JUNE 12+13 | NEW YORK, NY

The Leading Beverage Industry Event Heads to New York this June

For more than a decade, the CPG industry has turned to BevNET Live to discover the latest trends and network with the beverage community. Our signature two-day event for the beverage industry brings together thought leaders, trailblazers, and the next generation of brand founders to help beverage industry professionals thrive.

This June 12-13, the beverage industry will gather in-person in New York, NY to learn and take action.

Register

Summer 2024 Speakers

At BevNET Live, beverage industry innovators and experts tackle the industry’s toughest challenges and provide solutions to help you move past obstacles and reach your next milestone.

20+ speakers will be announced. Stay tuned!

  • Reza Mirza, Group CEO, Icelandic Glacial - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Reza Mirza

    Group CEO, Icelandic Glacial

    Reza Mirza, Group CEO, Icelandic Glacial - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Reza Mirza

    Group CEO, Icelandic Glacial

    Reza Mirza brings over 20 years of consumer product experience as Group CEO of Icelandic Glacial, a leading super-premium natural spring water. Prior to Icelandic Glacial, Mirza was President of Activate Drinks. Mirza has also held several management positions at Nestle Waters North America and at Colgate-Palmolive in New York and with Bosch in India. Reza graduated with a degree in biochemistry from the University of Madras, India, An MBA from the International Management Institute, New Delhi, and a Masters in International Business and International Affairs from Columbia University in New York.

  • Emily Heintz, Founder & Chief Curator, Sèchey - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Emily Heintz

    Founder & Chief Curator, Sèchey

    Emily Heintz, Founder & Chief Curator, Sèchey - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Emily Heintz

    Founder & Chief Curator, Sèchey

    Emily launched Sèchey in 2021 after over two decades in the luxury retail industry. She created the concept based on her own journey living alcohol free and discovering sophisticated alternatives for socializing and connecting. In a nod to the French word for “dry,” Sèchey is a destination for celebration fueled by the no/low movement and the cultural shift to non-alcoholic and functional beverages instead of alcohol.

  • Yanni Hufnagel, Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Yanni Hufnagel

    Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect

    Yanni Hufnagel, Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Yanni Hufnagel

    Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect

    Yanni Hufnagel is the Founder and CEO of The Lemon Perfect Company, maker of Lemon Perfect, a delicious and refreshing flavored lemon water with zero sugar and no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Powered by half a squeezed organic lemon in every bottle, Lemon Perfect contains only 5 calories, is high in immune-boosting vitamin C, and is proudly certified Plastic Neutral. Beyoncé-backed Lemon Perfect is the fastest-growing brand in the Flavor-Enhanced Water category and is widely considered one of the most innovative emerging beverages in the marketplace. The company's mission is to sustainably reimagine bottled water by promoting great-tasting, healthy hydration—anytime, anywhere, and for everyone. The Lemon Perfect Company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Before starting Lemon Perfect, Hufnagel served as an assistant men’s college basketball coach, with stops at Nevada, California, Vanderbilt, Harvard, and Oklahoma. Hufnagel earned the reputation as one of the most dogged recruiters in America and was consistently lauded for signing nationally ranked recruiting classes. In Hufnagel’s 10 years coaching college basketball, his teams reached the NCAA Tournament six times.

  • Max Crowley, VP of Merchandising, Gopuff - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Max Crowley

    VP of Merchandising, Gopuff

    Max Crowley, VP of Merchandising, Gopuff - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Max Crowley

    VP of Merchandising, Gopuff

    As the Vice President of Merchandising at Gopuff, Max Crowley is responsible for overseeing the strategy and execution of product assortment, promotions, pricing, and digital placement to drive sales and provide a relevant, compelling assortment for customers. Max has extensive experience in creating, launching, and scaling startups. He joined Gopuff in 2020 following the acquisition of Bandit, a mobile-app-only coffee shop concept he co-founded. Under his leadership as CEO, Bandit, which integrated technology into the coffee retail experience, grew its presence in New York City before expanding to Austin, Texas. Prior to Bandit, Max spent seven years at Uber, starting as the 25th employee in 2011. He played a pivotal role in establishing Uber's operations in Chicago, the company's fourth market, and subsequently launched and led Uber for Business, which evolved into a significant division for the company.

  • Nick Bodkins, CEO & Founder, Boisson - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Nick Bodkins

    CEO & Founder, Boisson

  • Glenn Figenholtz, SVP of Marketing, Lowes Foods - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Glenn Figenholtz

    SVP of Marketing, Lowes Foods

  • Sallie Jian, Head of North America, Diageo Ventures - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Sallie Jian

    Head of North America, Diageo Ventures

    Sallie Jian, Head of North America, Diageo Ventures - BevNET Live Summer 2024

    Sallie Jian

    Head of North America, Diageo Ventures

    Sallie oversees Diageo’s investments in North America and sits on boards of various portfolio companies. Formerly, she helped launch and was Head of SAP.iO New York (corporate venture and innovation arm of SAP). She worked with SAP’s Corporate Development team on startup and growth equity investment and M&A opportunities. Prior to SAP, Sallie was a VP at SeedInvest where she was Head of the Venture Capital team. She was also CFO and Head of Business Development at Savile Row Society, a men’s e-commerce startup. Sallie began her career in financial services at Morgan Stanley Technology Investment Banking in Silicon Valley and General Atlantic in NYC. She graduated from the Haas Business Program at UC Berkeley. Sallie has been recognized by CNBC & America on Tech as a leader in Venture Capital and NYC Women in Fintech as a Top 50 Women Transforming FinTech. She is a frequent public speaker and has been invited to speak at Nasdaq, AdWeek, Retail X, NFT.NYC, SmartCon, Miami Hack Week, Solana, VC Summit, Women's Alternative Investment Summit, Supply Chain Revolution, and various business schools such as Fordham, Cornell Johnson, IESE, Stanford GSB, UC Berkeley.

Retailer One-to-Ones: Meet with Retail Executives

Buyers from Whole Foods Market and Lowes Foods will be scheduling meetings with beverage brands attending BevNET Live Summer 2024 on Wednesday, June 12th and Thursday, June 13th. Additional retailers to be announced!

Limited meeting spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Approved meetings are up to the discretion of the retailer. Register now to sign up.

Learn More

Recent Event Announcements

BevNET Live Summer 2024: Find Solutions with CEOs of Lemon Perfect, Icelandic Glacial

Problem-solving is on the agenda for BevNET Live Summer 2024 in New York City on June 12 & 13, as a pair of speakers from fast-moving beverage companies will discuss how they overcame key challenges to unlock growth.

Meet One-to-One with Whole Foods Market and Lowes Foods Buyers at BevNET Live Summer 2024

At BevNET Live in New York City on June 12 + 13, beverage brands can participate in retailer One-to-Ones, Powered by SIP & Relentless Trade Solutions. Whole Foods Market and Lowes Foods buyers will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings. Brands will be selected at each retailers’ discretion.

New Beverage Showdown at BevNET Live: Apply to Pitch Your Beverage Startup in NYC this June

Showcase your emerging beverage brand and leave a mark on hundreds of industry leaders, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs at BevNET’s New Beverage Showdown, presented by Coca Cola North America New Revenue Streams. The leading business pitch competition will take place at BevNET Live on June 12 + 13 in New York City.

Schedule

All times are subject to change.

Please note: All times US Eastern Time

  • 7:00 AM
    -
    9:00 AM
    Registration & Breakfast
  • 7:45 AM
    -
    9:45 AM
    Beverage School Presentations + Networking
    The morning of BevNET Live day 1, industry newcomers can learn the basics of running a beverage business and jumpstart their networking at Beverage School. Experts will present on topics early-stage beverage brands need to know, including finance, sales, marketing, design, and operations.
  • 10:00 AM
    -
    10:05 AM
    Welcome Remarks
  • 10:05 AM
    -
    12:00 PM
    Presentations
  • 12:00 PM
    -
    1:30 PM
    Lunch, Sampling & Taste Radio Studio
  • 1:30 PM
    -
    2:45 PM
    Presentations
  • 2:45 PM
    -
    4:15 PM
    New Beverage Showdown Semifinals
    Watch our newest set of founders present their brands and try to make the cut for the finals.
  • 4:00 PM
    -
    6:00 PM
    BevNET Live Official Happy Hour
    Join the official BevNET Live cocktail party for some time chatting with each other about the day’s lessons over more snacks and drinks, before adjourning for the day.

Please note: All times US Eastern Time

  • 7:00 AM
    -
    9:00 AM
    Registration & Breakfast
  • 9:00 AM
    -
    10:30 AM
    Presentations
  • 10:30 AM
    -
    11:00 AM
    Networking Break & Taste Radio Studio
  • 11:00 AM
    -
    11:30 AM
    New Beverage Showdown Finals - Round 1
    Our first three finalists make their pitch.
  • 11:30 AM
    -
    12:30 PM
    Presentations
  • 12:30 PM
    -
    2:00 PM
    Lunch, Sampling & Taste Radio Studio
  • 2:00 PM
    -
    2:30 PM
    New Beverage Showdown Finals - Round 2
  • 2:30 PM
    -
    3:45 PM
    Presentations
  • 3:45 PM
    -
    4:00 PM
    New Beverage Showdown: Winner Announcement, Judge’s Review & Closing Remarks

Sample the Latest Beverage Innovations

Pitching your product is great, but sometimes taste just speaks for itself. To move conversations forward and set you up for potential partnerships, beverages from attending brands are showcased in sampling fridges throughout the event. This makes it easier for brands and industry executives to connect and do business. Go beyond your pitch and form more meaningful relationships with industry investors, retailers, suppliers and service providers.

There are two sampling options for attendees. Non-alcoholic beverage products are sampled via self-service sample fridges throughout the event. Products that contain alcohol or THC (industrial hemp derived) or are meant for a party environment, such as a mocktail, are sampled during the Happy Hour at the end of Day 1.

You must be a registered attendee of BevNET Live Summer 2024 to sample.

Learn More

New Beverage Showdown: Put Your Brand in the Spotlight

Pitch your brand and your product to a panel of expert judges in front of our audience of retailers, investors, distributors, and other influential industry partners. New Beverage Showdown participants are the celebrities of BevNET Live. Be the center of attention among hundreds of industry executives and decision makers, receive instant feedback from an expert panel of judges, and compete for a prize valued at $10,000.

Learn More

Beverage School: Education to Get You Started

The day prior to BevNET Live, industry newcomers can learn the basics of running a beverage business and jumpstart their networking at Beverage School. Experts will present on the 5 topics early-stage beverage brands need to know, including finance, sales, marketing, design, and operations.

Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with the experts and ask them their toughest questions.

Beverage School helps lay the foundation for success. If you're just getting started in the natural packaged food industry, we recommend you attend the segment.

Learn More

Beverage Decision Makers Attend BevNET Live

Register

Plan Your Trip to New York City!

BevNET Live Summer 2023 will be held at:

Metropolitan Pavilion

125 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011

 

Get Directions