2026 Schedule

Saturday, October 17

7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Convention Registration • Maryland Registration Desk

Sunday, October 18

7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Convention Registration • Maryland Registration Desk

8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Customer Business Meetings •
These business appointments, prearranged by attendees, provide opportunities to meet face-to-face. Attendees must be registered to participate in business appointments. Beverages will be available on the meeting room floors.

9:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Café NFRA open • Cherry Blossom Lobby
This café-style common area is a central place where attendees gather during breaks to relax and conduct informal business meetings.

Check out our interactive industry forums open to all attendees:

8:00 am – 9:30 am • Private Brands Forum •
This forum will dive into the evolving landscape and emerging trends in private label frozen and refrigerated foods.

10:00 am – 11:30 am • Supply Chain Forum • 

10:30 am – 12:00 pm • Marketing Forum • 

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm • Small Business Manufacturers Forum • 
This forum offers small businesses a dedicated space to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities in frozen and refrigerated dairy.

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm • Maryland Ballroom
Taste of Excellence
This popular event serves as a grand opening for the Convention, providing attendees with a relaxed environment to network with colleagues while sampling the most innovative and newest products the industry has to offer.

7:00 pm
Evening open for business entertaining

Monday, October 19

7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Convention Registration • Maryland Registration Desk

7:15 am – 8:45 am
Breakfast Session featuring Class of 2026 First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Presentations • Maryland Ballroom

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Customer Business Meetings
Café NFRA open • Cherry Blossom Lobby

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
NFRA Annual Membership Luncheon • Maryland Ballroom
This luncheon is the official annual business meeting of the Association where newly elected officers and directors will be installed. NFRA Chair Bill Kynast, Chobani, will give an update on the state of the Association.

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Networking Reception • Maryland Ballroom
This relaxed and enjoyable Convention event provides an excellent networking opportunity while celebrating the NFRA membership and their support of our industry.

7:00 pm
Evening open for business entertaining

Tuesday, October 20

7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Convention Registration • Maryland Registration Desk

9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Café NFRA open • Cherry Blossom Lobby

9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Customer Business Meetings •

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Tuesday Golden Penguin Awards Luncheon • Maryland Ballroom
This luncheon will honor the winners of the 2026 Golden Penguin Awards competition. The 2026 Top Marketer Award winners will also be unveiled for the first time.

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Customer Business Meetings •

5:00 pm
Evening open for business entertaining