# #110 Recapping Expo East 2023: The End of An Era

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2023-10-10
- Length: 35m
- Episode: 87
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/71da8613

## Summary

Host Jessi Freitag is joined by Monica Watrous, Patricia Menegoto, and Kiki Huddleston to recap the final Expo East 2023, discussing the industry's reaction to the event's rebranding as Newtopia Now. The group highlights key trends such as the booming non-alcoholic beverage sector, international flavors like Korean rice drinks and tahini-based products, and functional snacks. They also detail the success of the Startup CPG section, the 'Mic Drop' party featuring backpack brands like Chutni Punch and Crooked Owl, and share their favorite product discoveries from the show floor.

## Chapters

- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=90) Introduction and Expo East Context
- [4:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=251) Broad Industry Trends: Non-Alcoholic and International Flavors
- [9:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=582) Startup CPG Section and Buyer Engagement
- [15:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=900) Mic Drop Party and Backpack Brand Winners
- [22:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=1355) Best Bites and Sips: Tahini, Mocktails, and Snacks
- [28:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-10-110-recapping-expo-east-2023-the-end-of-an-era#t=1680) Final Shoutouts, Swag, and Future Events

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- RangeMe (company)
- New Hope Network (company)
- Newtopia Now (other)
- Food Business News (other)
- Food Entrepreneur (other)
- Startup CPG (company)
- Thrive Market (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Halmi (product)
- Better Sour (product)
- Fila Manila (product)
- Growee Foods (product)
- Happy Wolf (product)
- Bollygood (product)
- Mocktail Club (product)
- Sweet Tahini (product)
- Pricklee (product)
- Crooked Owl (product)
- Chutni Punch (product)
- Neeshi (product)
- Pedestrian Project (product)
- Journ (product)
- Pzaz (product)
- Full of Beans (product)
- Blue Zones Kitchen (product)
- Seedly (product)
- Popadelics (product)
- Bundle x Joy (product)
- Must Love (product)
- Blobs (product)
- Moss (product)
- Root Foods (product)
- Reprised Health (product)
- Treehouse Naturals (product)
- Soom (product)
- Paro (product)
- S'NOODS (product)
- Hazelicious (product)
- Geem (product)
- Snoods (product)
- Non-Alcoholic Adult Beverage Association (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-02-13-advice-line-with-travis-boersma-of-dutch-bros) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Andy Dunn of Bonobos](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-04-17-advice-line-with-andy-dunn-of-bonobos) (How I Built This)
- [(Almost) COAST TO COAST Tour Recap and Preview of Manufacturing Happy Hour's 10-Year Anniversary](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-13-almost-coast-to-coast-tour-recap-and-preview-of-manufacturing-happy-hours-10-yea) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [343 - Returning guest, Manya Rubinstein on her new BIG venture!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-03-17-343-returning-guest-manya-rubinstein-on-her-new-big-venture) (People of Packaging)
- [224 - Hoste cocktails unboxing extravaganza of joy with Evelio Mattos](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-06-224-hoste-cocktails-unboxing-extravaganza-of-joy-with-evelio-mattos) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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