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• Quarterly Distillations (Free Virtual Series)

  • Start
    2 Feb 2021
  •  
    (CST)
  • End
    2 Nov 2021
  •  
    (CDT)
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    (Virtual Event Series)

  

  Join CFBN & the team from Bader Rutter’s Intel Distillery for a recap of the latest happenings in food, beverage and agriculture.  These short webinars outline what you need to know to stay current with the latest in food policy, food business & marketing, and production trends.

  The Intel Distillery keeps you informed on the influential and ever-changing conversations across the food production system. Thank you to everyone who joined us in 2020 as CFBN tapped this great resource for our Monday @11 series!  We are excited to continue this great web series to keep the Network informed in its' new quarterly format!  This is a FREE series offering - all are welcome, register now to join us for the full series!

  

  
  

  Upcoming Episodes: 

  • Tuesday, May 4th (11 am CT)
  • Tuesday, August 3rd (11 am CT)
  • Tuesday, November 2nd (11 am CT)

  
  

  Joining us for this conversation from Bader Rutter's Intel Distillery team:

  • Nick Praznowski, Team Leader - Editorial/Content – with a long background in food marketing, Nick helped start The Intel Distillery in 2011 and serves as the functional lead for strategy and content.
  • Dennis Ryan, Executive Creative Director –  celebrating a successful career advertising and marketing CPG food products, Dennis serves as creative director, copy editor and chief promoter to translate The Intel Distillery’s analysis into actionable insights for subscribers and clients.
  • Betsy Rado, Team Leader – with an extensive experience in food and ag marketing, Betsy has served as an adviser and content creator to bring clients business driving insights from The Intel Distillery since 2012.
  • Kyle Church, Content Specialist has been an integral part of The Intel Distillery team since 2014 and heads up the quantitative analysis and technical functions.  Kyle researches and writes a good share of The Intel Distillery content.

  The team behind Bader Rutter’s The Intel Distillery has partnered with CFBN to host this quarterly chat series breaking down the headlines from the headlines impacting the food and beverage industry. Using The Intel Distillery’s Friday by Noon newsletter as a guide.

  Since 2012, The Intel Distillery has tracked the top stories from the most influential voices in the business. From farm fields to consumer plates, the Chicago-based team has diligently categorized and catalogued everything important in food, beverage and agriculture to outline a clear picture of what's happening and who's driving the conversations on our industry.

  (Subscribe here for Friday by Noon weekly.)

  Tuesday @11 is a quarterly webinar offering produced in partnership with CFBN member company, Bader Rutter!

  

  Missed an episode? 

  Visit our Virtual Library to catch up with all previous episodes!

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• Innovation Series: The Plant Based Space

  • When
    11 Mar 2021
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (CST)
  • Location
    (VIRTUAL EVENT)

  Register

  Join us for our next event in the 2021 Innovation Series.  The Innovation Series is the longest running series in CFBN's programming - originated in partnership with Fifty Gazelles as our opening offering via the "Innovation Breakfasts" originally hosted at Blue Dog in the West Loop.  Today, this virtual series tackles a series of innovation topics of interest to all of us in the food and beverage industry.  Our attendees join us every other month on the second Thursday to explore where food is headed, what companies are making a true impact in the market, and who is helping to change the way we all do business!

  Upcoming Events & Conversations:

  • Thursday, March 11th (11 am - 1 pm CT):  The Plant Based Space
  • Thursday, May 13th: The Sustainability Conference
  • Thursday, July 8th:  Taste & Trends
  • Thursday, September 9th:  Technology Innovations
  • Thursday, November 11th:  State of the Industry (Next Generation Leaders)

  
  

  The Plant Based Space

  Opening Conversation: What's next for food's most vibrant growth market?

  Impossible Foods raised $200 million in 2020 at a valuation of over $4 Billion.  Is this insanity or a massive trend you can’t miss?   Come hear three panelists at the forefront of plant-based foods talk about the innovation imperatives for the industry and where they see the next wave of growth. 

  Our opening panel features:

  Tom Mastrobuoni, Chief Investment Officer at Big Idea Ventures

  Tom Mastrobuoni is the Chief Investment Officer at Big Idea Ventures, a venture capital fund solving the world’s biggest challenges by supporting the world’s best entrepreneurs. One of the ways Tom is doing just that is through The New Protein Fund, Big Idea Venture’s first fund that invests in the most innovative companies working on plant-based and cell-based meat, seafood, and dairy products, as well as ingredients and technologies that facilitate the growth of these categories. Tom has held numerous board positions with innovative food companies, including Chief Financial Officer of Chicago’s own Tyson Ventures. Tom is tackling the question of “what’s next” in the plant-based space head on!

  Andrew Levitt, Founder & CEO at The Purple Carrot 

  Andy Levitt is the Founder & CEO of The Purple Carrot, the first and only 100% plant-based meal company. While many have been focused on making plant-based food taste good, Andy is making sure there is a platform to share delicious plant-based foods with the world. The Purple Carrot makes it fun and easy for consumers to prepare and eat healthy, great-tasting plant-based meals at home. Andy earned his MBA from The Stern School of Business at New York University, and his undergraduate degree from Emory University.

  David Ervin, VP & General Manager Alternative Protein at Tyson Foods

  David Ervin joined Tyson Foods in 2012 and leads the company’s Alternative Protein business. He led the development and launch of the company’s first plant-based protein brand, Raised & Rooted in 2019. Prior to his current role, he led the Marketing Services organization and was Vice President of Innovation. Before joining Tyson, David began his career in marketing research at Kraft Foods. After several years in research and corporate marketing, he worked in traditional brand management for 10 years on a variety of brands, including Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Kraft salad dressing, Stove Top, Minute Rice, Kraft Pasta Salad, and Good Seasons. He also worked to develop small businesses during his time with DOM Capital where he identified investments in new consumer-based opportunities in Food and Beverage working on the boards of small quick serve restaurants to drive impact. David received a B.S. in Communications and Economics and a M.S. in Marketing from Northwestern University. He is a husband, father of three boys, a trained cook, and a culinary inspired eater.

  Jeremy Anderson (Moderator), Founder at Fifty Gazelles
  

  Jeremy is a business development professional with a passion for getting new ideas into market.  Fifty Gazelles’ practice focuses on building long-term contract manufacturing partnerships and adding capacity and external expertise to commercialization teams.
  

  Following our OPENING PANEL, we are excited to offer several options for featured break-out presentations:

  The Language Dilemma

  The language around plant based has gotten complicated.  Companies are now tasked with the challenge of communicating with consumers what a product is AND how it is different from the traditional formats we all recognize.  From meats to milks, drinks to new innovations let’s take a look at how companies are choosing their words carefully.

  • Featuring:  Lisa Keefe, Editor in Chief for Meating Place & Alt-Meat Magazines;  Jenny Palan, Plant Based Marketing Lead at Kerry; and, Jeremy D. Richardson, Attorney at Freeborn & Peters; and, Grant Prentice (Moderator), SVP & Director of Strategic Insights at FoodMinds

  
  

  The INNOVATION FACTOR FOR PLANT BASED PRODUCTS

  The plant based space is no longer just an ALTERNATIVE space or channel to traditional categories (proteins, beverages, snacks, etc.,.).  Join us to explore how companies are using innovation and new technologies to help products stand on their own ground.

  • Featuring:  Laura Enriquez, Master Scientist - Strategic Applications at The Edlong Corporation;  Marty Gil, Key Account Manager at Exberry; and, Krista Ruhnke, CFS (Moderator), Western Regional Manager at Dempsey Food.

  
  

  The Next Big Thing:  Trends in the plant based space

  Join us to explore trends in the plant based space from our experts.  Dare we ask...what is the next big thing in the category?  Let’s take a look at CPG, foodservice, and beyond to explore what 2021 holds.

  • Featuring:  Marie Molde, Registered Dietician and Trends Analyst at Datassential;  Ilana Orlofsky, Senior Marketing Manager at Imbibe; and, Brian Albert (Moderator), Co-Founder & Co-Owner at Amped Kitchens.

  
  

  MISSION vs. NUTRITION:  Who is shaping the new plant based message?

  Better for you, better for the planet, or a combination of the above?  How is the message behind plant based products changing and being shaped by founders, companies, and the direct connection they are building with a demanding class of consumers - join us to explore!

  • Featuring:  Perry Galanopoulos, Founder & Owner at FuFluns' Foods; Arwen Kimmel of JPG Resources; and, Elizabeth Erwin (Moderator), Account Director at The Food Group.

  
  

  NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY!

  CFBN Vice Chairwoman Laurette Rondenet, President & CEO of The Edlong Corporation, will also be hosting a networking table during the event - stop by to network with Laurette and your fellow attendees!

  
  

  Our Master Agenda for the day's event:

  • 11:00 AM:  General Welcome (Alan Reed, CFBN)

  • 11:05 AM - 12:00 PM:   Opening Conversation, Moderated by Jeremy Anderson, Fifty Gazelles

  • 12:05 PM - 12:45 PM:  Breakout Presentations (30-40 mins each - run concurrently)

  • 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM:   Expo/Networking Spaces Open

  • 1:00 PM - EVENT CLOSES

  
  

  
  

  The Innovation Series is a 6-part virtual event series, we appreciate the support of our primary partner and CFBN member in developing this series:

  
  

  We also appreciate the support and collaboration of our sponsors for this event:

  

  Missed an Event?

  Don't worry!  All previous events in the Innovation Series are available for viewing in our Virtual Content Library - FREE to all CFBN Members!

    

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• The Connection Series (Virtual Networking Events)

  • When
    20 Apr 2021
  •  
    8:00 AM - 9:30 AM (CDT)
  • Location
    (Virtual Event Series)

  Register

  Leadership in 2021 will be more about thriving than surviving, and connecting is key.  Throughout 2021 CFBN and Kincannon & Reed are partnering to bring you opportunities to connect, learn, and grow through the Connection Series.  Join us for an opportunity to explore all that the food industry has to offer, network with leaders, and share best practices with your peers.

  Each event in the series will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from industry leaders on the primary topic.  Following that brief opening presentation, these events offer focused small-group and individual networking around the topic areas.  Join into any group to network with your peers, or connect 1:1 with your fellow attendees in private networking chats.  This is a clear virtual solution to the networking we've all been missing!

  Join us for our NEXT event in the series, Tuesday, APRIL 20th!

  More information on our opening discussion & breakout topics is coming soon!

  Following our opening discussion, join your industry peers for Networking in one of our moderated discussion sessions.

  
  

  Hear what fellow attendees said about our 1st event in the series:

  "I was hesitant to attend this networking event...Instead I was pleasantly surprised at the collaborative feel of the HopIn platform, the quality of the table sessions, and the provided networking options. The CFBN Networking event- 5 stars!"

  "I really miss the in-person networking and was a little skeptical on doing the virtual networking but WOW-- completely surprised and REALLY liked the format! The opportunity to do one on one conversations was great. The topics were relevant and it was nice to be able to "sit" at a table but then if the tables were full, I could still listen to the conversation. Thank you!"

  
  

  Upcoming EVENTS: 

  • Tuesday, April 20th
  • Tuesday, May 18th
  • Tuesday, August 17th
  • Tuesday, October 19th
  • Tuesday, November 16th

  
  

  ABOUT OUR SERIES PARTNER, Kincannon & Reed:

  Founded in 1981, Kincannon & Reed is a retained executive search firm engaged by organizations around the world to recruit impact players in the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors. Clients benefit from their unique focus, expertise, and approach. This combination has produced an enviable record of success: the deliver leaders with judgment who get results.  Kincannon & Reed brings a unique perspective to this series of virtual networking events - helping to provide expertise, insight, connections from across the wider food and beverage industry in the midwest.

  (Click HERE to learn more about Kincannon & Reed)

  The Connection Series is a new virtual event offering produced in partnership with CFBN member company, Kincannon & Reed!

  
  

  Missed an event? 

  Visit our Virtual Library to catch up with all previous events!

  Show details