Gluten Free Expo 2026
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About this event
Gluten Free Expo 2026
Event type: Consumer food expo, retail sampling, specialty food brands, health-conscious purchasing, grocery distribution, bakery innovation, celiac-safe product discovery
Estimated attendance: Typically a mix of consumers, food buyers, retailers, distributors, nutrition-focused professionals, and brand representatives. For 2026, a reasonable working estimate for a strong regional expo is 5,000 to 20,000+ footfall depending on city, marketing push, and number of exhibitors. Final estimate should be validated once the host city and venue are confirmed.
1️⃣ Who attends: Buyers / Attendees
This event is usually attended by a very buyer-rich audience because gluten-free is both a consumer demand category and a retail/brand growth category. The attendee mix normally includes end consumers, but from a business-list perspective, the most valuable attendees are the professionals who influence purchasing, stocking, formulation, distribution, and brand partnerships.
Primary attendee groups:
- Natural and specialty food buyers
- Retail category managers
- Grocery chain merchandising teams
- Private label and co-packing decision-makers
- Food manufacturers and product development teams
- Distributors and wholesale buyers
- Bakery and snack brand owners
- Nutritionists, dietitians, and wellness consultants
- Celiac advocacy groups and health-focused organizations
- Restaurant and café operators looking for gluten-free menu expansion
- E-commerce food sellers and marketplace brands
- Packaging, labeling, and ingredient suppliers
For list-selling purposes, the most valuable buyers are not casual shoppers. The strongest records are usually retail buyers, foodservice buyers, brand owners, category managers, product development leaders, and distribution executives.
2️⃣ Where the show is happening + attendee geographic origin
The exact venue and city for Gluten Free Expo 2026 should be confirmed from the organizer’s official event page. Once the location is known, attendee geography can be mapped more precisely.
In most gluten-free expos, the geographic mix is usually a blend of:
- Local: Consumers and small businesses from the host city and nearby suburbs
- Regional: Retailers, distributors, and specialty food brands from the surrounding state or province
- National: Brands, category managers, and ingredient suppliers traveling from across the country
- International: Selected specialty brands, imported food companies, and global ingredient vendors if the event is well established
Best geographic targeting rule: If this expo is in a major metro, expect a stronger national buyer mix. If it is in a smaller city, the audience may be more local, but still highly relevant because gluten-free buyers often travel for niche food discovery and retail sourcing.
3️⃣ Audience reach: Local / National / Global
Reach type: Usually regional to national, with some global supplier interest.
Gluten-free is a category with broad consumer demand and strong retail adoption. That means the event can attract:
- Local consumers who are brand-aware and highly engaged
- National retail and distribution buyers seeking new product lines
- Global ingredient and manufacturing suppliers looking for market entry
If the event has multiple exhibitor categories such as packaged foods, ingredients, beverage, bakery, supplements, and foodservice solutions, it can function as a national buying event even when the attendee base includes many consumers.
4️⃣ Sample buyer company names + websites
Below is a sample buyer-target table built for attendee-list research. These are the kinds of companies that may be strong fit accounts depending on the client product. Once you share your client website, the list can be narrowed much more accurately.
| Priority | Company | Website | Best Title to Target | Why This is a Good Buyer Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Foods Market | wholefoodsmarket.com | Category Manager, Specialty Grocery Buyer | Strong fit for gluten-free assortment, premium packaged foods, and specialty retail sourcing. |
| 2 | Walmart | walmart.com | Merchandising Manager, Packaged Foods | Large-scale grocery and private label buyer with interest in high-demand specialty food categories. |
| 3 | Target | target.com | Buyer, Grocery & Wellness | Excellent fit for consumer-ready gluten-free snacks, pantry items, and health-forward products. |
| 4 | Kroger | kroger.com | Category Manager, Natural Foods | National grocery chain with specialty and health-conscious product sourcing needs. |
| 5 | Sprouts Farmers Market | sprouts.com | Buyer, Natural & Organic | Very strong fit for gluten-free, clean-label, natural, and wellness-oriented food brands. |
| 6 | Costco Wholesale | costco.com | Buyer, Grocery/Packaged Foods | Bulk retail model supports high-volume gluten-free packaged products and private label opportunities. |
| 7 | Trader Joe's | traderjoes.com | Product Innovation / Grocery Buyer | Known for unique specialty products and strong consumer appeal in allergy-friendly foods. |
| 8 | UNFI | unfi.com | Category Manager, Natural & Specialty Distribution | Major distributor with direct relevance to gluten-free and specialty retail channels. |
| 9 | KeHE Distributors | kehe.com | Natural Foods Buyer / Category Manager | Specialty distribution leader with strong natural, organic, and better-for-you product focus. |
| 10 | General Mills | generalmills.com | Product Marketing Manager, Better-for-You Foods | Large CPG brand with innovation interest in gluten-free and allergy-conscious products. |
| 11 | Kellogg's | kellanova.com | Brand Manager, Snacks / Breakfast | Suitable for gluten-free cereal, snack, and breakfast innovation. |
| 12 | Mondelez International | mondelezinternational.com | Innovation Manager, Snacks | Good fit for packaged snack development, retail trend tracking, and consumer research. |
| 13 | Conagra Brands | conagrabrands.com | Director, Product Development | Strong fit for frozen meals, snacks, and convenience products with gluten-free claims. |
| 14 | Hain Celestial | hain.com | Brand Manager, Health & Wellness Foods | Natural and health-focused portfolio aligns closely with gluten-free category demand. |
| 15 | Bimbo Bakeries USA | bimbobakeriesusa.com | Bakery Innovation Manager | Relevant for gluten-free bakery lines, breads, muffins, and shelf-stable baked goods. |
| 16 | Schär | schars.com | Business Development Manager | Leading gluten-free brand with direct category relevance and retail expansion interest. |
| 17 | Barilla | barilla.com | Marketing Manager, Pasta & Better-for-You | Strong relevance for gluten-free pasta innovation and grocery category expansion. |
| 18 | Bob's Red Mill | bobsredmill.com | Trade Marketing Manager / Retail Sales Manager | Highly aligned with gluten-free baking, pantry, and specialty food buyers. |
Top 5 sample buyer accounts to send first: Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, KeHE Distributors, UNFI, and Schär. These give a balanced mix of retail, distribution, and product-brand demand.
5️⃣ Job profiles, industries & event type
Best job profiles to target:
- Category Manager
- Grocery Buyer
- Specialty Foods Buyer
- Natural Foods Merchandiser
- Director of Product Development
- Brand Manager
- Trade Marketing Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Private Label Manager
- Foodservice Sales Director
- Distribution Manager
- Retail Partnership Manager
- Research & Development Manager
- Ingredient Sourcing Manager
- Nutrition Consultant / Registered Dietitian
- Founder / Owner of Food Brand
Best industries to use from your industry list:
- Food & Beverages
- Food Production
- Retail
- Wholesale
- Import & Export
- Market Research
- Marketing & Advertising
- Packaging & Containers
- Consumer Goods
- Consumer Services
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Hospitality
- Health, Wellness & Fitness
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nutrition-adjacent wellness companies where applicable
Event type fit: This is best treated as a specialty food and wellness purchasing event, not just a consumer show. It can support retail lead generation, distributor outreach, brand awareness, ingredient sourcing, and foodservice expansion.
6️⃣ Estimated attendance / expected footfall
Because the exact venue and organizer scale are not confirmed here, the safest estimate is a range. A gluten-free expo can perform anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands depending on:
- Host city size
- Number of exhibitors and sponsors
- Consumer marketing reach
- Retail and distributor participation
- Whether the event is one-day, two-day, or multi-day
Working estimate: 5,000–20,000+ total visitors. If the event is in a major metro with strong brand participation, the upper end becomes much more realistic.
7️⃣ Key focus areas & buyer engagement
Key focus areas usually include:
- Gluten-free packaged foods
- Allergen-friendly product formulation
- Clean-label and better-for-you snacks
- Bakery and bread alternatives
- Retail shelf placement and product sampling
- Foodservice menu expansion
- Private label gluten-free development
- Distribution and wholesale channel growth
- Ingredient sourcing and manufacturing
- Nutrition, wellness, and celiac-safe positioning
Best buyer engagement angles:
- New product discovery
- Sampling and trial generation
- Retail placement opportunities
- Distributor onboarding
- Private label manufacturing conversations
- Ingredient and formulation partnerships
- Health and wellness brand positioning
The strongest engagement strategy is to focus on buyers who can influence product placement, formulations, distribution, or shelf expansion. That is where the commercial value sits.
8️⃣ Client product review note
To finalize the best buyers for this event, please share your client website first. The correct buyer list depends heavily on what your client sells.
For example:
- If your client sells food ingredients, target product development, sourcing, and innovation teams.
- If your client sells packaging, target brand managers, private label teams, and food manufacturers.
- If your client sells retail media or marketing services, target category managers, brand managers, and trade marketing teams.
- If your client sells nutrition or health products, target wellness retailers, dietitians, and specialty food chains.
- If your client sells distribution or logistics services, target wholesale buyers and supply chain teams.
Once you send the client website, I can review it and narrow this list to the highest-converting buyer companies and job titles for this specific expo.
9️⃣ Industry suggestions based on your industry list
Recommended industry filters for this event:
- Food & Beverages
- Food Production
- Retail
- Supermarkets
- Wholesale
- Import & Export
- Consumer Goods
- Consumer Services
- Health, Wellness & Fitness
- Hospitality
- Restaurants
- Market Research
- Packaging & Containers
- Marketing & Advertising
Final recommendation
Gluten Free Expo 2026 is a strong opportunity for attendee-list sales if the data is segmented correctly. The event is especially valuable for buyer categories connected to specialty retail, grocery, distribution, food production, brand innovation, and wellness-oriented commerce.
Best lead segments: grocery buyers, specialty food category managers, distribution teams, product development leaders, brand managers, private label executives, and foodservice operators.
Overall B2B buyer potential: 8/10 if the event attracts retailers, distributors, and brands; 6/10 if it is mostly consumer footfall. The final score depends on the organizer, venue, and exhibitor mix.
Next step: Please share your client website so I can review the product and give you the best buyers, best titles, and best industries for this exact event.
Data sheet
Gluten Free Expo 2026 – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event date: 19 April 2026
Location: BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Event status: Completed
Research date: 23 June 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Gluten Free Expo 2026 |
| Event Date | 19 April 2026 |
| Event Status | Completed |
| Venue | BMO Centre |
| City | Calgary |
| State / Region | Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Organizer | Organizer not publicly confirmed in the materials available for this brief. |
| Official Event Website | Public current-year event website not verified in this brief. |
| Event Type | Consumer food expo with retail sampling, specialty food discovery, buyer networking, wellness-oriented product education, and grocery/distribution relevance. |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Wellness, Health & Fitness; Hospitality |
| Audience Reach | Primarily Regional, with some National relevance for Canadian specialty food brands, distributors, and category buyers. |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Working estimate: 5,000 to 20,000+ footfall. This range is user-provided reference guidance and not organizer-confirmed. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Estimated. Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer in the materials available for this brief. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect gluten-free brands, health-conscious consumers, grocery and specialty retail stakeholders, foodservice operators, and distribution-channel decision-makers around product discovery, sampling, education, and category expansion. |
About the Event
Gluten Free Expo 2026 appears to be a single-day consumer-facing specialty food event in Calgary focused on gluten-free product sampling, education, and category discovery. Based on the event description provided, it sits at the intersection of consumer packaged foods, wellness purchasing, specialty retail, bakery innovation, and celiac-safe product awareness.
From a B2B lead-generation perspective, the event matters because gluten-free purchasing decisions are shaped not only by end consumers, but also by grocery buyers, natural-food retailers, distributors, foodservice operators, product developers, and nutrition-focused professionals. Even where a show has strong consumer traffic, it can still be commercially valuable for exhibitor targeting, retail placement outreach, category management conversations, distributor recruitment, and regional brand expansion.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural and specialty food buyers | Specialty grocers, health food chains, independent organic retailers | Product listing, assortment expansion, trial orders | High relevance for new product placement and regional distribution growth |
| Retail category managers and merchandising teams | Grocery chains, mass retailers, pharmacy retailers, club formats | Shelf strategy, category margin review, label claims validation | Very strong for brands seeking chain expansion or private label conversations |
| Distributors and wholesale buyers | Regional food distributors, specialty importers, wholesale supply firms | Route-to-market selection, distribution onboarding, territory coverage | Critical for scaling beyond direct-to-consumer sales |
| Food manufacturers and product development teams | Packaged food companies, bakery producers, snack manufacturers, co-packers | Formulation review, ingredients sourcing, label compliance, innovation benchmarking | Relevant for ingredient suppliers, testing providers, and manufacturing partners |
| Private label and co-packing decision-makers | Retailers, contract manufacturers, brand incubators | SKU development, packaging formats, minimum order review | Good fit for packaging, formulation, and manufacturing service providers |
| Restaurant and café operators | Quick-service chains, bakeries, cafés, local foodservice operators | Menu expansion, ingredient sourcing, safe handling requirements | Useful for ready-to-serve products, bakery lines, and cross-contact-safe solutions |
| Nutritionists, dietitians, and wellness professionals | Clinics, hospitals, private practice, wellness networks | Advisory influence over product recommendation and dietary compliance | Strong referral and brand-trust channel for celiac-safe and health-positioned products |
| Celiac advocacy and health-focused organizations | Nonprofits, advocacy groups, community support organizations | Educational endorsement, awareness building, community trust | Important for partnership, education, and community credibility |
| E-commerce food sellers and marketplace operators | Online specialty grocers, direct-to-consumer brands, marketplace sellers | Product curation, online assortment management, repeat-order strategy | Useful for digital channel expansion and niche product discovery |
| End consumers with medically required or lifestyle-driven gluten-free needs | Individual shoppers and families | Direct purchase behavior, product trial, word-of-mouth promotion | High sampling value, but lower B2B direct buying authority than trade buyers |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | Local consumers, grocery professionals, independent retailers, foodservice operators | High | Primary event catchment due to venue accessibility and local retail density |
| Alberta | Visitors from Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and surrounding communities | High | Strong regional relevance for food retail, wellness markets, and specialty distribution |
| Western Canada | Attendees from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba | Medium | Most relevant for brands seeking prairie and western distribution coverage |
| National Canada | Canadian brands, category managers, and distributors with multi-province mandates | Medium | National reach is plausible, but not publicly confirmed in this brief |
| International | Limited, mainly from brand partners, ingredient suppliers, or imported specialty food interests | Low | No confirmed international attendee mix was available in the materials reviewed |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | Primary classification | The Calgary location and event format suggest strongest pull from local and Alberta-based audiences, with broader Western Canada interest for specialty food distribution and retail sourcing. |
| National | Secondary relevance | National relevance is likely for Canadian gluten-free brands and grocery/distribution stakeholders, but public confirmation was not available in this brief. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
Prior-year official buyer or attendee lists were not verified in the materials available for this brief. The organizations below are strong market-fit prospecting targets for gluten-free retail, distribution, wellness, and foodservice outreach in Canada. They should not be treated as confirmed attendees for the 2026 edition.
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loblaw Companies Limited | National grocery retailer | Major Canadian grocery buyer with private label and specialty diet assortment potential | loblaw.ca | Category Manager, Senior Merchant, Director of Procurement | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sobeys Inc. | National grocery retailer | Relevant for chain-wide specialty food listings and wellness-category growth | sobeys.com | Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Walmart Canada | Mass retail grocery buyer | Large-volume consumer packaged goods buyer with growing health-oriented assortments | walmart.ca | Buyer, Category Manager, Merchandising Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Costco Wholesale Canada | Club retailer | Relevant for high-volume packaged foods, snacks, bakery, and pantry innovation | costco.ca | Buyer, Category Manager, Procurement Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Save-On-Foods | Western Canadian grocery retailer | Strong regional fit for Western Canada specialty food placement | saveonfoods.com | Category Manager, Merchandising Manager, Wellness Buyer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Safeway Canada | Grocery retailer | Relevant for grocery merchandising, bakery alternatives, and free-from categories | safeway.ca | Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Regional Merchandiser | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Whole Foods Market Canada | Natural and specialty retailer | High fit for premium gluten-free, natural, and wellness-positioned brands | wholefoodsmarket.com | Forager, Category Buyer, Local Vendor Program Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Calgary Co-op | Regional grocery cooperative | Highly relevant local buyer organization for Calgary-area retail placement | calgarycoop.com | Category Manager, Procurement Lead, Merchandising Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Spud.ca | Online grocery and specialty food retailer | Useful for direct-to-consumer grocery channel expansion and niche product curation | spud.ca | Category Manager, Vendor Manager, Merchandising Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| UNFI Canada | Natural foods distributor | Relevant for scaling specialty food brands through natural and independent retail channels | unfi.com | Category Director, Sourcing Manager, Supplier Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sysco Canada | Foodservice distributor | Relevant for gluten-free menu expansion in restaurants, cafeterias, and institutional channels | sysco.ca | Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Culinary Solutions Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Gordon Food Service Canada | Foodservice distributor | Relevant for institutional and restaurant adoption of gluten-free items | gfs.ca | Category Manager, Product Manager, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Buying | Manager / Director | Controls shelf assortment and evaluates product fit, pricing, and category growth potential |
| 2 | Buying Manager | Procurement / Merchandising | Manager | Responsible for vendor selection, purchase volume, and retail onboarding discussions |
| 3 | Director of Procurement | Procurement | Director | Relevant for larger chains, distributors, and foodservice groups evaluating supplier relationships |
| 4 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Sourcing | Manager | Important for distributor and manufacturing-side supplier onboarding and cost review |
| 5 | Merchandising Director | Merchandising | Director / VP | Shapes category presentation, brand positioning, and in-store promotion strategy |
| 6 | Product Development Manager | R&D / Product | Manager / Director | Relevant for gluten-free formulation, co-manufacturing, ingredients, and innovation partnerships |
| 7 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Useful in foodservice, manufacturing, and distribution environments where process safety matters |
| 8 | Supply Chain Director | Supply Chain | Director / VP | Important for logistics, inventory planning, and regional distribution scale-up |
| 9 | Dietitian / Nutrition Program Lead | Clinical / Wellness | Professional / Manager | Influences product recommendations, compliance credibility, and community trust |
| 10 | Business Development Director | Business Development / Partnerships | Director | Relevant for distributor recruitment, co-branding, and channel partnerships |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core fit for packaged food brands, beverage brands, and retail food buyers | Retail listings, product sourcing, category growth |
| 2 | Food Production | Fits manufacturers, co-packers, and formulation-led businesses | Co-manufacturing, formulation, plant-based and gluten-free innovation |
| 3 | Retail | Relevant for chain buyers, specialty stores, and e-commerce grocery sellers | Shelf placement, assortment optimization, vendor onboarding |
| 4 | Wholesale | Fits wholesale buyers and reseller networks | Bulk purchase and reseller channel expansion |
| 5 | Import & Export | Relevant for specialty food importers and cross-border sourcing partners | Market entry and product distribution |
| 6 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Supports distribution and fulfillment of packaged food products | Warehousing, fulfillment, route-to-market support |
| 7 | Restaurants | Fits foodservice operators expanding gluten-free menu options | Menu sourcing and safe-serve ingredient procurement |
| 8 | Hospitality | Relevant for hotels, catering, and venue food operations | Guest dietary accommodation and menu diversification |
| 9 | Health, Wellness & Fitness | Applies to nutrition-oriented outlets, health stores, and wellness practitioners | Referral, education, and health-positioned product sales |
| 10 | Hospital & Health Care | Relevant where clinical dietitians influence purchasing or product recommendation | Therapeutic diet support and patient nutrition guidance |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 5,000 to 20,000+ | Estimated | User-provided working estimate | Useful only as planning guidance until organizer data is published or verified |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unverified | No official exhibitor directory reviewed in this brief | Requires organizer brochure or exhibitor list |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unverified | No official buyer-registration data reviewed in this brief | Important gap for attendee-list quality assessment |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unverified | No official agenda reviewed in this brief | Consumer expos may have limited formal speaker programming |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unverified | No official sponsor roster reviewed in this brief | Could help identify active commercial partners once verified |
| Historical attendance | Not verified | Historical / prior-year evidence unavailable in this brief | No official prior-year attendance source reviewed | Needs prior-year event recap, media release, or exhibitor prospectus |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail sourcing | Differentiated gluten-free products with repeat purchase potential | Buyer meetings, in-store test programs, regional listing pitches | Packaged foods, snacks, bakery, pantry staples, frozen items |
| Bakery innovation | Better texture, shelf life, and celiac-safe production processes | Formulation partnerships and co-manufacturing discussions | Ingredients, mixes, processing support, contract baking |
| Grocery distribution | Territory coverage and efficient route-to-market | Distributor recruitment and wholesale account development | Distribution agreements, warehousing, fulfillment |
| Health and celiac-safe positioning | Trustworthy products with clear labeling and dietary compliance | Clinical endorsements, advocacy partnerships, educational marketing | Testing, certification support, transparent packaging claims |
| Foodservice menu expansion | Reliable gluten-free options for restaurants and cafés | Operator trials, chef sampling, distributor-led menu placement | Ready-to-serve items, frozen components, safe-prep solutions |
| Product discovery and sampling | Fast consumer feedback and proof of market demand | Lead capture, trial conversion, shopper insight collection | Sampling programs, DTC conversion tools, promotional offers |
| Private label and co-packing | Low-risk category entry and scalable production | Retailer-manufacturer introductions and formulation review | Private label development, co-manufacturing, packaging support |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | High | The category naturally attracts retail, distributor, wellness, and foodservice stakeholders in addition to consumers. |
| Decision-maker availability | Medium | Because the event appears consumer-facing, some attendee traffic may be end-user heavy rather than executive heavy. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Lead capture can be strong at booth level, but list quality depends on whether B2B registration fields are separated from consumer registrations. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Relevant buyer groups map well to retail, food production, wholesale, distribution, and wellness industries. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Calgary and Alberta provide a clear regional targeting frame for outreach and follow-up. |
| Best outreach approach | High | Use category-specific outreach focused on gluten-free assortment growth, consumer demand proof, and regional distribution opportunities. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong for food brands, ingredients, packaging, distribution, and retail-placement services when filtered for B2B roles. |
| Best use case | High | Best suited for exhibitor targeting, buyer profiling, regional food retail outreach, and distributor prospecting. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | A consumer-heavy attendance mix may reduce pure B2B list precision unless filtered by title, company type, or exhibitor/buyer role. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Food Production; Retail; Wholesale; Import & Export; Logistics & Supply Chain; Restaurants; Hospitality; Health, Wellness & Fitness; Hospital & Health Care | Captures the most likely buyer-side and channel-side organizations relevant to a gluten-free expo |
| Departments | Purchasing, Procurement, Merchandising, Operations, Supply Chain, Product, Business Development | Filters toward practical decision-makers rather than general consumer contacts |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, Head, Owner, Partner | Prioritizes buyers and budget influencers |
| Job titles | Category Manager, Buyer, Buying Manager, Merchandising Manager, Director of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Product Development Manager, Supply Chain Director, Operations Director, Business Development Director, Nutrition Program Lead | Targets listing, sourcing, channel expansion, and product-validation roles |
| Geography | Calgary; Alberta; Western Canada; Canada | Supports regional rollout and practical post-event sales follow-up |
| Employee size | 11-50; 51-200; 201-500; 501-1,000; 1,001-5,000; 5,001+ | Covers independents, regional distributors, and national chains |
| Keywords | gluten free, celiac, allergen friendly, free-from, natural foods, specialty foods, bakery, healthy snacks, wellness foods, private label, co-packing | Improves relevance for specialty dietary and category-specific opportunities |
| Revenue range | Use flexible range based on outreach goal; prioritize mid-market to enterprise for chain placement, and SMB for specialty retail or local foodservice | Aligns prospect list with channel size and deal scope |
| Company type | Public, Private, Cooperative, Franchise, Distributor | Useful for segmenting national chains versus regional operators |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: ("gluten free" OR "free-from" OR celiac OR allergen-friendly OR "specialty food" OR "natural foods" OR bakery OR snacks) AND (buyer OR "category manager" OR procurement OR merchandising OR sourcing OR "product development" OR "business development") AND location filters for Calgary, Alberta, or Canada. For distributor outreach, add terms such as wholesale, grocery distribution, foodservice, regional distribution, and import.
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| User-provided event brief | Client input / provided details | Event name, city, region, country, venue, date range, and reference event description | Medium |
| Official current-year event website | Primary source | Not verified in this brief; recommended next step for organizer, exhibitor list, attendee FAQs, and registration detail confirmation | Pending |
| Official venue website for BMO Centre | Venue source | Recommended for venue confirmation and event-calendar validation | Pending |
| Corporate websites listed in Sample Buyer Companies table | Company source | Used only to identify relevant buyer-side organizations and website domains; not evidence of event attendance | High for company existence; not attendance evidence |
Verification note: This data sheet is suitable for buyer profiling, exhibitor targeting, and Apollo.io prospecting preparation. It is not yet sufficient as a confirmed attendee-list build because no official 2026 organizer directory, exhibitor list, sponsor list, or attendee registration source was verified in the materials available for this brief.
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