Frequently Asked Questions

SQF Unites 2026 is the global gathering for the food safety community—where SQF professionals, practitioners, and partners unite to exchange ideas, learn, and collaborate. 

SQF Unites is taking place on March 9–12, 2026, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, at 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. All conference sessions, networking events, and the Expo Hall will be held onsite for convenience. 

Register online through the SQF Unites website. You’ll receive confirmation and a hotel booking link once you are registered. For registration or hotel questions, email events@fmi.org 

Food safety professionals from across the supply chain, including SQF-certified sites, practitioners, SQF professionals, certification bodies, auditors, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, training centers, consultants, and global partners exploring certification. 

The dress code is business casual for sessions and networking events. Meeting rooms can be cool, so dress in layers to prepare for any temperature. 

SQF practitioners, food safety managers, quality assurance leaders, auditors, training partners, and operations professionals who manage compliance and continuous improvement programs will benefit from attending SQF Unites. Teams preparing for Edition 10 transition audits will find the sessions especially valuable. 

The conference features keynotes, breakouts, and hands-on workshops. Sample sessions include: “Eviction Notice: Pests Must Go!”, “Risk Assessments Done Right,” “A Change Management Approach to Implementing SQF Edition 10,” “Next-Gen Food Safety: Leveraging AI for Smarter Risk Management,” “Regulatory Horizons,” “Safe Ingredient Sourcing,” and “Building a Food Safety Culture Assessment Plan.”

Edition 10 is woven throughout the entire program—from main stage discussions to hands‑on learning labs. Sessions such as “A Change Management Approach to Implementing the SQF Code, Edition 10” and “Building a Food Safety Culture Assessment Plan” focus on adoption strategies. Edition 10 Speed Dating offers expert‑led table rotations for practical Q&A and peer sharing. Several breakouts dive into updates on risk assessments, CAPA, and management reviews, so you can leave ready to implement. 

SQF Unites is the only global conference fully dedicated to the SQF Code and its implementation. In 2026, Edition 10 topics are woven throughout the agenda, with interactive elements like Edition 10 Speed Dating and live Q&A that provide practical, real-world learning.

Yes. From the Opening Reception to the Town Hall Closing Session, networking runs throughout the week. The Expo Hall, receptions, and discussion lounges offer abundant opportunities to connect with auditors, certification bodies, and fellow sites. 

You’ll leave with tools and strategies to enhance food safety systems and confidently implement Edition 10, including insights on risk management, CAPA, management reviews, and culture measurement, along with guidance from technical experts on audit readiness. 

Visit our Sponsor & Exhibit page for more information. The 2026 SQF365 Sponsor program includes year‑round benefits and visibility throughout the SQF community. 

Updates will be shared on sqfi.com and SQFI social media channels. The official conference app will launch closer to the event for real-time alerts and networking. 

Yes, approved trade media representatives are welcome. Please contact our media team for press access information.