Refrigerated Foods Association - RFA
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Refrigerated Foods Association - RFA — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds
About this event
Data sheet
Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: February 14–17, 2027
Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA, United States
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: July 2, 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) 46th Annual Conference & Exhibition |
| Event Date | February 14–17, 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Rancho Bernardo Inn |
| City | San Diego |
| State / Region | California |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Refrigerated Foods Association |
| Official Event Website | refrigeratedfoods.org/rfa-conference |
| Event Type | Conference and exhibition |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Logistics & Transportation; Business Services; Environment & Waste |
| Audience Reach | National, with selective international relevance to prepared refrigerated foods supply chains |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium. Date, venue, and event format are confirmed; attendance is not publicly stated on the official page. |
| Main Purpose of Event | Industry networking, education, regulatory/food safety updates, technical learning, and supplier relationship building for prepared refrigerated food companies. |
About the Event
The Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA) Annual Conference & Exhibition is the association’s flagship gathering for manufacturers and suppliers of prepared refrigerated food products. The official event page confirms the 46th Annual Conference will take place at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California, from February 14–17, 2027.
This event matters because it brings together decision-makers focused on food safety, manufacturing, distribution, regulatory compliance, traceability, and operational excellence in chilled foods. It is especially relevant for suppliers serving plant operations, ingredients, packaging, cold-chain logistics, sanitation, traceability systems, and compliance-focused services. For B2B lead generation, the conference is attractive because attendees are likely to include technical, operations, procurement, and executive stakeholders who influence purchase decisions across the refrigerated foods value chain.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Prepared food manufacturers, ingredient buyers, packaging buyers, co-manufacturers | Specification, vendor selection, contract negotiation, supplier consolidation | High-value audience for ingredients, packaging, equipment, and logistics suppliers |
| Operations leaders | Plant managers, VP Operations, manufacturing directors | Operational efficiency, throughput, quality, labor planning | Strong fit for automation, sanitation, maintenance, and plant service providers |
| Food safety and quality teams | QA directors, FSQA managers, regulatory compliance teams | Compliance, audit readiness, traceability, recall prevention | Ideal for lab testing, sanitation, QA software, and consulting providers |
| Supply chain and logistics teams | Cold chain operators, logistics managers, distribution leaders | Transportation, warehousing, network design, service-level control | Relevant for refrigerated transport, warehousing, visibility, and routing solutions |
| Executive leadership | CEOs, presidents, owners, general managers | Strategic investment, partnership approval, expansion priorities | Important for enterprise deals, strategic services, and long-cycle sales |
| R&D and product development | Innovation teams, food scientists, product managers | New product development, formulation, shelf-life and packaging decisions | Relevant for ingredients, functional additives, packaging, and testing services |
| Regulatory and government affairs | Compliance officers, policy managers, legal/regulatory leads | Regulatory response, advocacy, government communication | Relevant for legal, lobbying, traceability, and food safety advisory firms |
| Association and industry leaders | Association executives, standards bodies, partner organizations | Networking, standards alignment, collaboration | Useful for partnership development and thought leadership |
| Media and analysts | Trade media, market analysts, editorial teams | Industry coverage, trend amplification, sponsor visibility | Relevant for PR, brand awareness, and category education |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city | San Diego, CA metro attendees and regional Southern California companies | Medium | Local participation is likely but the event is association-driven, not strictly local. |
| Host state / region | California food manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers | High | California is a major food production and distribution market. |
| Nearby business hubs | Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Phoenix, Las Vegas | Medium to high | Strong regional cold-chain and food processing footprint. |
| National reach | Prepared refrigerated food companies across the U.S. | High | RFA mission and topic mix indicate national business relevance. |
| International reach | Limited but possible among suppliers and technical partners | Low to medium | Official page references an international tour, but conference is primarily U.S.-focused. |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The association serves prepared refrigerated food companies, which typically source and sell across U.S. markets. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft Heinz | Food manufacturer | Large-scale chilled and prepared food procurement, packaging, and supply chain needs | kraftheinzcompany.com | VP Procurement, Director Supply Chain, QA Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Conagra Brands | Packaged food manufacturer | Prepared and frozen food operations align with refrigerated foods buyer needs | conagrabrands.com | Procurement Manager, Plant Manager, Packaging Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Nestlé USA | Food manufacturer | Broad refrigerated food portfolio and complex supplier ecosystem | nestleusa.com | Strategic Sourcing Lead, FSQA Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hormel Foods | Food manufacturer | Prepared and refrigerated foods require procurement, operations, and compliance solutions | hormelfoods.com | Director Procurement, VP Operations, Food Safety Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tyson Foods | Protein and prepared foods manufacturer | Cold-chain, sanitation, food safety, and large plant procurement relevance | tysonfoods.com | Procurement Director, Plant Manager, Compliance Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sargento Foods | Dairy/cheese processor | Refrigerated product handling, packaging, and food safety requirements | sargento.com | Procurement Manager, QA Director, Operations VP | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The J.M. Smucker Co. | Food manufacturer | Prepared foods and branded food operations create sourcing and compliance demand | jmsmucker.com | Strategic Sourcing Director, Plant Operations Director, QA Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| McCain Foods | Frozen and chilled food manufacturer | Cold-chain and food processing operations align strongly with RFA themes | mccain.com | Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Director, Plant Engineering Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sysco | Foodservice distributor | Distribution, cold chain, and supplier management are directly relevant | sysco.com | Category Manager, Distribution Director, Procurement VP | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| US Foods | Foodservice distributor | Procurement, logistics, and chilled inventory handling are core priorities | usfoods.com | VP Supply Chain, Category Manager, Sourcing Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Kroger | Retail grocery buyer | Refrigerated and prepared foods category management is highly relevant | kroger.com | Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Supply Chain VP | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Albertsons Companies | Retail grocery buyer | Perishable and refrigerated assortment, supplier quality, and category management fit the event | albertsonscompanies.com | Merchandising Manager, Sourcing Director, QA Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VP Procurement / Chief Procurement Officer | Procurement | VP / C-level | Owns supplier strategy, contracting, and cost reduction. |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Director / Manager | Directly sources ingredients, packaging, and services. |
| 3 | VP Operations / Operations Director | Operations | VP / Director | Influences plant productivity, service providers, and capital spend. |
| 4 | QA / FSQA Director | Quality / Food Safety | Director / Senior Manager | Key stakeholder for compliance, testing, sanitation, and audit readiness. |
| 5 | Plant Manager / Manufacturing Manager | Manufacturing | Manager / Director | Controls plant execution, maintenance, and production improvements. |
| 6 | Supply Chain Director / Logistics Manager | Supply Chain | Director / Manager | Relevant for cold chain, warehousing, and transportation solutions. |
| 7 | Director of Engineering / Maintenance Manager | Engineering / Maintenance | Manager / Director | Influences equipment uptime, sanitation systems, and capital projects. |
| 8 | Product Development / R&D Manager | R&D / Innovation | Manager / Director | Evaluates ingredients, formulation, packaging, and shelf-life enhancements. |
| 9 | Regulatory Affairs Manager / Compliance Director | Regulatory / Legal | Manager / Director | Important for traceability, labeling, and policy updates. |
| 10 | Category Manager / Merchandising Director | Merchandising / Category Management | Manager / Director | Relevant for retail and foodservice buyers of refrigerated products. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core industry served by the association | Manufacturers, processors, and branded chilled foods teams |
| 2 | Food Production | Operational focus on prepared refrigerated food manufacturing | Plant operations, sanitation, QA, and production efficiency |
| 3 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Cold-chain distribution is central to the category | Transportation, warehousing, and visibility solutions |
| 4 | Packaging & Containers | Packaging is a major spend area for refrigerated foods | Primary and secondary packaging vendors |
| 5 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Plant and operational supplies are commonly sourced | MRO, sanitation, and facility operations vendors |
| 6 | Environmental Services | Food plants need waste, water, and sustainability support | Waste management, wastewater, and environmental compliance |
| 7 | Industrial Automation | Manufacturing productivity and labor optimization are key themes | Automation, controls, sensors, and plant optimization tools |
| 8 | Information Technology & Services | Traceability, compliance, and systems integration are important | ERP, QA software, traceability, and analytics vendors |
| 9 | Management Consulting | Operational, regulatory, and supply-chain strategy support | Advisory and transformation services |
| 10 | Government Administration | Regulatory and policy engagement are part of the mission | Public policy, standards, and regulatory-facing outreach |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. | Confirmed non-disclosed | Official conference page | No public attendee count was stated on the official event page provided. |
| Exhibitor count | Not yet publicly confirmed | Expected / pending release | Official page states exhibit hall reservations will be taken in late summer | Current exhibitor list not available in source text. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | No public buyer list supplied | Use buyer-proxy targeting by role and industry. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | No agenda/speaker roster included in provided source text | Speaker count may be released with registration details. |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Official page notes sponsorships will be available | No public sponsor roster yet. |
| Historical attendance | Not stated in provided official content | Unavailable | Official website content reviewed | Use only when organizer publishes historical attendance. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food safety | Reduce risk, improve compliance, prepare for inspections | Educational sessions and product demos | Testing, sanitation, HACCP, compliance consulting |
| Traceability | Track ingredients and finished goods faster and more accurately | System comparison and case-study proof | Traceability software, labeling, serialization |
| Supply chain resilience | Avoid disruptions in chilled and frozen distribution | Executive outreach and networking | Cold-chain logistics, warehousing, routing tools |
| Packaging innovation | Extend shelf life and improve sustainability | Sampling and technical discussion | Flexible packaging, trays, seals, protective materials |
| Plant efficiency | Improve throughput, labor productivity, uptime | Operations-led meetings and ROI discussion | Automation, equipment service, maintenance solutions |
| Regulatory updates | Keep current with FDA/USDA and industry guidance | Workshop sponsorship or subject-matter content | Regulatory consulting, legal services, policy support |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The association serves manufacturers and suppliers in a highly specialized food category with clear purchasing needs. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Procurement, operations, QA, and executive stakeholders are likely to attend or be represented. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Current-year lists are not public yet; lead generation depends on registration, sponsorship, and networking lists later. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Clear industry and title filters can isolate food manufacturing, procurement, operations, and supply-chain buyers. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong U.S. food manufacturing geography allows state, metro, and national segmentation. |
| Best outreach approach | High-touch, value-led | Use food safety, ROI, compliance, and supply resilience messaging rather than generic promotional outreach. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong fit for suppliers targeting refrigerated food manufacturers and distribution stakeholders. |
| Best use case | B2B attendee list building and account-based prospecting | Useful for suppliers, service providers, and agencies selling into food manufacturing and cold-chain operations. |
| Limitations / risks | Attendance not public; participant list unavailable | Prospecting must rely on official future releases and external market-fit targeting until registration data is published. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Food Production; Logistics & Supply Chain; Packaging & Containers; Business Supplies & Equipment; Industrial Automation; Information Technology & Services; Environmental Services | Target the most relevant buyer-side sectors for refrigerated foods. |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Supply Chain; Quality; Food Safety; Engineering; R&D; Regulatory; Executive | Align outreach to business functions with purchase authority. |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; C-level; Owner | Focus on decision-makers and budget holders. |
| Job titles | Chief Procurement Officer, VP Procurement, Director of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Director, QA Director, FSQA Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Director, Packaging Manager | Capture the highest-intent buyer roles. |
| Geography | United States; California; West Coast; Midwest food manufacturing hubs; national | Prioritize likely U.S. attendee markets and key manufacturing states. |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Covers mid-market suppliers through enterprise manufacturers. |
| Keywords | refrigerated foods, prepared foods, cold chain, food safety, traceability, HACCP, sanitation, packaging, food manufacturing, cold storage, supply chain | Narrow search toward event-relevant companies and stakeholders. |
| Company type | Private companies, public companies, associations, distributors, food manufacturers | Prioritize commercial buyers and strategic partners. |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: ("food manufacturing" OR "prepared foods" OR "refrigerated foods" OR "cold chain") AND ("procurement" OR "sourcing" OR "operations" OR "supply chain" OR "quality" OR "food safety") AND (Director OR VP OR Manager OR CPO OR CTO OR COO)
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated Foods Association – RFA Conference | Official organizer page | Event name, 46th Annual Conference & Exhibition, San Diego, Rancho Bernardo Inn, February 14–17, 2027, exhibition/sponsorship timing | High |
| Refrigerated Foods Association Home Page | Official organizer website | Association mission, member focus, educational and regulatory emphasis, industry positioning | High |
| Official conference page text provided by user | Primary source excerpt | Verified future conference dates, venue, city, and conference format details | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Refrigerated Foods Association - RFA — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds