The trade show program for BIPOC CPG brands in food & beverage

For years, (included) CPG has partnered with the Specialty Food Association (SFA) and New Hope Network to provide opportunities for BIPOC founders at the Fancy Food Shows and Natural Products Expos, both East and West. We are now taking our partnership to the next level with (included) ACCESS.

(included) ACCESS offers BIPOC-owned brands the opportunity to exhibit at the organizations’ flagship trade shows with prime locations, education and mentoring, advertising and marketing, peer fellowship, and other logistical support, free-of-charge to them. The program universally affords access and amplification to emerging BIPOC brands at an amplitude typically reserved for brands with significant financial resources and longevity.

Cohort 1 culminated with sponsored exhibition and programming at Natural Products Expo West 2023.

Cohort 2 will culminate with sponsored exhibition and programming at Natural Products Expo West ’23 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 20-23.

COHORT 2 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

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APPLY NOW

COHORT 2 APPLICATIONS NOW
OPEN through
June 22, 2023 at
11:59 PM PST

APPLY NOW

COHORT 2 DETAILS

VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

  • Free virtual programming focused on education and preparation for optimal trade show exhibition
  • Access to 1:1 mentorship and networking with industry experts and advisors
  •  Join (included)’s national peer community of 100+ BIPOC CEOs, including an active Slack channel

TRADE SHOW SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

  • Free sponsored trade show exhibition space in the (included) pavilion at Natural Products EXPO EAST (Sept 20-23, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA), including a customized 10′ x 10′ booth and branded 3′ countertop display, to be located in a featured (included) pavilion on the main show floor (valued at $10,000+)
  • 6 complimentary exhibitor badges to trade show (valued at $7,440)
  • 1 Free Standard Hotel Room near Philadelphia Convention Center for duration of Expo East (valued at $3,000+)
  • PR and promotional content features across New Hope Network platforms
  •  Networking and fellowship opportunities with industry community, national press & investment groups

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

  • VIRTUAL EDUCATION & PROGRAMMING:
    • At least 1 BIPOC founder MUST be available to participate in virtual programming and education sessions. 1 additional member of the participating company may also join.
    • Virtual session attendance is required.
  • TRADE SHOW EXHIBITION:
    • At least one BIPOC founder or CEO of the company MUST BE available to travel to, exhibit at, and stay for the entire duration of Expo East (Sept 20-23, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA), including both the trade show and additional activities after the trade show floor closes, which typically means being present from at least 8 AM until 9 PM for all three days. Any no-shows, late arrivals or early departures will weaken our ability to provide these resources and the future and thus will result in forfeit of future (included)-sponsored opportunities and expulsion from the (included) community. Re-entry will be evaluated by (included)’s leadership team.
    • For trade show exhibition, brands are responsible for investing in their own branded sales and marketing materials, all product samples and accompanying sampleware necessary for displaying and demoing products onsite.
    • Cohort brands are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.

COHORT 2 ELIGIBILITY

  • Must be a member of (included). Application here
  • Your company is BIPOC-owned (at least 51%); verification required
  • The CEO is of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and/or Middle Eastern descent
  • You must be 18 years or older by December 31, 2022
  • Your company is based in the United States or Canada
  • Your company must be an LLC, C-Corp, B-Corp, S-Corp or other registered entity.
  • Your company has not raised more than $500k in outside capital from any source, excepting capital contributions from the founder or active founding team.
  • Your company’s trailing 12 month gross revenue is at minimum $50,000 and no more than $2 million. If selected, you are able to share your company P&L for verification.
  • Your company officers consent to a potential background and/or reference check.
  • Your company has not been a prior exhibitor on the Main Show Floor at NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO EAST or WEST, including prior ACCESS Cohorts.

COHORT 2 ADVISORS

Victoria Ho

Victoria Ho

Founder & Innovation Consultant at Sherpa CPG

Ryan Pintado-Vertner

Ryan Pintado-Vertner

Founder at Smoketown

Nona Lim

Nona Lim

Founder & CEO at Nona Lim

Sarah Wallace

CEO, The Good Bean Inc and Beanitos

(INCLUDED) IN ACTION

(included) is a collective of BIPOC CPG leaders dedicated to supporting the success of its vibrant community by providing access to opportunities, advocating for diverse and inclusive representation, and amplifying BIPOC brands and voices. Come meet the fam.

LEARN MORE