April 10, 2013
Chicago, IL

Program

 

Time
Speaker
Topic
11:30 – 12:30
Registration and Networking Lunch
12:30 -12:40
 John Craven
Founder
BevNET		 Welcoming address and introductions, explanation of the purpose and method of Beverage School. (video footage)
12:40 -1:10
 Eric Schnell
Founder
Metabrand		 Your Year One: The life of the beverage entrepreneur and key decisions faced by a new company. (video footage)
1:10 – 1:40
 Kate Ratliff
Technical Director
Flavorman		 The process by which a product goes from idea to manufacturable liquid suitable for packaging. (video footage)
1:40 – 2:10
 Justin Prochnow
Partner
Greenberg Traurig		 Breakdown of the legal requirements for labeling and the basic regulatory framework overseeing the beverage category. (video footage)
2:10 – 2:40
Coffee Break
2:40 – 3:10
 Bill Sipper
Managing Partner
Cascadia Managing Brands		 Routes to market and distribution methodology. (video footage)
3:10 – 3:40
 Debbie Wildrick
Founder
Growing Innovative Brands		 Channel strategies and outlining different retail styles. (video footage)
3:40 – 4:10
 Darrell Jursa
SVP, Practice Lead Emerging Media
Fleishman Hillard Chicago		 Evaluation of online marketing tactics for beverage startups. (video footage)
4:10 – 4:30
Coffee Break
4:30 – 5:00
 Brad Barnhorn
President
Barnhorn Growth Advisors		 Framework of basic funding options for beverage startups. (video footage)
5:00 – 5:30
 Neil Kimberley
Founder
Foods, Fluids and Beyond		 Discussion of company leadership structure and setting up advisory boards. (video footage)
5:30 – 6:00
 Leo Novosel (West Loop Beverages)
Scott Lerner (Solixir)
Katia Chiporukha (R.U.N. Enterprise)		 Winning in Chicago and the Midwest: Ways that start-ups can introduce themselves in their home region. (video footage)

Details are subject to change, additional updates to follow.

Past Programs