Updated News on Pizza Expo Columbus | October 26-27 | Columbus Convention Center | Columbus, Ohio
To keep everyone up to date on all the news and conversations surrounding Pizza Expo Columbus, staging at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on October 26-27, 2025, we’ve created this news center. Leading up to our inaugural Columbus event, we’ll share the latest news, videos, features and previews to get you ready.
Bookmark this page to stay connected with all the updates, happenings and competition information on Pizza Expo Columbus 2025.
Winners of The Great American Pizza Challenge Share Details About Their Entries
From a gluten-free pizza with marmalade to a balanced dessert fit for a king, competitors in The Great American Pizza Challenge left nothing on the table. Winners in the inaugural competition share what went into their entries with Pizza Today, and they range from pizzas straight from their daily menu to special items with completely novel ingredients.
READ ABOUT THE WINNING PIZZAS HERE!
Get Results From Day 2 of The Great American Pizza Challenge!
The results are in! Winners from both days of The Great American Pizza Challenge are now posted on pizzatoday.com.
Day 2 of the competition includes winners from these categories:
- America’s Best Pepperoni Slice
- America’s Best Non-Traditional Thin-Crust Pizza
- America’s Best Breadsticks/Garlic Knots
Results from all seven divisions are now live. See who won!
Results from The Great American Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo Columbus 2025 Day 1 ARE IN
We have just received the Day 1 results from the Great American Pizza Challenge. Congrats to all the competitors. Go here for full scoreboard and Top 3 finishers for the following divisions:
Traditional Thin Pizza Division
Gluten-Free Pizza Division
Dessert Pizza Division
Young Pizza Maker of the Year Division
Aryan Manikantan Nair of Brenz Pizza Dublin competes in the Young Pizza Maker of the Year division of the Great American Pizza Challenge.
Results From The Great American Pizza Challenge Will Appear Here
Judges are tabulating results from Day 1 of the Great American Pizza Challenge.
Watch this page for the winner of America’s Best Dessert Pizza, America’s Best Traditional Thin, America’s Best Gluten Free and Young Pizza of the Year!
Pizza Expo Columbus Opens to Rave Reviews
The inaugural Pizza Expo Columbus kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 26, with pizzeria operators from around the country descending on the Arch City for two days of networking, education, competition and shopping for new products and services to run more efficient and cost effective operations.
The first day of Pizza Expo Columbus included a Dash for Cash competition to win a $2,025 prize, caricature artists at the Pizza Today booth and competitions in the following categories:
- America’s Best Dessert Pizza
- America’s Best Traditional Thin Pizza
- America’s Best Gluten Free
- Young Pizza Maker of the Year
To sign up for the second day of Pizza Expo Columbus, REGISTER NOW!
Download the Pizza Expo Columbus Official Show App!
Have you downloaded the official show app for Pizza Expo Columbus yet? There is no better place to get all the information you need in a single easy-to-navigate location.
The app includes the education schedule, exhibitor map and networking tools, which allow users to message other registered attendees and exhibitors – even sending meeting requests.
The Pizza Expo Columbus app offers real-time notifications to ensure you don’t miss a single demonstration, competition or networking event.
Scan this QR code to download the official show app through the Apple Store or Google Play today!
Everything You Need to Know About Pizza Expo Columbus!
Are you ready to dive deeper into what makes Pizza Expo Columbus so special? Find out about exclusive workshops, demo highlights from regional pizza stars and insider tips to transform your pizzeria operations.
If you haven’t yet registered for Pizza Expo Columbus – or you are looking to make the most of your time on-site – our new, comprehensive preview contains everything you need to know about the inaugural event!
Get the Advanced Rate for Pizza Expo Columbus
The early bird rate for Pizza Expo Columbus has expired. But, you can still get in on the savings with $20 off the general registration fee. Make plans now to attend the can’t-miss pizza event.
Dave Portnoy Visits Columbus Pizzerias Ahead of Pizza Expo Columbus
When it comes to the Midwest pizza scene, Dave Portnoy knows what’s up. After all, the social media personality and host of One Bite Pizza Reviews has been visiting pizzerias in Columbus, Ohio, home of the inaugural Pizza Expo Columbus. “The hospitality in Columbus has been through the roof,” he says.
Are you ready to see if your Traditional Thin Pizza can compete against some of the Midwest’s top pizzerias? Then sign up for The Great American Pizza Challenge when you register for Pizza Expo Columbus! Traditional Thin is just one of the divisions in the inaugural competition being held Oct. 26-27 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
LEARN MORE and REGISTER TODAY!
Get a Sneak Peek of Demos at Pizza Expo Columbus
We’re bringing our extensive education program to Pizza Expo Columbus. Check out sneak peeks of what to expect at two standout demonstrations.
Courtney Shanower of Park Street Pizza is turning simple greens into top-selling creative salads! Learn her pro tips and unique combinations in her demo at Pizza Expo Columbus.
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John Gutekanst of Avalanche Pizza is turning legendary sandwiches like the Reuben and Philly Cheesesteak into winning pizzas! Don’t miss his demo Sandwich-Inspired Specialty Pizzas.
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Are Your Breadsticks and Garlic Knots the Best in the Land?
Photo by: Foma/adobestock.com
Do your buttery breadsticks bring grown men to tears? Are your garlic knots enough to lure Dracula out of his clove-free cave? Well, stop hogging the greatness all for yourself! America’s Best Breadsticks/Garlic Knots is just one of the categories at The Great American Pizza Challenge, taking place Oct. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio.
Brush up on tips the pros use to create bready snacks that bring the boys to the yard, and start practicing the smile you’ll flash when you are crowned the Baron of Breadsticks or the Knot of Nobility.
Early Bird Rates Expire July 15
Join us for this exciting new national event in Columbus, Ohio. Learn from industry pros, connect with fellow pizzeria owners, and explore new vendors. Save $40 with early bird rates available through July 15.
Early bird rates are just $40 for a two-day pass or an early bird combo pass with two-day access and one advance workshop for $275.
Extensive workshops to be offered at Pizza Expo Columbus
The team at Pizza Expo and Pizza Today created fee-based workshops specifically designed for operators who are looking to take their operation to the next level, including:
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What You Need to Know BEFORE Opening Your First Pizzeria WITH Nick Bogacz
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Sourdough Pizza Dough WITH Will Grant
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Carryout & Delivery Done Right WITH Michael Androw
Learn more about these workshops in Expo Spotlight.
The Great American Pizza Challenge Call for Judges
Applications are now open for judges to serve in 2025 Pizza Expo Columbus competitions. Applications will be reviewed by GAPC judging staff, who will reach out regarding next steps by September 1. GAPC will accept 15+ new judges this year, who will be invited to register for a required orientation meeting. Interested in judging?
Complete the Great American Pizza Challenge (GAPC) Volunteer Judging Application 2025.
Registration is LIVE!
Registration is now open! Take advantage of early bird rates of just $40 for a two-day pass or an early bird combo pass with two-day access and one advance workshop for $275. Early bird rates available until July 15.
