Events 2026

NZ Ice Cream Association Annual Conference

Join us for a day dedicated to the art, science, and business of operating a successful ice cream and gelato enterprise.

We are thrilled to welcome the "Godfather of Fusion Cuisine", Peter Gordon ONZM (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu), as our keynote speaker; drawing on a legendary global career, Peter will inspire you to explore the limitless possibilities of cross-cultural flavour alchemy.

Alongside this creative spark, the day features a tasting, economic insights and a chance to meet your colleagues. See Conference Program.

NZ ICE CREAM & GELATO AWARDS 2026

Celebrate Aotearoa’s finest ice cream and gelato at the most delicious event of the year!

Join us for a glamorous cocktail party and be the very first to hear who takes home the top honours for 2026, while catching up with colleagues.

Only 130 tickets - so book early to avoid missing out! Awards Cocktail Party $150 + gst for members and $200 + gst for non-members.

WEBINARS 2026

12.30pm - 1.25pm
Friday 7 August 2026

Scoop by Scoop: - Learnings from Building a Gelato Business with Hannah Englesman, Founder Little β€˜Lato.

Join Hannah Englesman, Founder of Little β€˜Lato for an informative and insightful session. 

After falling head over heels for authentic gelato at Italy's Carpigiani Gelato University, Hannah Englesman brought the craft home to Aotearoa. Armed with a Massey Food Technology degree and a background at Fonterra, she traded corporate dairy for a churn and a dream. Eight years on, Little ’Lato now supplies award-winning gelato from Russell to Timaru.

7.00pm - 7.45pm
Tuesday 25 August 2026

The Future of Ice Cream with Mintel

NZICA is fortunate to have secured a webinar with Mintel's Honorata Jarocka who will present the latest global ice cream insights.

The Future of Ice Cream webinar will follow Mintel’s release of their global report in early August. It will uncover global growth areas in the ice cream and gelato sectors shaping the industry's future.

To protect the IP, this webinar will not be recorded and slides will not be available, so you need to attend.

Looking Forward to 2027

2027 marks the 100th year of the NZ Ice Cream Association. We will be organising events to celebrate our centenary. The 2027 Awards and Centenary Dinner will be on Thursday 12 August 2027.