Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has launched another overseas initiative. After last January’s edition of SIGEP World at Rimini Expo Center – which, with 1,300 exhibiting brands and operators from 160 countries, confirmed the event’s role as an international Foodservice excellence hub – the leading event for the gelato, pastry & chocolate, coffee, bakery and pizza sectors is taking a further step in its global development. From March 24 to 26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, SIGEP World will be making its debut on the US market with the first edition of SIGEP USA as part of the International Pizza Expo (IPE) organized by Emerald.
The Rimini edition highlighted a growth in internationalization, strengthening SIGEP World’s role as a global platform for top foodservice supply chains and companies amid innovation and new business models.
“With the US debut,” says IEG CEO, Corrado Peraboni, “Sigep’s international network consolidates its presence in the most dynamic global foodservice markets. In 2026, we will also be holding SIGEP China with the roadshow scheduled for spring in Shanghai, and SIGEP Asia from 15 to 17 July in Singapore. The Las Vegas event completes a strategy that covers some of the most strategic areas for the sector’s global development.”
Ilaria Cicero, recently nominated as IEG’s global exhibition director, Food&Beverage Division, comments:
“SIGEP USA is an important step in the international development of the SIGEP brand. After the success of Rimini and the consolidation of the shows in Asia, our debut in the United States will allow us to build an increasingly integrated network between companies, professionals and markets, and consequently enhance the excellence of gelato, pastry, coffee and chocolate supply chains around the world”.
THE U.S. MARKET AND THE POWER OF ITALIANNESS
The US market is one of the main drivers of global Foodservice as well as one of the most important areas for the diffusion of Italian gastronomic culture: the Italian restaurant sector is worth over 112 billion dollars, with 45,000 businesses involved, confirming the strong demand for products and formats linked to Italian cuisine (source: IBISWorld – Italian Restaurants Industry Report). In this scenario, the premium desserts segment inspired by Italian tradition is also growing. In 2024, the United States’ gelato market amounted to approximately $3.6 billion and could exceed $5 billion by 2033 supported by the growing demand for artisanal and authentic desserts linked to Italian food tradition (source: Grand View Research – U.S. Gelato Market Report). Consumer interest in premium, natural and high-quality products is, in fact, driving the growing popularity of artisanal gelato and its presence on Foodservice and catering menus (source: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-gelato-market-report). A high-profit product and a tool that can expand the offer and increase margins.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR PROMOTING ITALIAN EXCELLENCE
SIGEP USA has been organized in collaboration with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, a strategic partner in the international promotion of Italian companies and the enhancement of Made-in-Italy excellence around the world. Another strategic partnership involves Emerald, the organizer of the International Pizza Expo, the most important event for pizza in the United States. Hence, a dialogue between two internationally- renowned symbolic products of Italian cuisine – pizza and artisanal gelato – which will result in new business opportunities for the entire sector.
GELATO A KEY PLAYER ALSO IN THE UNITED STATES
The central role of gelato in the SIGEP world will be confirmed by the Gelato Festival World Masters Grand Finale, which will take place during the International Pizza Expo. This international competition features the world’s best gelato makers. SIGEP, together with Carpigiani, is a strategic partner in the project, which saw the conclusion of the international selections at SIGEP World in Rimini, where the Italian final took place.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES AND THE DEBUT OF SIGEP CLUB
SIGEP USA will feature leading companies in the gelato, pastry, chocolate and coffee sectors, some of which will be joining the SIGEP Club for the first time, a recognition for brands that participate in multiple SIGEP network events around the world. The Club consists of an elite of companies that share an international vision and contribute to building value at all the Sigep brand’s venues.
