Upcoming CFBN Events:

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• Looking Forward, Looking Back 2024 Year-End Celebration

  • When
    4 Dec 2024
  •  
    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Nixon Peabody, 70 West Madison, Suite 5200 Chicago IL
  • Spaces left
    77

  Register

  CFBN and Chicago Section IFT are closing out 2024 together!  Join us for a year in review of the trends and learnings that made 2024 memorable as well as insights to help prepare members and guests for the year ahead.

  You'll hear remarks and reflections from a variety of industry leaders who will share with us their learnings from 2024, and their goals and prognostications for 2025. Following the reflections there will be (as always) amazing networking along with festive food and drink that you can enjoy while overlooking the incredible views of Lake Michigan, and Millennium Park provided by our hosts, Nixon Peabody.  Steps from State Street and the Christkindlmarket, you can even do some holiday shopping before or after the event!

  Don't miss celebrating the end of the year with your industry colleagues and peers!  

  AGENDA

  5:00pm  Doors Open/Registration

  5:30pm  Remarks & Reflections

  6:30pm  Networking 

  8:00pm  Event Close

  
  

  SPEAKERS

  

  JANET GARETTO

  Intellectual Property Partner & Co-Leader of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Practice 

  Nixon Peabody

  
  

  Janet advises her clients, which includes food and beverage as well as pharmaceutical and medical device companies, on brand development strategies. This process involves trademark procurement, trademark portfolio development and maintenance, addressing brand misuse issues and developing internal branding guidelines and best practices.

  In addition, she counsels clients on developing and implementing patent strategies. Her work includes patent procurement, patent portfolio development and maintenance, analyzing and enforcing patents and assisting clients on patent protection and litigation prevention issues.

  
  

  SEBNEM KARASU

  President

  Karasu Consulting

  
  

  Sebnem Karasu is an experienced entrepreneur and executive with over 25 years of experience in the food industry, specializing in food safety, business development, and international sales. She has successfully launched and managed multiple start-ups, driving significant revenue growth while ensuring compliance with global food safety standards. Known for her dynamic leadership and unique blend of technical expertise, marketing acumen, and cross-cultural communication skills, Sebnem has been instrumental in implementing innovative solutions and establishing strategic partnerships across diverse markets.

  
  

  

  ALAN REED

  Executive Director

  The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network

  Alan Reed is the Executive Director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network, a startup, nonprofit organization that brings industry players together, provides a forum for collaboration and support, and better connects the 4,500 companies in the industry across Chicagoland to drive innovation and growth in the region. The group leverages the power of the food & beverage industry in Chicagoland to grow the industry, and the local economy.

  Prior to this new role, Alan was Executive Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at Dairy Management, Inc., and was responsible for creating and driving innovative strategies to grow dairy demand. Before joining DMI, Alan was a strategy consultant working with a variety of Fortune 100 companies.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This event is in partnership with:

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

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• Making The Most of Your Membership: Networking Best Practices

  • When
    6 Dec 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Webinar

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  Learn how to leverage CFBN’s resources to become an expert networker. Following networking best practices (and using CFBN’s Member Tools & Perks) can help you improve your communication skills, grow your business, and build your career. 

  Having the right connections can be a big advantage – that’s why networking is such an important skill, and why CFBN exists. In general, building up your networking skill set takes time and practice. Unsure how to get started?  Don’t worry –  CFBN’s list of best practices will set you on the path to networking success. The more you apply these simple guidelines to your networking efforts, the better your results will be.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Bigger Table Volunteer Event

  • When
    13 Dec 2024
  •  
    9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    McCormick FONA, 1900 Averill Rd., Geneva, IL

  Register

  

  As the holiday season approaches, it's both a time of celebration and a moment to count the blessings in our lives. However, many in our community are facing food insecurity, a challenge that can be particularly difficult during as the year ends.

  
  

  To address this pressing need, Bigger Table has been busy this year working with generous ingredient donors to make smoothie mix.  While another 200,000 servings of this high protein, high fiber, and delicious product are being sent to food banks this month, Bigger Table volunteers will have an opportunity to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.

  Here’s how it works: Register for the event and let us know what nonprofit in your community you’d like to support by donating cases of smoothie to them.  Any charity (with an active 501c3 designation) will work.  Let us know how many cases they can accommodate.  Then, on the morning of Friday, December 13^th, bring your car, truck, minivan, or SUV and join us for breakfast.  We will chat a bit, and share why we’re passionate about supporting our charities. Then, we will help you load the cases into your vehicle for you to deliver at your convenience to your charity. 

  Bring your friends, your family, or your work team! This event is limited to 40 volunteers, and you must register in advance.  Not sure where to donate?  Don’t worry -- we have some great partner charities that we work with and we can connect you.  Breakfast and beverages will be provided. 

  Every action―big or small―is one step closer to a Chicagoland where no one is hungry. When people are fed, futures are nourished, and we can all reach our full potential.  Join us and make a difference in Chicagoland. 

  
  

  

  
  

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