Top 10 Events for Women In CPG
With the world wide open, there are industry events daily: a trade show here, a networking opportunity there, and a conference in between.
In addition to running a business, marketing yourself and your products at events could feel like a full-time job. Is it worth it?
As you prepare your calendar for the year, here are some of our favorite events for women entrepreneurs in CPG.
For more information on specific events, check out "Trade Show Trigonometry – How to Measure Event Participation," "Women Celebrated Throughout FounderMade Innovation East," and "Fancy Foodapalooza - The Ultimate Summer Festival."
South by Southwest – A bucket list experience. You only need to attend once. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, world-class exhibitions, professional development and networking opportunities, tech competitions, awards ceremonies, and more. This is a great place to network, sample your product, and share your story with people worldwide. March 8-11 (Austin)
Expo West – This is the tentpole event for the CPG Industry. Natural Products Expo West is the leading trade show in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. It is crowded as more than 65,000 people attended in 2023, with 3,000 companies exhibiting. March 12-16 (Anaheim)
ShopTalk - Do you dream about your product being in retail one day? If so, this is a must-attend. Learn about the innovations and trends in the retail market. Hear directly from Walmart, P&G, and Bed, Bath & Beyond executives. March 17-20 (Las Vegas)
WBENC National Conference – Many benefits are associated with being a certified Women Business Enterprise. This conference celebrates women-owned businesses and corporate partners that want to see women succeed. March 19-22 (Denver)
Cherry Bombe Jubilee- Cherry Bombe is a media company celebrating women & incredible creatives in food & drink. The brand hosts an annual conference or Jubilee featuring a who's who of women in the industry. April 20 (New York)
Good Food Mercantile – An intimate experience for premium emerging brands. Open exclusively to Good Food Guild Members, it is an opportunity for food crafters to connect with the growing community of retailers that value quality, care, and craftsmanship. April 28 (Portland, OR), June 22 (New York), September 27, (San Francisco)
Entreprenista Founders Weekend – Self-care for women business owners. This weekend is an opportunity to reignite your passion, build your community, and decompress from the entrepreneurship grind. May 3-5 (Orlando)
BevNet - BevNET.com is the leading food and beverage-oriented media company. The company hosts three events focusing on the beverage, food, and beer industry. Each event provides learning opportunities and the chance to network with others in the space. BevNet Live – June 12-13 (New York), NoshLive – December 5-6 (Los Angeles), BrewBound Live – December 11-12 (Los Angeles)
FemTech and Consumer Innovation Summit – We always knew that girls run the world (thanks to Beyoncé). Now, the world is catching on. This Summit is for emerging companies in femtech and women's consumer health. June 5-6 (New Jersey).
Summer Fancy Food – An international extravaganza. Hosted by the Specialty Food Association, Fancy Food is catered to premium products and brands. This is a chance to get your product in front of retail buyers and distributors. June 23-25 (New York)
Events are costly in both time and money. It might make sense to skip attending an event a particular year. That's OK. Be clear on your goals and objectives. Ask yourself the following questions.
What will a successful experience at this event look like?
How much will this event cost me in time, cash, and resources?
Can you obtain the knowledge and connections provided at this event elsewhere?
If traveling across the country is out of the question, there are organizations that organize regional meetups, conferences, and events that might be a costs-saving alternative.
Naturally Network – A national organization for the natural and organic consumer product industry, including food, beverage, beauty, and more. As of Jan. 2024, there is representation in New York, Los Angeles, Minnesota, San Diego, Chicago, San Francisco, Austin, and Boulder.
StartupCPG - A community for CPG professionals with an active Slack channel, regular webinars, regional meetups, and newsletters.
Les Dames Escoffier International - A philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries with chapters worldwide.
Bottom Line: The sheer volume of industry events can be overwhelming. It's normal to feel pulled in many directions and have FOMO. However, it's essential to keep things in perspective. A recent article published on Medium provided five factors to consider when choosing an event to attend – your goals, event history, cost, timing, and potential. These ideas serve as a great rubric to help make a final decision. Happy planning!