Category
Connect

Category Connect at Grocery Innovations Canada is a premium, face-to-face meeting program designed to deliver exceptional value for both supplier partners and grocery retailers. Evolving from the former Retailer Connect program, this first-come, first-booked initiative brings exhibitors and retailers together in one room for pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings — creating focused, high-impact business conversations in an efficient and distraction-free environment.

With category exclusivity, participating suppliers have the opportunity to lead and represent their category while showcasing products, innovations, and solutions directly to key retail decision-makers. At the same time, retailers benefit from the ability to efficiently connect across multiple categories, discover new opportunities for their stores, and gain exposure to emerging products and industry innovation — all within a streamlined meeting format designed to accelerate business decisions and meaningful outcomes.

The program is intentionally structured as a two-way exchange: suppliers deliver concise, targeted presentations while also gaining valuable real-time insight into retailer priorities, operational needs, and market trends.

Pre-registration is required. Suppliers must be exhibitors at GIC 2026 in order to represent a category and participate in retailer meetings. Exhibitors may inquire directly regarding program fees and availability.

Eligible grocery retailers may participate complimentary with their registration to GIC 2026.

Exhibitors connect directly with grocery retailers through Category Connect, a dedicated, two-way, face-to-face meeting program designed to move business forward. This guaranteed, first-come, first-booked opportunity features up to 10 pre-scheduled, back-to-back meetings that allow exhibitors to present their products and solutions while gaining valuable retailer insights, and enable retailers to efficiently explore new opportunities across multiple categories.