Creating Connections for Food Business Success
September 25-26, 2024
Garver Feed Mill, Madison, WI
Join food entrepreneurs and experts from across Wisconsin at this once-a-year, in-person opportunity to:
- LEARN from panels of food entrepreneurs who have successfully grown their businesses
- CONNECT with unique Wisconsin food businesses, buyers, and distributors at this year’s all-new Expo
- EXPERIENCE a behind-the-scenes tour of some of Madison’s most amazing food businesses
Lunch is included in this affordable, action-packed forum in the historic, architectural award-winning Garver Feed Mill. View the full agenda and schedule here.
FREE for Sponsors, Exhibitors, Buyers and Distributors
Add the Food Tours to your experience!
Learn from Successful Entrepreneurs
September 26 | Garver Feed Mill | Madison, WI
Learn the keys to food business success from seasoned experts across multiple food finance disciplines. Panelists share their experiences:
- Building and Executing Plans Worthy of Investment
- Trends and Innovations in Food & Farm Businesses
- Developing a Comprehensive E-Commerce Plan
Your full-day learning experience begins with a welcome kickoff from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation leadership.
Keynote Speakers
Sam Rikkers
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
Sam Rikkers is deputy secretary and chief operating officer for Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Previously he served as strategic economic initiatives director at the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Sam has an extensive background in rural development, both in the U.S. and internationally. He served in the White House from 2013 to 2014 as director on the energy and environment team in the Presidential Personnel Office, then was administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Before returning to Wisconsin in 2017, he launched and led the Rural Opportunity Initiative of the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. In Wisconsin, he served as executive director of Tiny Earth, a global initiative based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, harnessing the research of undergraduate students to discover new antibiotics. A native of Stoughton, Sam holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Macalester College. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia.
Corinne Shindelar
All Natural Strategies, Naturally Minnesota
Corinne Shindelar is principal of All Natural Strategies and chairperson of the board of Naturally Minnesota. As a leader deeply rooted in natural and organic foods and an active participant in the cooperative community, she has led successful retail grocery operations in MN, co-founded National Co-op Grocers (NCG), and was the Founder of Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association (INFRA). Corinne has received many awards, including being named NBJ’s Most Influential Person in the Industry and Progressive Grocers Top Executive Woman in Grocery. NFM named her one of 40 Unforgettable Founders in the natural products industry. Throughout her career she has served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards and is considered an expert in governance. She currently serves as the board chair of the Climate Collaborative and Naturally Minnesota, a director of Organic Voices and Once Again Nut Butter, and an advisor to emerging brands. After over 40 years in the business of leading organizations, she started All Natural Strategies, where she engages in board development, leadership coaching, strategic roadmap planning, contract negotiations and c-suite advisory services. Corinne continues her mission to build communities that strengthen actions for good.
Panelists
Nubian Simmons, The Pink Bakery
Danielle Goss, KUL MOCKS
Henry Aschauer, Forage Kombucha
David Payne, Potter’s Crackers
Angela Bozo, INFRA
Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Food Finance Institute & Catapult Commercialization Services
Steve Mehmert, T4 Solutions
Michael Semmann, Wisconsin Grocers Association
Adam Waldvogl, Dairyland Ginseng
Trever Knoflick, P2R Group
Connect at an All-New Food Business Expo
September 26 | Garver Feed Mill | Madison, WI
The 2024 Food Finance Forum now includes an Expo featuring dozens of FFI’s food, beverage and farm entrepreneurs, partner organizations and sponsors. Check out our growing list of exhibitors!
In addition to connecting in the exhibit area, food entrepreneurs, buyers, and distributors can meet one-one-one to explore good-fit partnerships that advance food business success.
Make meaningful, profitable connections within others in the food business community — and sample delicious food and beverages!
Interested in being an exhibitor? Register your business to exhibit at the event.
This is a unique opportunity to be seen by local buyers and distributors, network with food-focused entrepreneurs, and market your products to local consumers.
The Exhibitor Hall will be open to event attendees from 9am-4pm and to the general public from 4pm-6pm. Exhibitors will receive access to the full Food Finance Forum schedule of events, as well pre-arranged meetings with local buyers.
Experience the Tour de Food
September 25 | Madison, WI
Experience a delicious and informative tour of some of Madison’s most unique food businesses, all members of the FFI Fellows program who are building investible business models to grow and scale. This year’s tour includes:
Board our chartered bus from Avid Hotel in Monona. Add these tours to your forum registration, or purchase as a stand-alone.
Limited Spots – Register Now
Hotel Information
Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations at a discount in one of our hotel blocks:
Exhibitor Expo
Open to the Public for Happy Hour!
Visit the all-new Expo at our 2024 event and get to know our exhibitors – unique food businesses, buyers, and distributors from across Wisconsin and beyond. Attendees are encouraged to visit our exhibitor booths throughout the day Sept. 26. The Forum and Expo will culminate in Happy Hour at Garver Feed Mill on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 from 4-6PM with a cash bar, plus free samples and goods available for purchase from our exhibitors.
There’s still time to register your business as an exhibitor! Exhibitors get:
- Your own booth in the beautiful, historic Garver Feed Mill during the Forum, Expo, and Happy Hour
- Free registration for the full program of sessions and lunch during the Food Finance Forum and Expo
- The opportunity to meet one-on-one with food-focused buyers, distributors, entrepreneurs, and consumers
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Support Food Entrepreneurs — Donate Today!
Your donation makes it possible for more food entrepreneurs to learn, connect, and experience the Food Finance Forum and Expo. Click below to make your donation!