(included) CPG launching trade show program for BIPOC founders

(included) CPG, a collective of BIPOC founders and executives in consumer packaged goods, is excited to evolve their program offerings with (included) ACCESS, the first retail growth accelerator trade show preparation program for BIPOC founders in food and beverage.

The launch of this newly branded program, funded by Informa Markets' New Hope Network and the Specialty Food Association, will roll out with two eight-week cohorts that cumulate with sponsored exhibition and programming at Natural Products Expo West and the Summer Fancy Food Show.

(included) ACCESS is designed to provide BIPOC founders with free trade show sponsorship, curated resources, strategic mentorship, an active peer community, media exposure and direct access to key industry events and decision makers to propel emerging brands toward national visibility and omni-channel retail success.

(included) CPG has been previously engaged with New Hope Network and the Specialty Food Association to provide opportunities at industry trade shows including Natural Products Expo West 2022, Natural Products Expo East 2022, Summer Fancy Food Show 2022 and the upcoming Winter Fancy Food Show.

"Founders of color face a number of additional hurdles in their entrepreneurial journeys, including lack of access to pivotal industry events, the resources to optimize for trade show success, and the network to reach key decision-makers. (included) ACCESS is a game-changing opportunity for emerging BIPOC founders who are ready to take their brands to the next level," said Cindy Li, director of (included) ACCESS. She also is the founder and Tea-EO of Uproot Teas.

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Applications for Cohort 1 will be accepted online through Dec. 2. Beginning in January, the program will kick off with 10 selected brands that will receive sponsored exhibition, speaking engagements and curated networking opportunities at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. Applications for Cohort 2 will open in February, with programming beginning in April and ending at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

"Supporting BIPOC founders through (included) ACCESS is an honor, and we are excited to raise the visibility and provide an important jump start for the ACCESS brands this year at Expo West and beyond," said Carlotta Mast, senior vice president and market leader at Informa Markets' New Hope Network. "The CPG and retail ecosystem needs these companies to reach its full potential, and consumers are demonstrating a clear desire for food and other products that represent who they are and cater to their tastes."

"As a not-for-profit membership trade association, the Specialty Food Association is dedicated to creating a more inclusive specialty food community of members. Supporting (included) allows us to put our values into action and provide an opportunity at our Fancy Food Shows for under-served communities to experience what makes our industry so special," said Bill Lynch, president of the Specialty Food Association.

Visit (included) ACCESS for more information and to apply.

Source: (included) CPG