The Future of the Natural Products Industry is Conscious!
This is a recap of Naturally Network’s ConsciousCPG Summit 2024
Naturally Network was proud to host The ConsciousCPG Summit on June 17-18, a virtual event presented by NielsenIQ , in partnership with BeyondBrands and New Hope Network. With 610 registrants, we couldn’t have been more thrilled by the turnout. Below is a recap of the six panels, complete with videos and key takeaways.
Naturally Network’s mission is to harness, accelerate, and elevate the impact of conscious business practices in the natural products industry. The ConsciousCPG Summit programming was crafted to demystify and unlock these practices. We explored our conscious business transformation framework, centered around the five "Ps": passion, purpose, people, planet, and prosperity. This framework demonstrates that everyone in the CPG industry can contribute to making business a force for good.
Passion
Moderator: Eric Schnell Panelists: Zoë Levin (The TP Queen), Keith Kohler and Cynthia Tice
Passion is the driving force behind any conscious business. Speakers emphasized the importance of being passionate about not only the products but also the positive impact they can have on society and the environment.
“Discovering your passion is the first step to living your purpose, but you can't do either if you don't create structures for yourself or others to do that work alongside you.” - Keith Kohler, CPG Financing
Keynote
Moderator: Sherry Frey Panelists: Aimy Steadman, Blair Kellison, and Carlotta Mast
Our expert panel, moderated by Sherry Frey from NielsenIQ, delved into the future of the CPG industry, emphasizing the crucial role of conscious business practices in achieving success in the coming years. Key data show that consumers are increasingly inclined to support businesses that align with their values, highlighting the importance of understanding and adapting to this shift now.
“Supply chain and operational decisions are the impact opportunity. 99% of consumer decisions are made for the consumer before they ever purchase the product. The opportunity is helping the consumer live THEIR values.” - Aimy Steadman, COO at BeatBox
Purpose
Moderator: Sandra Carter Panelists: Julia Collins, Alyssa Vescio, Michael Whelchel
Purpose goes beyond profit. It’s about having a mission that resonates with your values and drives your business decisions. Insights shared by speakers illustrated how a strong sense of purpose can differentiate brands and foster loyalty among consumers who share similar values.
"Purpose clarity is a key strategic imperative. This is what helps businesses outperform the market.” Julia Collins, Planet FWD and Moonshot Snacks
People
Moderator: Gage Mitchell, Panelists: Julie Fabricant, Sadie Scheffer, Jake Deleon
People are at the heart of any conscious business. This theme focused on creating inclusive and supportive work environments, investing in employee well-being, and engaging with communities. The summit highlighted voices from diverse backgrounds, showcasing how varied perspectives can lead to richer, more innovative solutions.
"Keeping communication lines open, investing in executive coaching, and maintaining a clear plan for growth and development are crucial." - Julie Fabricant, ForceBrands
Planet
Moderator: Valerie Hawks Panelists: Svanika Balasubramanian, Lauren Dunteman, M. Env, and Emily Griffith
Environmental sustainability is top of mind for every conscious business - reducing environmental footprint and implementing sustainable practices is a hot button topic throughout our industry. Experts discussed strategies for defining and implementing sustainability within an organization.
"It's really important in this space that we talk about what we're doing and not just about huge wins because if we wait until we have the most perfect solution we may never get there." - Valerie Hawks, Interact Brands
Prosperity
Moderator: Heather Brand, Panelists: Peetachai (Neil) Dejkraisak, Ben Mand, and Sara Polon
Balancing profitability with conscious values is not only possible but essential. Our panel discussed how businesses can thrive financially while staying true to their ethical commitments. Prosperity in this context requires a new definition of success.
"Consumers want to make better decisions and are voting with their wallets. Retailers can help by educating and supporting conscious brands." - Ben Mand, Guayakí
What is Next? ConsciousCPG is the future
The ConsciousCPG Summit has affirmed that conscious business is not just a trend but the future of the natural products industry. The emphasis on passion, purpose, people, planet, and prosperity provides a holistic framework for businesses to thrive while making a positive impact.
Want to do more? Apply to join the Circular Action Collective
We are excited to announce that Naturally Network is teaming up with rePurpose Global Global to activate our community and make a public-facing pledge to reduce plastic in supply chains through our Circular Action Collective.
We are inviting CPG brands to join this working group, connect with a community of sustainable brands, and contribute to the collective impact that can only be generated together.