Naturally Network at Expo East 2022
Expo East 2022 was a whirlwind of activity and excitement. Thank you to our partners, the Pitch Slam Finalists, and all our supporters and members for making it an incredibly memorable few days. Miss Expo? Check out the recap below and learn more about how we celebrated with our incredible Natural Products Community.
Natural Products Expo East Pitch Slam
Kicking off the week on a high-note, the Natural Products Expo East Pitch Slam brought together finalists from across our chapters to pitch on-stage. The excitement was palpable as ten natural products brand founders delivered incredible pitches - thanks to our mentors and SPINS for their invaluable help and data. Ultimately only one winner would stand, and Gear Hugger, founded by Checo Diaz, from Naturally San Diego, took home the grand prize, which includes a booth at Expo East 2023 and over $30,000 in New Hope Network services.
Twrl Milk Tea, founded by Pauline Ang from Naturally Chicago won secured second place, and Frescos Naturales, founded by Juan Stewart from Naturally Boulder won the Pitch Slam’s Audience Choice award.
The night was possible thanks to our incredible partnership with New Hope Network, who hosted the event and provided finalists with free booths at this year's Expo East in the Hot Products area - it goes without saying that the opportunity to show at Expo East is huge for any emerging products brands and we are grateful to for New Hope Network’s generosity.
In advance of the pitches, each finalist met with mentors who helped them craft their pitches, adjust their business plans, and prepare to wow the crowd and judges. A huge thank you to John Castillo, Sean Conner, Caroline Davidson, Sherry Frey, Tauri Laws-Phillips, Kerri Lesley. Eric Schnell. Heather Terry, Cynthia Tice, and David Thibodeau for their time and effort with each of our finalists.
The pitches were not the only memorable part of the evening, during intermission, Jake Deleon, founder of Fila Manila, a former Pitch Slam and 3-time Nexty winner, was joined on stage by Kymberley Graham, Vice President, Head of Diversity Initiatives at NielsenIQ. Jake shared the story of Fila Manila and they discussed underrepresentation and inclusion the Natural Products Industry. Thank you both for discussing this important topic!
Just can’t get enough? If you are registered on New Hope's Natural Products Expo Virtual platform, you can watch the full show here. Check out photos from the event in the gallery below:
Congrats to all of our Pitch Slam Finalists!
Chuza
Founder: Daniel Schwarz
Naturally San Diego
Frescos Naturales
Founder: Juan Stewart
Naturally Boulder
Booth Number: 4393
Gear Hugger
Founder: Checo Diaz
Naturally San Diego
Booth Number: 4394
GoNanas
Founders: Morgan Lerner & Anne Slabotsky
Naturally Chicago
Booth Number: 4396
GloBowl
Founder: Erica Bethe Levin
Naturally Chicago
Happy Moose
Founder: Ryan Armistead
Naturally Bay Area
KeJoy
Founder: Alexa Daniels
Naturally Boulder
Rösti Stuft Spuds
Founder: Stephen Caldwell
Naturally New York
Booth Number: 4397
Twrl Milk Tea
Founder: Pauline Ang
Naturally Bay Area
Booth Number: 4395
Waku
Founder: Juan Giraldo
Naturally New York
Pitch Slam After-Party presented by SPINS
We shouldn’t choose favorites, but the Pitch Slam After-Party presented by SPINS was definitely one of our top highlights of Expo East. Our community knows how to party and almost 400 of you showed up to connect, mingle and congratulate all the finalists at the Reading Terminal across from the Convention Center. SPINS made the evening extra special by awarding the Gear Hugger, our Pitch Slam winner, with the SPINS Lift-Off Bundle - over $15k of in-kind services and data! Thank you to all who joined, it’s a night we won’t forget!
This event would not have been possible without our partners, thank you!
Pitch Slam Alley
The excitement from the competition and After-Party spilled into our time at Expo East in Pitch Slam Alley, where our finalists had dedicated space to showcase their brands. Check out photos below:
Did you stop by our booth, events or meet the Pitch Slam Finalists? We hope that your experience with our Natural Products community was memorable. We are building some of the biggest partnerships in the industry to support the growth of emerging natural products brands, join us today.
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