Events
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Our upcoming events are all about connection, creativity, and collaboration. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the experience.
Packaging, Claims, and Compliance: How AI Can Help CPG Brands Launch With Confidence (Webinar)
Bringing a CPG product to market involves more than creating a great product. Overlooking packaging, labeling, or marketing compliance can lead to costly redesigns, launch delays, retailer challenges, and legal risk.
In this session, Michael Wu and Catherine Zhou from Truli, along with Blake Bouldin, will walk you through the most common compliance pitfalls CPG brands face, where compliance fits into the product development process, and how AI-powered tools can help streamline label and marketing reviews.
Through real-world examples and a live demonstration of the Truli platform, you’ll learn how AI can help identify potential risks, support marketing claims, organize approved claims by SKU, and maintain consistency across packaging, websites, e-commerce listings, social media, and other customer touchpoints.
Speaker Bios
Catherine Zhou is the co-founder and CEO of Truli, where she leads the company's product and AI strategy. She works closely with food and beverage brands, regulatory experts, and legal professionals to develop AI tools that help modernize compliance workflows and navigate evolving regulatory requirements.
Prior to founding Truli, Catherine conducted machine learning research at Stanford University and MD Anderson Cancer Center, applying AI to healthcare and drug discovery. She has co-authored a publication in Nature and presented her research at international scientific conferences. Her experience building AI for complex, highly regulated fields inspired her to bring the same technology to regulatory compliance in the food and beverage industry.
Michael Wu is the co-founder and COO of Truli, where he leads the company's sales, marketing, and finance operations. He works directly with CPG brands, regulatory professionals, and channel partners to bring Truli's AI compliance platform to market, driving the company's first enterprise partnerships with brands across the food, beverage, and supplement industries.
Prior to founding Truli, Michael built AI products for startups and financial institutions. He also founded a nonprofit bringing live music to underserved communities, was an international piano champion, and a national debate champion. His firsthand experience navigating FDA compliance while launching a consumer product inspired him to build Truli and make regulatory expertise accessible to every brand.
Blake Bouldin is a food industry regulatory and commercialization leader with more than 22 years of experience spanning product development, quality, food safety, regulatory affairs, and commercialization. For the past 11 years, he has specialized in regulatory strategy for food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods, helping organizations build regulatory capabilities, navigate complex requirements, manage risk, and bring products to market.
Throughout his career, Blake has built and transformed regulatory functions, guided high-volume and complex product portfolios, supported global commercialization, and developed teams and processes designed to identify regulatory risk before it becomes a business problem. At Liquid I.V., he built the regulatory function as the brand grew from approximately $300 million to more than $1 billion in annual sales, establishing a capability that was recognized with an internal Unilever award, with no major public regulatory enforcement actions during his tenure.
Food, Fashion, Finance at BOSS
We are excited to host our third annual "Food, Fashion & Finance" program at the BOSS Flagship store in Columbus Circle NYC on September 14 during NY Fashion Week!
In partnership with the Food Institute, the program will feature intentional networking and a program with speakers from BOSS and leaders in food, fashion and finance and the creative economy.
Reception will offer free samples from our partners including Oishii berry, ITO EN tea and other food and beverage brands.
Free to attend for Well Network members and sponsor partners. Additional guests may opt to purchase a ticket subject to venue capacity.
Get involved in Food, Fashion, & Finance:
White and Private Label Expo Event
The Well Network is pleased to partner with the world's largest business event for white and private label sourcing.
The White and Private Label Expo event will be held from September 30 - October 1 at the Javits Center in New York City, bringing together thousands of retailers, brands, manufacturers, and e-commerce professionals to connect with trusted suppliers, and explore the latest trends shaping the industry.
The White & Private Label Expo is co-located with three leading retail and e-commerce events: Smart Retail Tech, E-commerce Packaging & Labeling Expo, and the Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo. Your event pass provides access to all four shows, offering a one-stop destination to explore retail and e-commerce solutions, from product sourcing and packaging to logistics and fulfillment. As one of the industry's premier sourcing events, attendees will have access to hundreds of exhibitors, expert led seminars, and keynote sessions covering retail, e-commerce, branding, product sourcing, and logistics.
Building Consumer Brands That Last
Consumer brands are being built under new rules. Discovery has moved to social, distribution is won on attention rather than shelf space, and capital has grown selective as investment concentrates elsewhere. The brands that endure are the ones that get product, channel, supply chain, and story right at the same time.
Join Sunstone Venture & Innovation Center, SHOPLINE, and The Well Network for a morning to afternoon on what it actually takes to build a consumer brand that lasts. Two panels — one with founders that are actively scaling, one with the experts who work across the consumer value chain — alongside a showcase floor featuring 20+ emerging DTC brands.
The Panels Founders Panel — Building From Zero Consumer founders on what actually moved the needle and what they'd do differently: finding early traction, building a brand people repeat-buy, navigating social commerce and creator channels, and the operational realities of manufacturing, inventory, and cash.
Expert and Investor Panel — What It Takes to Scale Experts in the systems behind durable brands: supply chain and landed cost, retail and marketplace expansion, performance and creator marketing, and what investors are underwriting in consumer today. This event is concluded by founder and brand pop-up market as well as a networking session.
SHOPLINE is awarding up to $50K Grant/Equity and resources to help established and emerging brands unlock their digital potential.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
The New Consumer Wellness Stack with Helios
Helios & Partners and The Well Network Present: "The New Consumer Wellness Stack: Beauty, Health & Tech Trends Shaping What People Buy" A curated gathering of founders, operators, investors, and brand builders exploring how technology is shaping the next generation of consumer wellness.
From beauty and longevity to AI, personalization, commerce, and community-led growth, this program will examine where consumer behavior is moving, what brands are building, and how capital is following the convergence of wellness, technology, and culture.
By registering or attending the event, the participant consents to receiving emails from the organizers Helios & Partners, The Well Network and partners.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
Well-Built In NYC at Ludlow House
Event Details
The Well Network and Ludlow House invite you to an exclusive evening featuring New York based founders who are building the next generation of innovative consumer brands.
Join us at Soho House's private members club on the Lower East Side of New York City for an evening of networking, conversation, and community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals shaping the future of the consumer packaged goods industry. Featured partners will provide product samples, and appetizers will be served throughout the evening.
What's Stopping Your CPG Website from Converting - And How AI Can Help (Webinar)
You're driving traffic to your website. So why aren't they buying?
Most CPG brands reach for AI tools hoping to fix their marketing. But AI applied to a weak foundation just produces more of what is not working, faster.
In this session, brand strategist and bestselling co-author Ari Krzyzek walks you through a practical framework for diagnosing what is actually stopping your website from converting, fixing the right things first, and then using AI as a tool to sharpen your messaging, understand your visitors, and iterate faster without adding more to your plate.
You will walk away knowing exactly where your website is losing sales, what to fix before you touch any AI tool, and four specific ways AI can help you convert better once your foundation is solid.
No technical jargon. No generic marketing advice. Just a straightforward framework for turning your website into your best-performing sales tool.
Speaker Bio
Ari Krzyzek is the CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia, a WBENC-certified creative and web agency based in Chicago that has served 300+ businesses over 17 years. She is the bestselling co-author of Made to Sell: Creating Websites that Convert and a recognized expert in brand strategy, website conversion, and AI-powered marketing.
Ari has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, and Buffer, and is a board member at DePaul University's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center. Organizations like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center, WBENC, Naturally Chicago, and more partnered with her for their programming and mentorship programs.
Summer Fancy Food: Panel + Reception
Event Details
The Well Network and The Food Institute are pleased to announce an annual reception and program during the Summer Fancy Food Show on June 29, 2026 and hosted by our partners at Alliance Bernstein at their offices in Hudson Yards, NYC.
Monday, June 29 between 5pm-8pm ET featuring a high-profile panel of industry experts and speciality food and beverage exhibitors.
Here are the details of the panel:
The New Leaders in Specialty Food: How High-Growth Brands Are Winning in 2026
What separates today’s breakout specialty food brands from the rest of the market? In this session, The Well Network and The Food Institute convenes industry leaders to examine the companies driving exceptional growth across CPG, retail, foodservice, and e-commerce in 2026. Drawing on industry market intelligence, consumer insights, and real-world business examples, the panel will explore how top-performing brands are translating shifting consumer preferences and macroeconomic pressures into measurable revenue gains.
Speakers
Attendees will learn which specialty food brands and categories are gaining momentum, the commercial strategies fueling sustained growth, and how evolving shopper behavior is reshaping the competitive landscape. From product positioning and retail execution to innovation and consumer engagement, this discussion offers founders, retailers, and investors a practical look at what it takes to outperform in today’s specialty food market.
Sponsors:
Partners:
Don’t Let Lawsuits Derail Your Raise: Managing CPG Claims & Labeling Risk Before Investors Ask (Webinar)
Webinar:
With the Experts from Morrison FoersterFor emerging and high-growth CPG brands, product claims and labeling decisions can create significant legal exposure — and investors are paying attention. From class actions targeting marketing language to regulatory scrutiny over ingredient and sustainability claims, litigation risk can quickly become a distraction from growth and fundraising.
This session will break down why CPG brands are frequently targeted and what founders and operators can do to proactively reduce risk. We’ll also discuss how strong advertising and claims strategies can lead to smoother fundraising processes by minimizing diligence issues, preserving capital for growth initiatives, and increasing investor confidence.
Program:
• Why CPG brands get sued and what you can do to minimize risks as you build your business
• Why it matters to investors and how a proactive advertising and labeling strategy can help you raise capital more efficiently
• Q&A
Presenters:
NY TechWeek Founder & Investor Breakfast @ The Ned
The Well Network, in partnership with The Ned Club Nomad, is pleased to host a breakfast with founders and investors as part of NY TechWeek. Special guests will share about their role in NYC's innovation ecosystem. Attendance is limited to Ned's Club members and guests and requires advanced approval.
This event is a part of #NYTechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
By registering or attending the event, the participant consents to receiving emails from the organizers The Ned's Club, The Well Network and partners.
Topi Topics Off the Floor: What Actually Works Across Product, Distribution, and Operations
Hosted with The Well Network, Naturally Chicago, Topi Ventures, JP Morgan and The Food Institute.
Thanks to our brand supporters at Heywell, Owl's Brew, Pilot Project Brewing, Mr. Bing, The Cumin Club and friends.
A short, high-signal session during NRA, set inside a room of operators, brands, and partners. Three speakers. Clear points of view.
What sounds good does not always work.
What works does not always scale.
This is about the gap.
Speakers include:
Liz Einhorn — Founder, Experience Threee
Marcus Wasdin — Advisor, Audivi.ai; Former CRO, PAR Technology; Former SVP, Inspire Brands
Brian Goldberg — Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Mr Bing Foods
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3 speakers. 6 minutes each. 20 slides, 20 seconds.
Followed by a 20-minute moderated discussion.
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If you care about what actually holds up once it hits real operations, this is for you.
Join before the session to connect with operators, brands, and partners in the room. Stay after for a more informal conversation with speakers and attendees.
A room of ~150 across operators, brands, and technology.
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The Food Institute Podcast and Heritage Radio Network will be on-site to conduct some recorded interviews at the event. If you're interested in being interviewed, contact us at info@foodinstitute.com.
InvestCPG with Union Kitchen
InvestCPG with Union Kitchen & Partners in Washington, DC.
The Scale Pitch is the main event. It features five CPG brands with a national presence. These companies are already winning in the market, building strong fundamentals, and preparing for the next stage of growth. Applications open until April 1. Apply Here
The Market Fit Pitch gives the audience an early look at what’s coming next in CPG. These are regional brands selling in stores. They are breaking through with early traction and growing demand. Applications open until April 1. Apply Here
Please check out the registration page to ensure your eligibility to pitch before applying.
The Well Network Members can attend for free, reach out to hello@thewellnetwork.com to be added.
Strengthening Cyber Risk Oversight (webinar)
With Christine Baird of Clarus Tech Partners
First Fridays Member Event
First Fridays is a Member-Only online community event for connection and professional opportunities.
Members, check your inbox, or reach out to hello@thewellnetwork.com, to join.
First Fridays Member Event
First Fridays is a Member-Only online community event for connection and professional opportunities.
Members, check your inbox, or reach out to hello@thewellnetwork.com, to join.
The Well Network Summit West
Join us at TWN Summit West, designed for leaders across the consumer goods ecosystem, taking place March 3rd at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA—minutes from the convention center.
The day features senior-level panels with consumer goods executives, a live pitch slam with VC and PE investors, a curated brand marketplace, wellness area for show prep, and an early evening networking reception in a standout cultural setting.
Members attend at no cost. Non-members are encouraged to apply to unlock access, while a limited number of tickets are available with early-bird pricing through February 18th. Sponsorships and partnerships are now open for brands and service providers seeking meaningful engagement with a high-intent audience.
Get involved:
Embrace the Trend, Taste the Future
Embrace the Trend, Taste the Future is an invite-only pop-up hosted by SHOPLINE, in partnership with The Well Network and Helios Worldwide.
Hosted in Santa Monica, the experience brings together forward-thinking brands, investors, and community members for an afternoon of product sampling, discovery, and conversation — highlighting how culture, taste, and innovation are evolving together.
With red and gold accents inspired by Lunar New Year, the space celebrates new beginnings, momentum, and modern expression—vibrant, elevated, and forward-looking.
Come taste, sip, explore, and connect — the future starts here.
Lunar New Year Reception & Program
You are invited to celebrate the Lunar New Year with us on Thursday, February 12th in NYC!
We will feature a special program on Sales tax planning for consumer goods and SaaS companies working with CPG brands, with our presenting partners at Withum and Glimpse.
Speakers including Courtney Easterday and Dana Evanik of Withum and others to be announced.
We will also have Asian appetizers, drinks and festive treats to welcome the Year of the Horse!
2026 Kick-Off with Mark Nguyen and Brian Choi (webinar)
Let’s kick-off 2026 together (virtually ;))!
Join The Well Network’s Managing Partner, Mark Nguyen, and fellow Co-Founder and CEO of The Food Institute, Brian Choi, as they bring us up to date on:
2025 Recap and 2026 Plan
Tariff Update
2026 Trends Outlook
Mark your calendars and add the link to join.
Gratitude Celebration
We welcome members, partners and guests to celebrate the start of the holiday season with us at the Gansevoort hotel in NYC, 6-8pm.
Hosted in partnership with the Seven24 Collective, the private member's club located in the Gansevoort hotel.
We will feature festive beverages, tasty appetizers, and complimentary samples from our community members.
Preparing for Paper-Based Packaging (Webinar)
Join Matthew Wright, Sylvia Rothbein, and Paul Rothbein in a panel discussion moderated by Rob Rinderman, as they talk through future uses of paper-based packaging.
Before founding Specright, the first cloud-based platform for Specification Management, Matthew spent more than 25 years in the packaging industry, holding leadership positions at International Paper, Temple Inland, and rightPAQ — a packaging company he co-founded. He has also been involved in leading multiple M&A deals in the packaging industry, currently sits on the MSU School of Packaging and Industry Advisory Board and previously served on the Packaging Advisory Board at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.
Sylvia, President of HR Industries, leads a family-owned corrugated packaging company established in 1979. After 14 years in cosmetics marketing and product development, she brought her business and creative expertise to HR Industries, where she oversees all aspects of operations, growth, and innovation.
Paul is an Account Executive and Business Development professional at HR Industries, a 46-year-old family-owned company specializing in corrugated packaging for small businesses. With a background in the Virtual Reality industry, Paul brings a modern, technology-driven approach to packaging, exploring innovative ways to connect products, people, and ideas.
Industry Night at PopUp Grocer NYC
You're invited to join us for Industry Night at PopUp Grocer hosted by The Well Network and PopUp Grocer and presented by Glimpse, 7-9pm.
Sample products from new and emerging CPG brands including those featured in Pop Up Grocer.
Network with industry professionals in the consumer, consumer tech and wellness space.
Meet The Makers with Union Kitchen
The annual “Meet the Makers” industry program and reception will take place on Saturday, October 18th, beginning at 2pm, at Washington Harbour on the Georgetown waterfront in Washington DC.
Unwind & Connect at Naturepedic - #LATechWeek
Unwind and connect mindfully after a busy TechWeek at a wellness reception and program on sleep tech hosted by The Well Network and Naturepedic's showroom near West Hollywood.
Join founders, investors and members of our vibrant community in the consumer and consumer tech space. Lite bites and drinks provided. Thanks to partners who are providing samples and gift bag items.
By registering or attending the event, the participant consents to receiving emails from the organizers Naturepedic, The Well Network and partners.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
How Brands Launch and Scale in Convenient Stores
How Brands Launch and Scale in Convenient Stores (during the NACS Show)
Taco Tech Tuesday at Vatom House Venice - #LATechWeek
Join us for Taco Tech Tuesday hosted by The Well Network, Vatom, and partners including Glimpse at the cool and creative Vatom House in Venice!
Street tacos, drinks and a program featuring Vatom's Intelligent Engagement platform for next-generation brand engagement and customer connection. Join founders, investors and members of our community in the consumer tech and consumer goods space.
By registering or attending the event, the participant consents to receiving emails from the organizers The Well Network, Vatom and partners.
This event is a part of #LATechWeek—a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
Sound & Taste
We are co-hosting a private event at Technica House in Soho, NYC in partnership with Audio Technica and AUTEC.
We will showcase a curated selection of Japanese brands including Audio Technica music gear and sushi made using AUTEC's sushi robots, along with Oishii strawberries, ITO EN tea, Brooklyn Kura sake and other specialty products.
There will also be a special musical performance and guests are welcome to play vinyl records from the house collection.
Please note this event is guests of Audio Technica and AUTEC, and The Well Network members and guests.
Admission subject to approval and venue capacity.
The New Wellness Economy: Feeling, Believing and Buying with Annie Bystryn (Webinar)
Join brand strategist & cultural analyst Annie Bystryn on September 3 for a strategic deep dive into how wellness became today’s most magnetic ideal — and a trillion-dollar market. She’ll break down the cultural codes, consumer contradictions, and business opportunities defining wellness today.
Algorithmic influence
Gendered ideals
Clean vs. clinical
Snackable wellness
Tariffs Update Since August 1st Deadline (Webinar)
Tariffs rates have increased again for many US trading partners. Tune in to hear the latest updates.
