LAS VEGAS, NV (April 7, 2025) – Pizza industry professionals once again took over Las Vegas for the 41st annual International Pizza Expo & Conference, the world’s largest and most influential gathering for the pizza industry. Returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 25–27, the 2025 Pizza Expo welcomed thousands of pizzeria owners, operators, and innovators from around the world to connect, learn, and celebrate all things pizza.
Presented by Pizza Today and produced by Emerald, this year’s Pizza Expo delivered on its promise as the premier destination for discovering breakthrough products, business insights, and new industry trends. With over 500 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest in pizza ovens, ingredients, POS systems, and services – and more than 9,000 registered buyers in attendance – the 2025 Pizza Expo marked another record-breaking year.
Expert-led education remained a cornerstone of the event, with attendees participating in 13 hands-on workshops, 12 live demos, and 40 seminars covering everything from dough science to social media strategy. Industry legends, including Tony Gemignani, Mike Bausch, Franco Pepe, Laura Meyer, and Leah Scurto, led compelling sessions on refining technique and growing pizzeria profits.
Keynote speakers Eric Redfield of Camporosso Woodfired Pizzeria and Sarah Minnick of Portland’s famed Lovely’s Fifty Fifty shared their unique paths to success, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at two of the nation’s most beloved pizza destinations. Redfield touched on Camporosso’s approach to hospitality, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing both staff and customers, while Minnick highlighted Fifty Fifty’s sourcing of fresh, local ingredients that reflect the culinary ecosystem of the Northwest.
The prestigious International Pizza Challenge returned as a fan favorite, celebrating the art and creativity of pizza-making at the highest level. Featuring five divisions and 550 participants, competitors baked their signature pizzas on the spot, presenting them to a panel of expert judges.
Each divisional winner then faced off in a mystery-ingredient bake-off for the chance to be crowned Pizza Maker of the Year. After sweeping the Pan Division, Ryan Ososky of LA-based DTown Pizzeria took home the top prize with his seasonal Detroit-style pizza. See below for the full list of winners.
International Pizza Challenge:
- Pizza Maker of the Year: Ryan Ososky, DTown Pizzeria, Los Angeles, CA
- Traditional: Wilhelm Rodriquez, Papas Pizza, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Non-Traditional: Leo Dicesaris, Cerrone’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, Columbus, GA
- Pizza Napoletana: Mirko D’Agata, Pizzeria NO. 900, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Pan: Ryan Ososky, DTown Pizzeria, Los Angeles, CA
- World’s Best Cheese Slice: Chris Ostapenko, Slice on Broadway, Pittsburgh, PA
- Best of the Best: Tony Cerimele, New Columbus Pizza Co., Pittston, PA
The show floor wasn’t the only place buzzing with energy. Crowds gathered in droves for the thrilling World Pizza Games, where pizza pros competed in high-stakes events like Fastest Dough, Largest Dough Stretch, and the ever-popular Freestyle Acrobatics. Additionally, lively events such as the Beer & Bull Sessions and the Pizza Games Finals & Block Party offered attendees opportunities to unwind, connect, and celebrate the craft.
Looking ahead, the Pizza Expo’s expansion continues with the debut of Pizza Expo Columbus, taking place October 26–27, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Tailored to Midwest pizzeria professionals, this new show will bring the same spirit of innovation and excellence to a fresh audience.
About International Pizza Expo & Conference: The annual International Pizza Expo remains unchallenged as the industry’s largest event. Thousands of pizzeria professionals convene in Las Vegas, Nevada each year for 3 days dedicated to all things pizza. Suppliers from across the globe, networking and educational sessions led by top industry professionals, and international competitions round out this unrivaled event. Visit https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com/ for more information.
About Pizza Today: Since the early 1980s, Pizza Today has been the pizzeria industry’s most trusted and valuable educational business resource for more than four decades. The international award-winning content focuses on insider tips, operational advice, recipes and information integral to helping today’s pizzeria owner operate more efficiently and profitably. For more information, please visit https://pizzatoday.com.
About Emerald: Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com.
