The Education Schedule for October’s Midwest Pizza Event Just Dropped
The Education Schedule for Pizza Expo Columbus is live. The Midwest pizza show, happening October 11 and 12, brings immersive and relevant education specifically designed for pizzeria operators to the forefront.
Brand Director Jeremy White assembled a power-packed two days of sessions that will inspire, empower and create actionable takeaways for attendees. These sessions hit on the very subjects that operators are dealing with right now.
I’ve meticulously assessed the list of over 20 sessions, demos and workshops. This education program is focused on helping pizzeria owners and operators grow stronger businesses through practical sessions on startup planning, food costs, guest experience, marketing, finance, and long-term growth. It also blends business strategy with hands-on operational learning, including demos on ingredients, mixing techniques, sustainability, and using AI in restaurant workflows.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Register for Pizza Expo Columbus, bringing every element of the pizza industry together under one roof in the Midwest at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on October 11-12, 2026. Learn. Network. Shop. Eat. And compete. Register now!
5 Hot Topic Sessions for Pizzeria Owners at Pizza Expo Columbus | Pizza Today Editor Picks
I want to highlight some sessions that I think are especially relevant to the current pizza restaurant business climate. They include:
- Combating Rising Food Costs
Instructor: Nick Bogacz, 30-year pizza veteran, President of Caliente Pizza and Draft House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This session hits on a subject that is keeping operators up at night. From labor costs skyrocketing to volatile commodities markets destabilizing food costs, on top of escalating insurance and utility rates, addressing how to combat rising costs is an area every operator needs to evaluate. - Financial Literacy for Pizzeria Owners
Instructor: Eric Redfield of Mitchell, Kentucky- based Camporosso, Pizza Today’s 2024 Pizzeria of the Year
We’ve long reiterated that profits are made in the office. It has never been more vital for pizzeria operators to get out of their kitchens and dive into their financials. Redfield will give you a digestible approach to understanding your finances. - Enchanting the Guest Experience
Instructor: Rocky Shanower, owner of Ohio-based Park Street Pizza, Bahler Street and Dola Jean’s
If you think of your guest experience as how you interact with your diners sitting in your restaurant, you need this session. The guest experience of 2026 has so many nuanced elements that need to be considered. How do you get them in and keep them coming back in a world of online ordering and third-party delivery? - AI Office, Analog Kitchen
Instructor: Mike Bausch, owner of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Andolini’s Pizzeria and Unsliced Restaurant System
AI is top of mind with restaurateurs right now. There is a lot of trial and experimentation happening. How do we use it correctly and efficiently in pizzerias? Bausch will share a blended approach. - Trends Watch
Instructor: Scott Wiener, President of New York City-based Scott’s Pizza Tours & Slice Out Hunger
This session was so popular at International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas that we had to move into the keynote room. By popular demand, it will be showcase of Pizza Expo Columbus.
These represent just a taste of the education sessions happening at Pizza Expo Columbus at the Columbus Convention Center on October 11-12. See you in Ohio!
Register for Pizza Expo Columbus now!
DENISE GREERÂ is the Editor-in-Chief of Pizza Today magazine.
