KeHE’s 2026 Holiday Show Sets the Stage for Continued Innovation and Growth
From emerging trends to exclusive buying opportunities, this Chicago event gave 5,000 industry leaders actionable insights and merchandising solutions to prepare for the holiday buying season
Naperville, IL, July 7, 2026 – KeHE Distributors®, a distributor of natural & organic, specialty, and fresh products in North America, recently wrapped its 2026 KeHE Holiday Show in Chicago and virtually in the KeHE CONNECT® platform. The event saw more than 5,000 in-person attendees across two days of buying, education, and connection in preparation for the holiday season.
The 2026 show arrived at a moment of widespread change and also an opportunity for the industry. In her President’s Address, Deb Conklin, KeHE President and CEO, outlined the shifting economic landscape that distributors, retailers, and suppliers alike are facing, and detailed how KeHE’s continued investment in cutting-edge technology, operational excellence, and innovation positions its partners for long-term resilience. Her remarks set the tone for a show intentionally designed to strengthen the knowledge base and strategic relationships that carry partners through an increasingly competitive retail environment.
“The Holiday Show is a vital generator of relationships, knowledge, and innovations that drive success during the holiday months,” said Ari Goldsmith, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Media at KeHE. “This event represents the most significant manifestation of our brand and a clear reflection of our company culture. By uniting our network of retailers and suppliers under one roof, we are doing more than just mapping out the holiday season; we are cultivating the deep, collaborative relationships that serve as the foundation of our shared success.”
Highlights from the 2026 KeHE Holiday Show included:
Curated Trends: The show floor was organized around five curated pavilions designed to reflect the trends reshaping consumer buying habits.
Expert-Led Education: The KeHE® On Trend® pavilion anchored the event’s education programming, hosting sessions on global trends, fresh category planning, wellness retail strategies, and regenerative organic agriculture.
Award Winners: The Holiday Show’s focus on recognizing outstanding innovation and creativity aligns with KeHE’s mission to elevate both emerging brands and established partners. Sixteen brands received KeHE® On Trend® Awards, honoring suppliers pushing boundaries in innovation and taste. Four companies earned Booth Awards for standout floor presence: Bim Bam Boo, The Good Patch, Mizkan, and Balaveda.
Premium Imported Specialty Products: Tree of Life USA® continues to expand its portfolio of premium imported specialty products, offering more than 50 varieties of imported cheeses from the United Kingdom and Spain. Attendees had the opportunity to connect directly with supplier partners from Coombe Castle and Tgt and learn about the heritage, craftsmanship, and regional origins behind each featured cheese.
Community Impact: The show also reflected KeHE’s commitment to community impact through KeHE Cares®. Attendees assembled 150 fleece blankets for distribution by Naomi’s House and raised nearly $14,000 for three philanthropic Chicago organizations: By the Hand, Breakthrough, and Emmaus. At the conclusion of the show, KeHE donated 75 pallets and nearly 81,000 pounds of non-perishable, refrigerated, and frozen foods to feed those in need.
The 2027 KeHE Summer Show will be in-person in Phoenix, Arizona February 9 – 10 and virtually in KeHE CONNECT February 3 – 19. Those interested in attending can learn more at www.kehe.com/news-blog/events/2027-kehe-summer-show/.
About KeHE Distributors
KeHE Distributors, LLC (KeHE) is a leading distributor of natural & organic, specialty, and fresh products to more than 31,000 natural food stores, chain and independent grocery stores, e-commerce retailers, and other specialty products retailers throughout North America. KeHE, a 100% employee-owned company with over 8,000 employees, is a Certified B Corporation and drives its mission of serving to make lives better throughout all aspects of its operation. For more about KeHE, visit KeHE.com or check out its social media channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
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