
TASN describes its show as the second largest state school food show in the nation. The organization reports that its audience of Texas school nutrition professionals represents $1.8 billion in buying power and helps provide more than 750 million meals to Texas school children annually. Specific verified attendee headcounts for recent editions were not published on the official sources reviewed.
Registration
Registration and exhibitor information for the TASN Annual Conference is handled through the official TASN website (tasn.net) and its MemberClicks portal. Following the most recent conference, TASN indicated that dates, location, and additional conference information for the next edition will be shared at a later date. Prospective attendees and exhibitors should monitor TASNews and the TASN Annual Conference page for registration openings, pass types, and deadlines.
History
The Texas Association for School Nutrition is a long-established professional organization serving Texas child nutrition professionals. For more than 20 years, TASN has run a certification program to help school nutrition professionals continue their education and reach career goals, drawing on college courses, workshops sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and TASN training seminars. Over time the Annual Conference has grown into what TASN describes as the second largest state school food show in the nation. The most recent edition carried the theme "Ignite the Light" and was held in Grapevine, Texas.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center sits on the shores of Lake Grapevine, centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is one of the largest event venues in the Dallas area. The hotel offers roughly 490,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space, 1,814 newly renovated guest rooms, and 127 newly renovated suites, along with its lakeside event venue, the Glass Cactus. The property features 89 distinct event spaces and meeting rooms. Additional on-site amenities include four-and-a-half acres of indoor garden atriums, four award-winning restaurants and bars, the Relâche Spa, and a fitness center, plus a seasonal 10-acre outdoor water park.
Parking
On-site self-parking and valet parking are available at the Gaylord Texan (fees apply and are subject to change). Published rates have listed self-parking at $25 plus tax and valet at $45 plus tax. Overnight parking typically includes in/out privileges. Note that daily and hourly rates can vary, so confirm current pricing with the venue at the time of the event.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which is the closest airport to the Gaylord Texan, located approximately 6.0 miles from the property. The hotel does not provide shuttle service, so plan for a taxi, rideshare, rental car, or private transfer for the short trip from the airport. Rideshare services operate throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and the City of Grapevine also operates a local shuttle serving designated Grapevine locations.
Nearby Hotels
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center itself serves as the host hotel, with more than 1,800 guest rooms on site, making it the most convenient option for conference attendees. Because the resort is adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, numerous additional hotels are located within a short drive in the Grapevine/DFW Airport area, including:
- Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dallas DFW Airport North/Grapevine
- Various airport-area and Grapevine Mills-area hotels
Historic Downtown Grapevine and Grapevine Mills, both about 2 to 3 miles away, also offer nearby lodging and dining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the TASN Annual Conference held?
The most recent TASN Annual Conference was held in Grapevine, Texas, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, located between Dallas and Fort Worth on the shores of Lake Grapevine. The location for the next edition had not yet been announced at the time of writing.
When is the next TASN Annual Conference?
The 2026 conference has concluded. TASN has stated that dates, location, and additional conference information for the next edition will be shared soon, so prospective attendees should watch TASNews and the official TASN website for updates.
Who should attend the TASN Annual Conference?
The conference is designed for Texas school district child nutrition professionals, along with industry partners, suppliers, and sponsors who serve the school foodservice market. It is a professional, industry-focused event and is not open to the general public.
Why is the TASN Annual Conference worth attending or exhibiting at?
TASN hosts what it describes as the second largest state school food show in the nation. Exhibitors gain access to hundreds of school nutrition decision-makers who represent an estimated $1.8 billion in buying power and help serve more than 750 million meals to Texas school children each year.
How do I register or exhibit at the TASN Annual Conference?
Registration, exhibit, and sponsorship information is managed through the official TASN website (tasn.net) and its MemberClicks portal. Details for the upcoming edition, including registration and exhibitor opportunities, are published there once announced.
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