Semifinalists revealed: 10 brands pitching at the 2019 Expo East Pitch Slam

With just a few weeks left until Natural Products Expo East 2019, it's that exciting time again; New Hope Network has selected the 10 standout brands pitching at the Expo East Pitch Slam in Baltimore.

This year, we received the largest number of Expo East Pitch Slam applications ever and the caliber of products were top notch, which made it extra tough to determine which brands would dance through to the semifinals.

But, after hours of careful consideration and taste-testing (new this year), the New Hope Network content team and a group of 10 industry experts determined who will pitch for the chance to snag more than $40,000 in New Hope Network services–including a FREE booth at Natural Products Expo East 2020.

These 10 emerging brands model true innovation within the natural products industry, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on each.

The Pitch

Semifinals Competition Sept. 11, 2019
5-6:30 p.m. Hilton Key Ballroom 7/8

Sponsored by: 301 Inc., Moss Adams

Presented by: BrandHive, Performance MPG, Whipstitch Capital, Creative Alignments, L.E.K., Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Venable

Finals Competition Sept. 12, 2019
4:30-6:30 p.m. Hilton, Key Ballroom 7/8

Sponsored by: 301 Inc., Moss Adams

Presented by: BrandHive, Performance MPG, Whipstitch Capital, Creative Alignments, L.E.K., Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Venable

Judges select one grand prize winner. Both competitions are open to all badgeholders.

The Selection

The 10 Selection Committee and Mentors below will be partnered up with the 10 brands over the next few weeks to help them perfect their Expo East pitch.

Expo East 2019 Pitch Slam Selection Committee and Mentors

John Grubb, Summit Venture Management
Wynn Wiksell, The JM Smucker Company
Ryan Pintado-Vertner, Smoketown
Elliot Begoun, The Intertwine Group
Heidi Traore, National Coop Grocers
Kelly Criswell, The GRO Agency
Debbie Wildrick, Metabrand
Ainsley Moir, Engineer Your Brand
Kristena Wozniak, Propeller Industries
Risa Schulman, Tap~Root

These are the five industry leaders who will select the five finalists competing in Thursday's Finals competition.

Expo East 2019 Pitch Slam Expert Panel

Lauren Jupiter, AccelFoods
Kelly Landrieu, Whole Foods Market
Blake Mitchell, Interact Boulder
Esther Park, Cienega Capital
Chelsea Williams, That’s Chelsea

The 10

Join us in Baltimore this September at the Expo East Pitch Slam. Want to get in on the competition? Natural Products Expo West 2020 Pitch Slam applications open December 2019.