Launching Today — Access the Trade Program at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen - foodandwine Newsletter | BrandsNinja

Photo Credit: Food & Wine / Marc Fiorito - Gamma Nine Photography

(F&W Best New Chefs Isabel Coss, Ana Castro, and Valerie Chang participated in the 2025 American Express Restaurant Trade Program at the F&W Classic in Aspen.)

Dear Pros,

Hunter here, checking in midweek with a quick PSA. We're deep in planning mode for the next Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, our 43rd annual festival in the Rockies, and we are breathing new life into one of the key features of the weekend designed just for you: the Trade Program.

The teams at Food & Wine, American Express, and Resy are preparing to welcome the hospitality community back to Aspen this June. It's a gathering defined by the conversations that stretch late into the evening, the ideas that percolate during an impromptu connection, and the sense that, for one epic weekend, some of the top leaders in the hospitality industry are gathered together in the same beautiful place.

Those moments are what make the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen so special. Together, we're excited to continue building a Trade Program rooted in thoughtful hospitality, meaningful connection, and shared experiences — created by industry pros for industry pros.

Tickets for the Trade Program go on sale today, January 14 , and we'd love to welcome you and your team members to Aspen for the 43rd year of the Classic, June 19–21, 2026.

The annual retreat includes networking events, engaging panel discussions, and access to private tastings among peers, leading to connections that tend to linger long after the weekend ends. This year we're adding some dynamic new programming and polish to the mix. While we can't share all the details just yet, you can count on a few exciting surprises along the way.

A limited number of tickets go on sale today, January 14, here. You'll find more details in the link, and we'll share more programming and speaker updates on the Classic site and in this space in the coming weeks. If you have any questions, you can always reach our team at fwclassic@foodandwine.com, or feel free to hit me up over email. See you in the mountains this summer?

Warmly,
Hunter