The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) concluded its 2026 Convention in National Harbor, Maryland, with record attendance and more than 7,500 business appointments. The three-day event brought together frozen and refrigerated foods industry professionals for business meetings, networking, product showcases, and educational sessions.
During the convention, NFRA unveiled its 2030 Strategy, outlining five priorities: strengthening retailer engagement, transforming demand generation, expanding industry insights and best practices, developing leadership, and improving member value. The association also launched a Demand Generation platform designed to integrate promotional activities, support member marketing, and increase consumer demand through retailer engagement.
The event featured the Taste of Excellence reception, where manufacturers and emerging brands presented products to retailers and industry partners. The Penguin Pitch Competition named Folkland Foods the 2026 Emerging Brand of the Year, while DiFara, Frönen, and Skinny Butcher received awards for promotional strategy, product disruption, and packaging creativity, respectively. The Golden Penguin Awards recognized marketing and merchandising achievements across several frozen and refrigerated food promotions.
Educational sessions addressed private brands, artificial intelligence, innovation, leadership development, and changing consumer behavior. Participants in NFRA’s First Penguin Leadership Program presented case studies, while the association’s 82nd Annual Membership Luncheon included elections of officers and board members for the 2026–2027 term.
“With more than 7,500 business appointments conducted, the unveiling of our 2030 Strategy, and the launch of our new consumer demand generation platform, this year’s Convention wasn’t just about making connections. It was about building the future of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry,” said Tricia Greyshock, President and CEO of NFRA. The next NFRA Convention is scheduled for October 9–12, 2027, in San Diego, California, with registration opening March 1, 2027.
