UPDATE: Registration for the in-person breakfast at Expo West is AVAILABLE. Whole Foods Market Feedback Applications are CLOSED. Registration for the virtual events are CLOSED.

Maximize your impact at Expo West with Expo Excellence, a dynamic 4-part education series designed to help emerging brands make meaningful connections and drive business growth. Learn best practices for navigating the show, crafting compelling pitches, and engaging retailers and investors with confidence.

Join us on Wednesday, March 5th, at the Hilton Anaheim, for a casual morning event to connect with other founders, retailers, and data experts that can support your final prep for your important conversations at Expo West. The breakfast features special guests from Whole Foods Market, NielsenIQ, and retailers and partners from our Packaging Action Network program like Thrive Market, Grove Collaborative, rePurpose Global, and UNFI. A light breakfast and coffee will be available.

See you in Anaheim!

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Below is a summary of the Expo Excellence Program Sessions and Speakers. Please note that the program RSVP is now closed and that RSVPs after February 19th are for the in-person breakfast on-site at Expo West only!

SESSION 1: [Virtual] Feb 12th, 12 PM CT - Expo Best Practices: What to Know and Do Before You Go

• Gage Mitchell​, CEO and Creative Director, Modern Species
• Asa Mckee​, Founder, Off-Piste Collaborative
• Kathleen Cassanova​, Executive Director, Project Potluck
• Eric Schnell​, Founder, BeyondBrands
• Jenna Fitch​, Senior Director, Conference Content, New Hope Network

SESSION 2: [Virtual] Feb 19th, 12 PM CT - Talking to Retailers

• Kelly Landrieu​, Global Coordinator and Director, Emerging Brands, Whole Foods Market
• Marc Santors​, VP of North American Sales, NielsenIQ
• Heather Terry​, CEO, GoodSam
• Stephanie Turner​, CEO, TUYYO

SESSION 3: [Virtual] Feb 26th, 12 PM CT - Talking to Investors

• Kelsey Michel​, VP of Account Development, Emerging Brands, NielsenIQ
• Chris Robb​, Founder, The Angel Group
• Albert Swantner,​ CEO, NamelessCPG
• Gigi Lee Chang​, Managing Partner, BFY Capital
• Caroline Freedman​, Business Development Principal - Lending Program, Whole Foods Market

SESSION 4: [In-Person] March 5th, 8:30 - 10:30 AM - In-Person Breakfast at Expo West at Hilton Anaheim, California Ballroom D

FAQ:

1. Your paid RSVP guarantees you entry to all virtual events - you must let us know that you are attending the in-person breakfast through your event registration form.
2. Whole Foods Market Feedback Session Eligibility - APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Foragers are selecting 14 companies to meet with at Expo West. To be eligible - you MUST be an Expo Excellence Series participant, you MUST be attending Expo West, you MUST fill out the WFM Feedback Session Form, and you MUST meet with NielsenIQ to access data that supports your company and the conversation.
3. To be considered as an Expo Excellence Series participant - you must register for the program through the RSVP link on this page.
4. Whole Foods Market Feedback Session Timing - you will be notified no later than February 25th if you have received a feedback session slot. All feedback sessions will take place between 9 AM - 12 PM on Wednesday, March 5th and Thursday, March 6th at Expo West.
5. Meeting with NIQ - Program participants will be contacted by NIQ to schedule their meeting no later than February 25th if you have registered by February 14th.
6. Are you a Naturally member already? Did you know that you have access to three free data reports from NielsenIQ? Access it here​.

Learn more about Naturally Network's plans at Expo West here​​.