SupplySide West and its year-old companion show Food ingredients North America are the newest trade show victims of coronavirus. The co-located shows, devoted to ingredients, today (July 28) canceled their event, which was scheduled for Oct. 27-30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“The conclusion was not one that was reached easily,” said show organizer Informa Markets. “However, with the health and safety of industry colleagues and customers in mind, as well as continued restrictions on travel and gatherings, the SupplySide team made the decision to act now to allow industry partners time to adjust their plans.”

In response, SupplySide is launching a virtual platform: SupplySide Network 365. While it doesn’t sound like it’s positioned as a full replacement – as the Institute of Food Technologists tried two weeks ago, replacing its annual show with a virtual event – this platform “offers people and companies the opportunity to Discover, Connect, Meet, Learn and Source,” Informa continued.

SupplySide West has been growing over its 25 years, and last year it was joined for the first time by Food ingredients North America, the New World version of its successful Food Ingredients Europe.

At last years show, five new ingredients piqued our interest: canola protein, palm fruit bioactives, Carnosyn, native whey and sacha inchi.