Pizza and Pasta Northeast at the Atlantic City Convention Center kicked off today with a full schedule of educational sessions, an interactive exhibit hall and fierce food competitions.

We started the day in school as attendees flocked to seminars and workshops, hitting topics on the minds of today’s pizzeria and Italian restaurant operators. They included delivery strategies, negotiation basics, training employees, working with baker’s percentage and unique selling proposition.

New this year, attendees made their way to the show floor just before it opened to see a motivating keynote address from Melissa Rickman, co-owner of Wholly Stromboli in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Catch a few minutes of Melissa’s presentation on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx2_4MMOkF9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.

Once the exhibit hall opened, attendees walked isles of food, equipment, technology and services.

The smell of pizza lured attendees to the competition area to watch competitors face off in the America’s Best Cheese Slice, Glute-free Division in the International Pizza Challenge Northeast and the World Calzone Championship.

The day wrapped with a networking Happy Hour for attendees and exhibitors to mix and mingle and enjoy beverages and light appetizers.

There is still time to experience PPNE for tomorrow’s Day 2.

See Pizza & Pasta Northeast Day 1 in Photos: