Join us on for some sun, rooftop views, and plenty of cocktails - our summer networking mixer is here! Networking events with The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network are an opportunity to access an inclusive network dedicated to bringing together all of the industry players of the greater Chicagoland area to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial business connections.
For our summer networking event, we are partnering with CPG Professional Networks to engage and expand your professional networks here in Chicagoland even more! As a member of the ever-growing food community, we know that leveraging your professional and personal connections is significant to the growth of your company and career. The evening provides a great opportunity to enjoy drinks and appetizers and an opportunity to mingle - forging new connections and circling back with contacts from other events, all while experiencing the power of the CFBN and CPG Professional Networks!
There is no formal agenda, and there will be plenty of good company and time to socialize. There’s room for only 100 attendees, so please register early to reserve your place!
The Location: Old Crow Smokehouse in River North - one of the premier rooftops in Chicagoland! Join us to take advantage of their unbelievable views and a little sunshine and cocktails!
We appreciate the generous support of our sponsor for this event: The Kinsa Group!
Join us to make new connections at our first suburban networking event in 2019!
Networking events with The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network are an opportunity to access an inclusive network dedicated to bringing together all of the industry players of the greater Chicagoland area to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial business connections.
For our Suburban Networking event, we are partnering with Kellogg's and Choose DuPage to engage and expand your professional networks in the greater Chicagoland area even more - with a DuPage county focused event! As a member of the ever-growing food community, we know that leveraging your professional and personal connections is significant to the growth of your company and career. The evening provides a great opportunity to enjoy drinks and appetizers and an opportunity to mingle - forging new connections and circling back with contacts from other events, all while experiencing the power of the CFBN Network!
Joining us for a brief presentation on collaborations & the food industry in Chicagoland will be:
Wendy Davidson, President: US Specialty Channels, Kellogg's
Wendy Davidson is a global executive with over 25 years of experience in the branded CPG, retail, and food away from home industries, with a record of accomplishment in innovation, turnaround and profitable growth of mature businesses. As the President of U.S. Specialty Channels, Wendy is responsible for leading a $1.5B business in growth channels from small retail formats including convenience and vending to foodservice business-to-business operations such as schools, restaurants, lodging and healthcare as well as specialty ventures such as e-commerce direct-to-consumer and Girl Scouts. She is a member of the Kellogg Global Leadership Team, the North American Leadership Team, the Kellogg Political Action Committee and Board of Trustees for the Kellogg Company Fund, eighteen94 Venture Capital Fund Investment Committee, the K Pride & Allies (KPA) and Women of Kellogg (WOK) networks and Executive Sponsor for the company’s Young Professionals (YP) business/employee resource group.
Previously, Ms. Davidson worked 3 years as Vice President & General Manager for the US & Latin America for McCormick & Company and spent 16 years as a part of the executive team at Tyson Foods Inc. During her tenure, she held a variety of leadership roles including Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Prepared Foods; Group Vice President of Food Service; and Senior Vice President and General Manager of the McDonald’s Global Business Unit. A graduate of Luther College, Wendy serves as the Chair of the Board of Regents. She is a non-Executive Director on the Board of First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE: FHN) and a Trustee on the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Global Board. She is past board chair of Women’s Foodservice Forum, and a member of The Network of Executive Women, the International Women’s Forum, The Chicago Network, Commercial Club of Chicago, Economic Club of Chicago and serves on the Advisory Board of BRAVA Investments, a venture capital fund. Ms. Davidson was awarded the National Diversity Council’s Top 15 Business Women in Illinois in 2017 and received the Luminary Award in 2016 from Girl Scouts of Chicago & NW Indiana. She was named to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s “40 under 40” and “Diamond Decade”.
Dan Cronin, County Board Chairman - Choose DuPage
Dan Cronin won election as DuPage County Board Chairman first in 2010, again in 2014 and 2018 after serving in the Illinois General Assembly for 20 years. He brings his passion for fiscal accountability and efficient government to DuPage County, where he is committed to reducing the size, scope and cost of local government. Through his ACT Initiative (Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency), he introduced a comprehensive approach to reform dozens of independent taxing districts in DuPage.
In 2014, Chairman Cronin assembled a coalition of civic groups, lawmakers and non-profits to form Transform Illinois (www.transformillinois.org), which aims to replicate the DuPage government efficiency experience throughout the rest of the state. As he engages with leaders across the state, Chairman Cronin advocates for DuPage taxpayers on regional issues such as infrastructure, public transit and economic development. He is a graduate of Fenwick High School, Northwestern University and Loyola University School of Law.
- Alan Reed, Executive Director - The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network
We appreciate the generous support of our sponsor for this event:
Join us for the 3rd event in our Founders Series - a new CFBN series presented in partnership with JB Chicago (A CA Fortune Company), Fifty Gazelles, and PreBrands. This 5-part series of events focuses on creating conversations and connections for founders’ from the growing and scaling companies of the Chicagoland start-up food scene. The Founders Series combines food, cutting edge conversation, and a bit of networking for a happy hour well spent.
Save the Date & Stay Tuned - More event details on our panel and our third conversation will be released soon!
Our speakers & moderator for this conversation (Coming Soon!):
Steve Gaither (moderator), President of JB Chicago a C.A. Fortune Company
Steve Gaither is the president of JB Chicago, a division of C.A. Fortune. JB is an integrated marketing agency focused on CPG whose clients range from larger brands like Smithfield Foods and Tetrapak and emerging brands including Real Good Foods and Protes. As a mentor at the Good Food Business Accelerator, ICNC and The Hatchery, his relationships with the entrepreneurs led him to co-found the Windy City Troublemakers, an early-stage food brands group in Chicago. Steve was formerly a partner in Spiral Sun Ventures and Windy City Food Brands, where he and his fellow CPG experts provide the operational know-how and go-to market strategies that help brands accelerate their growth. Steve graduated from Ball State University (1994) with a degree in Architecture and Planning. He resides in Munster, Indiana with his wife and three children.
Networking events with The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network are an opportunity to access an inclusive network dedicated to bringing together all of the industry players of the greater Chicagoland area to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial business connections. The event provides a great opportunity to enjoy drinks and appetizers and an opportunity to mingle - forging new connections and circling back with contacts from other events, all while experiencing the power of the CFBN network!
Happy Hour beverages and light refreshments will be provided.
The Founder's Series is presented in partnership with:
JB Chicago (A CA Fortune Company) is a Food & Beverage Industry Provider member of the network.
Pre Brands is a Cornerstone Food & Beverage Industry member of the network.
Fifty Gazelles is a Food & Beverage Industry Provider member of the network.
CFBN has partnered with the 7th annual Food Safety Consortium Conference & Expo, Oct. 1-3 in Schaumburg, IL to offer a special one-day pass to the Expo and a Networking Reception at the end of Tuesday's event! This is an excellent opportunity to explore this great expo (including educational and training sessions) and then gather with fellow CFBN members and industry colleagues to network and enjoy a few drinks!
The partnership also offers CFBN members significant benefits that include:
Sure it seems like it's a long way off, but October will be here in a flash - conference management has just opened registration for the Food Safety Consortium!
For more information on the full conference, including event highlights - visit their industry listing here, or access their full event site here!
The Food Safety Consortium Conference & Expo is presented by Innovative Publishing, a Supporting Industry Partner of CFBN.
Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network 1 W Monroe Street 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 Tel (312) 525-9653
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