First-Time Visitors
Is it your first time attending SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America? Not to worry, we have some helpful information, needed resources and great attendee tips that will help prepare you for your time at the show!
Registration
Show Dates & Hours
2022 Show Dates are Monday, October 31- Friday, November 4.
Expo Hall dates are Wednesday, November 2, 10am-5:30pm & Thursday, November 3, 10am-5pm.
Onsite Registration Hours and Locations are:
Monday, October 31
Bayside A and Bayside F Foyer | 7am-5pm
Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk | 7am-3pm
Wednesday, November 2
Bayside A and Bayside F Foyer | 7am-5:30pm
Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk | 8am-3pm
Friday, November 4
Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk | 8-11am
Tuesday, November 1
Bayside A and Bayside F Foyer | 7am-6pm
Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk | 7am-3pm
Thursday, November 3
Bayside A | 8am-5pm
Bayside F Foyer | 8am-1pm
Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk | 8-11am
[Tips & Tricks] Don't want to wait in line?
- Get your badge early! Traffic in the registration areas is extremely heavy leading up to the expo hall opening at 10am on Wednesday, November 2. Stop by registration any time between 7am – 5pm on Tuesday, November 1 to pick up your badge and show materials so you can avoid the rush.
- There are two main registration areas – one in Bayside A and one in the Bayside F Foyer. If you are walking from the hotel, Bayside A registration is closest. If you are getting dropped off via Rideshare or Taxi, Bayside F Foyer registration is closest.
- If you are attending Education, you can also pick up your badge or add sessions at the Lower Level, Islander Registration Desk at the hours noted.
- Have your registration confirmation email open and ready on your phone to scan at Badge Pickup Counter
- If you are staying at the Mandalay Bay, Delano and Luxor, you can pick up your badge when you check in. There will be a counter dedicated to SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America badge pickup within each of these host hotel Registration areas.
- Monday, October 31 | Noon – 8pm
- Tuesday, November 1 | Noon – 8pm
- Stop by one of the mobile carts in the convention space on your way to the Expo Hall.
Navigating the Show
[TIP] Give yourself more time than you think to walk the show floor: Whatever amount of time you think it will take you to get through an expo, double it. Chances are there will be more to see than you think, presentations to watch, meetings that run long, plus time you need for breaks!
[TIP] It’s a big show floor with lots happening and only two days to get as much as possible done! Take the time to create a walking list before you get to the show and sort it by booth numbers to avoid walking the same aisles too many times. The next company you might want to visit may be just an aisle or a few booths away.
[TIP] Booth appointments aren’t necessary, and it’s custom to have drop ins. However, if you want to ensure you speak to a specific person, it’s best to reach out in the weeks before the show to schedule a meeting.
[TIP] Ensure that your badge is flipped the correct way before you walk up to a booth so they can see your name. Talk to anyone in the booth even if they aren’t the exact person you’re looking for; they will get you the help you need or get you to the right person.
[TIP] Make sure you have business cards to hand out and a notepad to take notes because you will never remember as much as you think you will.
[TIP] Use the SupplySide Network 365 mobile app to bookmark exhibitors you want to meet. Then click on "My SupplySide 365" to filter by just those companies you've bookmarked. Connect with members from their company directly through the app.
Get the lay of the land. Check out Mandalay Bay's interactive Convention Center map to familiarize yourself with halls, cooridors and foyers.
[TIP] Be sure to give yourself 10-15 minutes to walk to the Convention Center from the adjacent hotels.
First-Time Visitors Reception
Tuesday, November 1 | 5-7pm
Border Grill at Mandalay Bay
The First-Time Visitor Reception welcomes new show visitors the evening before the show starts. This two-hour reception offers a fun and intimate setting for new participants to meet with industry rock stars, various members of the SupplySide team, show supporters, and other first-timers. SOLD OUT!
Education Program
Tuesday, November 1 - Friday, November 4
Maximize your experience at SupplySide West & Food ingredients North America by attending our indepth education sessions. These two and three-hour sessions are designed to successfully help industry professionals develop effective product development and go-to-market strategies. Whether you are looking for information on the latest market trends, clinical research, formulation considerations or regulatory changes—we’ve got you covered.
+ Don't Miss Our Pre-Show Webinar Series
SupplySide West Trends and Keys to Success with Cassie Smith
Wednesday, October 26 | 11-11:30am PT
What’s happening at SupplySide West | FiNA in 2022? A LOT. Now that the fam is officially back together post pandemic, we have a full roster of exhibitors and events you can’t miss. With over 1,000 booths, 16,000 attendees, as well as hours of education sessions and other events, the whole experience can be a bit overwhelming!
SupplySide’s Senior Content Director Cassie Smith will talk through some of the interesting trends you should see and will provide insider tips to have a show experience that is fun and purposeful. So, write down a few Qs and come hang for a 30-minute, informational convo.
SupplySide West’s Education Sessions with Sandy Almendarez
Thursday, October 27 | 11-11:30am PT
Know what’s cool? Getting smarter. One of the best ways to do that is to visit some of the education sessions happening at SupplySide West | FiNA in 2022!
Our VP of Content Sandy Almendarez will showcase what’s happening in our sessions, who’s speaking, and how to access all the content if you can’t make it in person. Get a 30-minute sneak peek at what you will learn this year and how you and your team can continue to access it post-show.
Other Helpful Tips
BAGGAGE CHECK
Complimentary Baggage and Coat Check is available on the days below in Bayside A. The line can be long leading up to the expo hall opening, so try and drop your bag early if your schedule permits.
Wednesday, Nov. 2 & Thursday, Nov. 3 | 7am-6pm
DOWNLOAD MOBILE APP
Download the SupplySide Network 365 mobile app ahead of the show – you can connect with other SupplySide West visitors and exhibitors directly through the app, view the schedule and exhibitor list, navigate the interactive floorplan and more.
DRESS CODE/ ATTIRE
Attire for SupplySide West is business casual. Temperatures fluctuate in meeting rooms so bring layers. And remember, the Expo Hall is large and concrete - bring multiple pairs of comfortable shoes and alternate the days you wear them to avoid blisters and foot pain.
BRING YOUR WATER BOTTLE
Bring a reusable water bottle! There will be water available throughout the show floor to refill your bottle. Be sure to drink plenty of water during the event. Water stations are provided by our Official Water Sustainability Sponsor: Aker BioMarine.
PLACES TO EAT
There are two concession stands open on the show floor – one in Bayside C near the SupplySide Stage, and one near the back of FiNA.
The food court offers grab-and-go options, including a Subway that is open 24 hours if you need a late night snack!
If you are wanting to go to dinner at one of the restaurants on property, make a reservation in advance. The hotel is very busy with other guests and restaurants get booked quickly.
BUT FIRST...COFFEE
The line at Starbucks at the start of the Convention Space can get extremely long in the mornings. Allow yourself enough time to stand in line.
There is another coffee stand if you keep walking towards the Expo Hall near Shark Reef and the Food Court.
If you’re staying at Luxor, consider stopping at the Starbucks in the Food Court to avoid the Convention Center rush. There is a cafe at Delano which also serves coffee, open at 6am daily.
Hazel Coffee & Cocktails serves coffee and breakfast items and it’s located right outside of the Mandalay Bay elevator bank. An easy to miss gem!
Pardon Our Dust!
The Mandalay Bay Convention Center is receiving a refresh and a few of the public spaces will be under renovation during SupplySide West & Food ingredients North America. All construction will take place overnight and won’t be heard in guest rooms, but you might notice mismatched finishes while you’re onsite.
Additionally, the StripSteak restaurant will be closed during the show. We strongly encourage you to make restaurant reservations early as we anticipate Mandalay Bay restaurants being busier than normal due to StripSteak’s impairment.
(P.S. Don’t worry…you can still get a steak! Adjacent restaurants are enhancing their menus to include more steak options.)
