BevNET Live L.A. 2025 — Agenda
December 7-9, 2025
Pacific Time
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025
- 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
-- Beverage School --
Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
On the first day of 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 - 12:00 PM – 12:10 PM
Welcome and Introduction to Beverage School
- 12:10 PM – 12:30 PM
The Life of a Founder: An Interview with Oded Brenner
The entrepreneur behind beverage CPG brand Blue Stripes, and before that chocolate brand Max Brenner, offers advice and lessons from his long career.- Oded Brenner, CEO & Founder (Blue Stripes )
- 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
Make Your Branding & Packaging Unforgettable
In this session, attendees walk through the brand foundations that set the stage for standout packaging, a method for testing whether its positioning is truly unique, and how to translate that positioning into branding and packaging that actually works (on shelf, online, and in the consumer’s life).
- Jacques Rossouw, Creative Director & Managing Partner (Voicebox)
- 12:50 PM – 1:10 PM
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Food and Beverage Distribution But Were Afraid to Ask
This discussion provides a concise overview of the beverage industry's distribution and retail landscape. It emphasizes that success hinges on great execution, not just a great brand. The talk covers essential topics such as different types of distributors, sales channels, pricing and margins, and the real costs of getting a product on the shelf. It also highlights common mistakes made by founders and offers practical advice for navigating the competitive beverage market, where shelf space is a battlefield.- Bill Sipper, Managing Partner (Cascadia Managing Brands)
- 1:10 PM – 1:30 PM
Coffee Break
- 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
Exotic Ingredients and Bold Claims: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in Beverage Innovation
This fast-paced session explains the essential steps for ensuring your ingredients are truly GRAS and your product claims are fully substantiated—turning regulatory challenges into marketing strengths. Walk away with actionable tips to vet novel botanicals, navigate the latest FDA standards, and protect your brand from costly litigation. With a discussion of precisely what regulators are watching and how shrewd marketing keeps your products safe and competitive in 2025.- Todd Harrison, Partner (Venable LLP)
- 1:50 PM – 2:10 PM
Understanding Equity and Convertible Notes
This session will cover the basics of common stock, preferred stock, stock options, and convertible notes, and the common ways they are used in a company’s growth, including structuring founder equity, building the team, expectations of investors, and dilution.- Ellie Myers, Associate (Nutter)
- 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM
Getting it Made: Inside Input Costs and Copacking
Experts in sourcing supplies and manufacturing capabilities, Brown and Near show attendees how to think about finding ingredients, packaging, and the machinery to get your idea flowing into the bottle -- without drowning in debt.- Beth Brown, Founder (S3 Connect)
- Tim Near, Partner (Agrowgate)
- 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Expert Round Tables
Location: Outdoor Sinder Lounge - Lobby Level
Meet with our expert speakers for individual questions and group discussion during this Beverage School networking period.
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
-- Cannabis Unit --
Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level - 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Cannabis Drinks Look Forward: The Entrepreneurs’ Perspective
- Ben Starmer, Co-Founder & CEO (Dad Grass)
- Brandon Hanson, CEO & Co-Founder (Goodmellow)
- 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Cannabis Issues for the Coming Year
- Sahar Ayinhsazian, Partner (A.Y. Strauss)
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Sponsored Workshop: Hitting the Sweet Spot in Beverages
Location: Malibu - Lower Level
Join us to learn about consumer perceptions around sweetness, plus tips and tricks for selecting the perfect sweetener system to create great tasting beverages. From masking off notes to achieving a balanced sweetness profile, gain insights that will take consumers from trial to loyalty! Come thirsty. We’ll taste along the way!- Emily Berg, Marketing Manager, Beverages (Cargill)
- Leanne Pinsonneault, Senior Food Scientist, Beverages (Cargill)
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
-- RTD Spirits Unit --
Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level - 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Data Overview: The Market for RTDs
- Danelle Kosmal, Consultant (3 Tier Beverages )
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Appetite for Disruption: Sales & Marketing Tactics for RTDs
- Marian Leitner-Waldman, Founder & CEO (Archer Roose Wines)
- Adam Kroener, President & Co-Founder (Carbliss)
- Mike Perry, Founder/CCO (Tavern Agency)
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
BevNET Live Welcome Reception
Location: Outer Foyer - Lobby Level
Join us for beverages, light appetizers and networking. BevNET Live registration and a valid ID are required to attend.
Please note that event agendas are subject to change.