Brittany Saxton competes at the World Pizza Games at the 2024 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

September 25, 2025 – The International Pizza Expo, the leading trade show for pizzeria and Italian restaurant owners, is coming to the Midwest for the first time with Pizza Expo Columbus, set for October 26–27, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The event will bring together thousands of pizzeria owners, operators, and suppliers to learn, network, and discover the latest innovations in the pizza industry.

Among the featured participants is Brittany Saxton, Owner of Six Hundred Downtown in Bellefontaine and six-time World Pizza Champion. Brittany will lead a seminar on “How to Stay Profitable During Times of Inflation,” drawing on her years of experience managing one of Ohio’s most celebrated pizzerias. Read more about the Six Hundred story here.

Brittany will also host a hands-on pizza class and a ticketed dinner to benefit the John Arena Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating empowering culinary experiences for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions that affect movement. She serves on the board of the foundation, which is an initiative of the World Pizza Champions.

“Pizza has the power to bring people together, and this event is about more than just recipes, it’s about sharing knowledge, building community, and giving back,” said Brittany. “I’m honored to be part of Pizza Expo Columbus and to represent small-town entrepreneurs like us who are making a national impact in this industry.”

In addition to Brittany’s contributions, Daulton Cornell, General Manager of Six Hundred Downtown, will compete in the America’s Best Breadsticks/Garlic Knot category of the Great American Pizza Challenge. Six Hundred’s garlic knots are a fan favorite in Bellefontaine and have become one of the restaurant’s signature offerings.

Pizza Expo Columbus will feature expert-led workshops and sessions designed to help businesses thrive. The event will also provide opportunities for networking, with thousands of pizzeria owners, pizzaioli, and industry suppliers expected to attend. Attendees will gain a firsthand look at groundbreaking products and solutions that can elevate both operations and menus.

Small Nation congratulates Saxton, Cornell, and the Six Hundred Downtown team on their roles in bringing small-town expertise to an international stage.

For more information or to register for Pizza Expo Columbus, visit pizzaexpocolumbus.pizzatoday.com.