The Kickoff Dinner by Startup CPG at Expo West 2026

Join us for the opening night of Expo West at the Anaheim White House (incredible spot!) for a lively kickoff dinner!

Join Startup CPG on the opening night of Expo West before the floor show opens for a lively dinner and reception. There will be buyers and VIPs galore. We've rented out the entire White House, so you can expect hundreds of folks ready to mingle and network!

Food and drink will be provided. No sampling will take place at this event, but we always recommend you bring some products in a bag to show and share with others!

Featured Guests:

• Steve Buhagair - Grocery Buyer @ Woodlands Market
• Kasey Blueitt - Local Feild Coordinator @ Meijer
• Travis Reams - Manager, Supplier Relationship Management @ Meijer
• Dan Epley - SVP Mechandising @ Whole Foods Market
• Harshal Rana - Operations Manager @ Nature's Way Health Foods
• John Trainor - Category Manager, Center Store @ Giant Food
• Meg MacAvoy - Categoiry Management @ Giant Food
• Katherine Bousson - Category Manager, Frozen@ Giant Food
• Josh Hardester - Category Manager, HBC @ Giant Food
• Jeremy Schultz - Category Manager, Snacking @ Giant Food
• Jessica Groves - Supplier Development Manager @ Ahold Dehaize
• Billy Bell - Dot Foods
• Lena Brophy - Dot Foods
• Caleb Oliver - Sr. Business Development Manager @ Dot Foods
• Erik Mills - Business Development Manager @ Dot Foods
• Ryan Dunn - Business Development Manager @ Dot Foods
• Park Plank - Director of Business Development @ Dot Foods

Sponsors:

Justworks

Justworks is a technology company that levels the playing field for all small businesses. Through our software and as a partner, we help our customers take care of their teams, streamline their operations, and navigate the complex aspects of managing a workforce with confidence.

Interested in sponsoring this epic party? Email partnerships@startupcpg.com

About Startup CPG

Startup CPG is the biggest community in the world for emerging brands. We have 30k+ Slack members, produce the #1 podcast in CPG, host 100+ events per year, and are the #1 education hub for brands trying to improve our CPG ecosystem. It’s free — join today!

Instagram: @startupcpg

Health & Safety Standards, Refund Policy

There is a no refund policy. Regarding Health & Safety the organization follows local state guidelines & the same policies adapted by New Hope / Expo.