Events

Sample products from amazing exhibitors, network with founders, investors, retailers and other industry peers, and hear from a panel of incredible industry leaders. Topics discussed will include achieving and sustaining growth in CPG, best practices when working with influencers, and choosing your path to growth (such as through equity or the organic growth of the company while maintaining a gross profit).

Speakers will include:

Joseph Cabasso, President of Mario Badescu Skin Care – Joseph Cabasso serves as the President of Mario Badescu Skin Care. The Cabasso family has owned and operated Mario Badescu Skin Care since 1984. Joseph’s tenure spans nearly three decades. Beginning as a contributor to product production and delivery, Joseph has evolved into a multifaceted leader. Today, he takes on the diverse responsibilities of overseeing international and domestic sales, managing public relations, and directing the company’s social media initiatives. Joseph continues to be intimately involved in all aspects of the company, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to its success.

Brad Charron, CEO of ALOHA – Brad Charron is the CEO of ALOHA, an employee-owned and operated plant-based protein pioneer. A classically trained CPG operator with a “challenger brand” mindset, he has spent most of his career as a General Manager and Marketer leading growth efforts in the broader health and wellness category for brands including Under Armour, KIND Snacks, Nature’s Bounty Co, and Chobani. He began his career at Frito Lay Inc, a division of PepsiCo, and went on to launch iconic LA-denim brand Lucky Brand Jeans into Europe and the Middle East. Brad received a bachelor’s degree from University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A father to three girls and a former D1 ice hockey goalie, he leads with “calm intensity” and is committed to building a company he’d be proud to pass on to his daughters.

Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys – Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, is on a mission to turn up the happy – one sweet moment at a time. She leads a passionate team dedicated to growing more than just a revenue-driven business – creating joy for customers and spreading sweetness in people’s lives. Anouck was born in Antwerp, Belgium and studied Fashion Design before working at fashion houses including Zac Posen and Natan. A fortuitous seating arrangement on a plane ride from Belgium to New York put Anouck back in touch with Belgian Boys founder (and her eventual husband) Greg who was just launching the brand. Anouck spent long nights and weekends working to launch the brand before stepping away from fashion and into entrepreneurship full time. Anouck and Greg live in Brooklyn, NY with their two sons who start most days with Belgian Boys mini pancakes.

Bee Shapiro, Contributing Columnist at The New York Times & Founder of Ellis Brooklyn fragrances – Bee Shapiro is the longtime New York Times beauty columnist and founder of Ellis Brooklyn, a clean luxury fragrance, body care, skincare brand currently carried at Sephora, Ulta, Credo, Revolve and more. She is also the author of “Skin Deep: Women on Skin Care, Makeup, and Looking Their Best,” a compilation of her best-read columns.

Andress Blackwell, Executive Director at Whipstitch Capital (MODERATOR) – Andress Blackwell is an Executive Director with Whipstitch Capital. As co-founder and former CEO of Swerve, a leading carb-conscious baking and cooking company, Andress joined Whipstitch after Swerve was acquired by Whole Earth Brands, Inc. Over the last twenty years, Andress has worn virtually every hat possible for a CPG entrepreneur: product innovation, contract manufacturer selection and management, negotiating with sales brokers and distributors, knocking on retailer doors, refusing to take no as an answer, and ultimately growing consumer demand through innovative, non-traditional guerilla marketing. During Andress’ tenure, Swerve gained distribution in over 21,000 grocery stores and grew at 150% CAGR from 2016 until the sale in late 2020. In short, Andress has been there and done it. She built a CPG company and successfully sold it to a large strategic.

Megan Klingbeil, CPA (MODERATOR) – Megan Klingbeil, CPA, is an Accounting and Audit Partner at Anchin with more than 20 years of experience. Megan is a member of the Firm’s Consumer Products and Food & Beverage Groups and Co-Leader of its Beauty, Health & Wellness Group, providing accounting, business, and tax planning services for privately held companies including supermarkets, distributors, manufacturers, and emerging brands. Her clients range from aggressively developing businesses to well-established companies. Megan’s experience extends to assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions, tax strategies and securing financing/funding.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Founders of food, beverage and beauty companies can showcase their products, free of charge, to a room of industry leaders, investors and retailers, and even have their logo on a Times Square marquee for the duration of the event!
• Investors, retailers and distributors can sample products from / network with some of the fastest growing companies in the industry.
• Attendees will enjoy networking among their industry peers and hearing actionable and practical advice and insight from our esteemed panelists.

Proceeds* will benefit (included), a membership collective for BIPOC top executives in CPG who are dedicated to one another’s success, who advocate for diverse representation, and who commit to amplifying BIPOC voices and brands in our industry.

*Registration is required for this event. To make it a meaningful program, it is exclusively for executives in the food, beverage, beauty and health & wellness industries.

For more information, please contact Ashley Cohen at [email protected].