RC Show 2027 runs March 7-9 in Mississauga, near Toronto.
Dates
7–9 Mar 2027
City / country
Mississauga, Canada
Venue
The International Centre
Event overview
The RC Show 2027, Canada's leading foodservice and hospitality trade event, runs March 7-9, 2027 at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
Organiser Restaurants Canada expects more than 1,300 brands and 25,000 industry professionals across five curated trade halls.
The theme is Meet the Moment, with three themed days covering experience and hospitality, women in hospitality, and technology and innovation.
TL;DR
Visit to compare equipment, food and beverage, packaging, technology and services from 1,300-plus brands, and to sit in on programming built around rising operating costs, labour productivity and changing consumer expectations. The five curated halls shorten the search, while the themed days let a buyer plan around a specific problem rather than walk the whole floor.
Exhibit because RC Show is the national account-prospecting moment for Canadian foodservice: 25,000 operators and buyers are expected, and the organiser reports a not-for-profit model that reinvests proceeds into industry advocacy and research. Suppliers with a Canadian distributor, French-English materials and a clear operator value proposition get the most from the floor.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8, Canada
Entrances & gates
Main venue entrance
Use the RC Show entrance shown on venue signage; the 2027 hall-to-entrance map was not published.
On-site venue parking.
Food options
Venue concessions, Local restaurants
On-site diningParking: On-site parking is available at The International Centre; confirm current rates and lot access with the venue before travelling.
Gate: Use the venue entrance assigned to RC Show on arrival; the 2027 hall allocation is not published.
Attend
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring photo ID matching the registered name; badge collection details are not published.
Ticket notes
Registration for 2027 is open through rcshow.com. Ticket tiers, prices and deadlines were not published on the pages reviewed; the organiser describes every ticket as supporting the industry.
Who runs the show
Restaurants Canada
Presenter and manager
What's on
2
Competition
2
Keynote
2
Event days
TBA
Typical time
Jen Agg
Restaurateur and author @ Independent
The Ultimate Table Boss: What Makes a Restaurant Matter
Chris Elliott
Chief economist and vice-president of research @ Restaurants Canada
Economic outlook for Canadian foodservice
Monday, Mar 8, 2027
Keynote: The Ultimate Table Boss
Garland Canada Culinary Competition finals
RC Show Pizza Competition
Tuesday, Mar 9, 2027
Economic outlook
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 23,000
Exhibitors: 1,300
Floor area: 31,500 sqm
This edition
2027
Visitors: 25,000
Exhibitors: 1,300
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Edition recap
RC Show returns 7-9 March 2027 at The International Centre in Mississauga under the theme Meet the Moment, with more than 1,300 brands, 25,000 expected professionals and five curated trade halls.
New this edition
Impact
RC Show is the national sales moment for Canadian foodservice suppliers: a compact three-day window where independent operators, chains and distributors see the year's equipment, menu and technology launches. The 2027 edition adds a technology-and-innovation day and a new leadership reception, which broadens the show beyond the traditional equipment floor.
Audience quality
The audience is qualified by role rather than ticketed curiosity: owners, multi-unit buyers, hotel and institutional foodservice directors, distributors and consultants. Restaurants Canada's membership base anchors the room, but the exact 2027 buyer mix and any international attendance share are not published.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on Canadian distribution and follow-up speed. With 25,000 professionals expected and five halls, a supplier can generate a dense lead list in three days, but the show is not a consumer sampling venue; success requires a Canadian price list, French-English collateral and a 48-hour follow-up cadence.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Canada's foodservice sector is a CAD 129-billion industry with 1.2 million employees and the country's largest source of first jobs. Operating costs, labour shortages and value-seeking diners are squeezing independent operators, so a national show that puts equipment, technology, menu and supply solutions in one room has direct commercial relevance.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Value-seeking diners
Restaurants Canada reports eight in 10 Canadians are eating out less because of the cost of living, while six in 10 say they would visit table-service restaurants more often with more disposable income.
What it changes: Operators are buying tools that cut waste, portion cost and labour without visibly reducing the guest experience.
SourceTechnology and productivity
The 2027 programme adds a dedicated Tech & Innovation Day covering POS, automation, delivery and back-office productivity.
What it changes: Software and automation vendors can reach decision-makers who are actively rethinking labour and ordering workflows.
SourceExperience and hospitality
Programming on Experience & Hospitality day focuses on what makes restaurants matter, independent operator challenges and chef-led innovation.
What it changes: Premium equipment, design and service products sell on differentiation rather than discount.
SourceLatest updates from across the market.
RC Show anchors the Canadian national calendar in March. Buyers and suppliers then use the US national show in May and the Canadian food-innovation show in spring to cover the rest of the year.
National Restaurant Association Show 2027
Chicago, United States
Confirm dates with the organiser before booking.
websiteMarch
Canadian national buying window.
May
US national show follows.
Dates for non-RC events are indicative and should be confirmed on the organiser site.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Closest major gateway; direct trains and buses to Toronto.
About 5 km
to venue
10-15 minutes
by car
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Downtown island airport; mainly regional routes.
About 27 km
to venue
35-50 minutes
by car
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
US alternative; allow extra time at the border.
About 160 km
to venue
2 hours plus border
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 90–140 / night
Walkable or short shuttle to the venue; limited dining.
sourceUSD 140–210 / night
Better restaurants and transit; 15-25 minutes by road.
sourceUSD 220–340 / night
Best evening options; 30-45 minutes to the venue by car or UP Express plus taxi.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
Taxi or ride-hail
10-15 minutes off-peak; allow more at rush hour.
UP Express + taxi
Fastest downtown option; trains every 15 minutes.
MiWay bus
Cheapest option; check MiWay schedules and transfer times.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eTA (visa-exempt air travellers) | Visa-exempt visitors arriving by air, including UK, EU and several other nationals | $5.00 | Minutes to a few days | |
| Temporary Resident Visa | Nationals requiring a visitor visa for Canada | $75.00 | Several weeks; check current times |
US citizens generally enter visa-free for business visits; many EU and Commonwealth nationals are eTA-eligible rather than visa-exempt.
Canada accepts ATA carnets for temporary admission of exhibits and professional equipment; confirm the goods list with a Canadian broker.
Official visa pageWeather
Early March in Mississauga is cold and changeable: expect roughly -5°C to 5°C, with snow, slush and wind. Bring a warm waterproof coat and allow extra travel time during weather.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
The venue and hotels offer Wi-Fi; a Canadian eSIM or roaming plan is useful for lead capture and ride-hail.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Bilingual materials
Canada is officially bilingual; French-English product sheets help with Quebec buyers even though the Toronto-area show is predominantly English.
Tipping
Restaurant and taxi tipping is customary at 15-20% in Canada.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Book 8-12 weeks ahead; March break can lift Toronto fares.
Most US and many European visitors need only an eTA or no document; other nationals need a Canadian visitor visa.
Estimated cost: CAD 7 eTA / CAD 100 visa
Processing: eTA minutes to days; visa several weeks
Check eligibility before booking flights.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Taxi or ride-hail from YYZ takes 10-15 minutes; the venue is about 5 km away.
Hotel → venue: Airport hotels run shuttles; downtown hotels need a car or UP Express plus taxi.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate across Toronto and Mississauga; expect CAD 25-45 from the airport.
Public transit: MiWay buses serve Airport Road; the journey is cheaper but slower with luggage.
Parking: On-site parking is available at The International Centre; confirm rates with the venue.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: -5°C to 5°C
Seasonality: Snow, slush and rain are all possible; March is a transition month.
Packing: Warm coat, waterproof shoes, layers for the show floor and a compact umbrella.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Tuesday, March 9, 2027
Tuesday is Tech & Innovation Day, with the economic outlook and the pizza competition final, so a buyer can cover technology, market context and food innovation in one day. Monday carries the headline keynote and is likely the busiest; Tuesday gives more room for supplier meetings.
Register online and confirm the pass tier — Use a business email and company name.
Book flights and a refundable hotel — Airport strip is closest; downtown is better for evenings.
Download the programme and shortlist sessions — Match sessions to one operational problem.
Build a 12-15 booth target list — Include equipment, food, packaging and technology.
Pack badge ID, cards, coat and comfortable shoes — March weather is cold and wet.
Arrive, collect badge, walk the floor before crowds
The International Centre entranceEquipment and refrigeration supplier meetings
Trade hallsLunch and informal distributor introductions
Venue food service areaTech & Innovation sessions and POS demos
Main Stage / Tech HallSecond-pass meetings and lead review
Trade hallsNetworking reception
Venue reception areaCN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium
City Landmark
30-40 minutes from the venue
Easy half-day add-on in downtown Toronto.
Royal Ontario Museum
Museum
40 minutes by car
Strong indoor option for a cold March day.
Niagara Falls
Day Trip
About 1.5-2 hours by car
Classic add-on if you have a spare day; book a return transfer.
RC Show Leadership Reception
Official networking
New for 2027; check the programme for time and access.
Airport hotel bars
Informal
Convenient for supplier dinners near The International Centre.
RC Show compresses a national sales cycle into three days. The suppliers who win are the ones who follow up while the operator still remembers the conversation, with Canadian pricing and distribution already resolved.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 130–200 / m²
Raw space
USD 70–110 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Use as a budgeting range, not a quote. A 9 sqm shell stand lands around USD 1,170-1,800 before extras.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Shell scheme stand
exhibitor · 9 sqm
USD 1170–1800 / per stand
Hotel
both · mid-range
USD 140–210 / per night
Flights
both · North America return
USD 300–450 / per person
Visa / eTA
both · standard
USD 5–100 / per person
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme stand | exhibitor | 9 sqm | USD 1170–1800 / per stand | estimate | 2026-11-05 |
| Hotel | both | mid-range | USD 140–210 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-05 |
| Flights | both | North America return | USD 300–450 / per person | estimate | 2026-11-05 |
| Visa / eTA | both | standard | USD 5–100 / per person | estimate | 2026-11-05 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether RC Show 2027 is a visit, an exhibit or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a sourcing list and can attend at least one full day.
Best for
Restaurant operators, multi-unit buyers and distributors sourcing for Canada
Min. budget
$800.00
Timeline
2-3 months out for flights and hotels
Risks
March weather delays
Crowded floor on Monday
exhibit
You can staff all three days and follow up within 48 hours.
Best for
Suppliers with Canadian distribution or a committed distributor partner
Min. budget
$7,000.00
Timeline
4-6 months out for stand, freight and meetings
Risks
High cost per lead without pre-booked meetings
French-label and customs compliance
skip
You cannot commit budget, staff or a Canada route to market.
Best for
Consumer-only brands, early-stage ideas without Canadian pricing, or teams with no follow-up capacity
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing the national buying window
Book with
Flights to Toronto
Compare fares to Toronto Pearson (YYZ).
Affiliate suggestion, not an official show partner.
Airport hotels
Compare Mississauga airport hotels near the venue.
Affiliate suggestion.
Canadian eTA and visa
Official Canadian immigration information.
Official government source.
Exhibit freight
Plan customs, lifting and venue handling for a Canadian show.
Commercial suggestion, not an official contractor.
Recommended providers
Official eTA and visa guidance.
Airport strip hotels are closest.
Compare fares; book 8-12 weeks out.
Freight forwarder suggestion; confirm venue approval.
Business travel and exhibitor liability cover.
Toronto and Niagara day trips.
Badge-scan and lead-capture alternative if the organiser does not provide a scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
3
Publishers
4
Date checked
Restaurants Canada
CEO.CA / CNW
Dailyexpo
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
