Erin Fasano is the Managing Editor at Startup CPG.

Expo West is approaching quickly, and the Startup CPG team has created a ton of events and excitement to help you maximize your visit.

First, before you arrive, check out the Feb 2022 issue of the Spotlight Magazine. In this edition, you’ll find our usual emerging brand coverage and helpful content from key sponsors, but we’ve also dedicated space to preparing for Expo West:

• The Return of Natural Products Expo West: A conversation with New Hope Network on how to maximize your visit to the show and what to expect this year.
• Making the Most of Expo West: Input from veterans of the show like Seth Goldman, Pierre Jamet, and Kim Biddle for finding success at the show.
• 2022 Booth Guide: Use this guide to find brands in the Startup CPG community while you’re at the show.

While you’re at the show, make sure you attend Startup CPG’s networking events. The big evening event will be the Alley Rally, on Thursday, March 10 from 7-9pm, sponsored by NeilsenIQ. Tickets are still available, and while you’re there, you can network with a who’s who of CPG industry folks:

• Brandie Miller, Misfits Market
• Chloe Sorvino, Forbes Magazine
• Monica Watrous, Food Business News
• John Craven and Ray Latif, BevNET / NOSH
• Cameron Gould, Amazon Fresh
• Kiva Dickinson, Selva Ventures
• Jake Karls, Mid Day Squares
• Genevieve Gilbreath, Springdale Ventures
• Douglas Yu, Springdale Ventures / Forbes.com contributor
• Max Baumann, Basemakers
• Mike Dovbish, Nutrition Capital Network
• Cessna Mac, Amberstone Ventures
• Steve Gaither, 1o8
• Cas Relucio, KeHE (Associate Category Manager)
• Sara Cupelli, Spacestation CPG
• Bjorn Oste, Good Idea, Oatly co-founder
• Danielle Gould, Food+Tech Connect
• Seth Goldman, Eat the Change, Honest Tea, Board Chair Beyond Meat (Startup CPG Entrepreneur in Residence)

Also, while you’re at the Alley Rally, check out the Backpack Brands section, sponsored by Catapult Commercialization. These 12 brands are truly emerging brands, too small to secure a booth at the show, but excited to share their brands with the industry:

• BoYi
• Starryside Company
• Electra
• Vamos Foods
• Baozza
• French Squirrel
• Littlemore
• CocoNifty
• OffLimits
• Brune Kitchen
• Misha’s Kind Foods
• Grounded Foods

Don’t miss Startup CPG Founder Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG Entrepreneur in Residence Seth Goldman on Friday, March 11th’s panel discussion: Brand-Building Connections: Advice & Networking to Grow Your Brand. Joined by a diverse panel, Scharff and Goldman will discuss how to make your brand kick-butt in 2022. Find them in Ballroom F from 2:30-5:00pm, and stay for Happy Hour and Networking after the

Startup CPG will host daily meetup events on the show floor. Join your Startup CPG family for a chat, meet up with a friend to walk the floor, or take a much needed break. Each meet up will be in the Startup CPG lounge inside the Rancho Las Palmas Room from Noon – 1pm. RSVP at these links:

Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

We can’t wait to meet all of you – see you at EXPO! If you have a booth, print out the tabletop sign here, and let everyone know you’re a proud member of the community. Simply print, put in a holder, and display at your booth. And don’t forget to join the Startup CPG Slack #chat_expowest channel to stay in touch at the show.