The MdSNA Annual Convention is Maryland's premier gathering for school food service professionals — and the 71st edition promises to be the biggest, boldest, and most impactful yet. Whether you are a director, manager, nutrition educator, or industry partner, this convention delivers the knowledge, connections, and inspiration that will transform how you serve students across the state.

This year's theme — Changing the GAME! Winning Strategies for Child Nutrition — is more than a tagline. It is a rallying cry. We are bringing together the brightest minds in child nutrition to share breakthrough strategies, real-world victories, and forward-thinking approaches that will elevate every cafeteria, every menu, and every child across Maryland. From compliance and procurement to menu innovation and team leadership, the sessions are designed to give you tools you can put to work the very next day.

Forget ordinary conference centers. This year, MdSNA is going ALL IN at the spectacular Maryland LIVE! — the most stunning, upscale event destination in the Mid-Atlantic. Nestled in Hanover, Maryland, just minutes from BWI Airport and conveniently located for attendees across the entire state, Maryland LIVE! delivers an experience that is as memorable as the education you will receive.

From its soaring ceilings and state-of-the-art ballrooms to world-class dining and luxurious accommodations, every inch of Maryland LIVE! screams excellence — which is exactly the standard MdSNA holds for this convention. When you arrive, you will know immediately: this is not your average professional event. This is the big leagues. You deserve to be here.

This year's convention theme — Changing the GAME! Winning Strategies for Child Nutrition — was chosen deliberately, powerfully, and with every Maryland school nutrition professional in mind. Because that is exactly what you do every single day: you show up, you adapt, you innovate, and you WIN for the kids you serve.

Child nutrition is evolving faster than ever. New USDA regulations, tightening budgets, changing student preferences, workforce challenges, and the relentless push for healthier, more equitable school meals all demand that we bring our absolute best game. This convention is your playbook. Come learn from champions in the field, share what is working in your district, and leave fired up with winning strategies you can implement immediately.

Year after year, the MdSNA Annual Convention brings together the most passionate, dedicated school nutrition professionals in Maryland for two days that are equal parts learning, laughing, and leveling up. The energy is electric, the connections are real, and the memories last a lifetime. Take a look at the incredible community you will be joining this August!

Two action-packed days designed to maximize your learning, your connections, and your return on investment. Every minute of the MdSNA Convention is crafted to deliver value — from the moment you check in to the final farewell. Here is what an unforgettable convention schedule looks like when Maryland's best come together.

Are you an industry partner, vendor, or supplier serving school nutrition programs? The MdSNA Convention Exhibit Hall is the most powerful opportunity of the year to put your brand, products, and solutions directly in front of Maryland's school food service decision-makers. Hundreds of purchasing-empowered professionals will walk the exhibit floor — and they are actively looking for their next great partnership.

Exhibiting at MdSNA is not just about setting up a table. It is about being part of the conversation, building relationships that last far beyond the convention floor, and positioning your company as a trusted partner in Maryland's school nutrition community. Booth spaces fill fast — the momentum from this year's record registration numbers means exhibitor spots will be gone before you know it.

Do not just take our word for it — the MdSNA Convention has been transforming careers and programs for 70 years running. Here is what your Maryland colleagues have said about the experience that keeps them coming back year after year. These are the voices of the professionals who went, learned, connected, and came home ready to change the game in their schools.

The MdSNA Annual Convention is not just popular — it is essential. The impact of this gathering reverberates across every school cafeteria in Maryland. These numbers reflect the power of what happens when Maryland's school nutrition community comes together under one roof, fired up and ready to change the game for students.