# #234 -  Startup CPG's Expo West 2026 Preview

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-02-03
- Length: 37m
- Episode: 253
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-03-234-startup-cpgs-expo-west-2026-preview
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/bd1f7ee9

## Summary

Daniel Scharff and Patricia Menegoto of Startup CPG preview the organization's extensive lineup of events for Expo West 2026 in Anaheim. They detail the Monday Grocery Run with Gelson's 2.0, the Tuesday Kickoff Dinner and Industry Leader Dinners at the Anaheim White House, the transformed Alley Rally with 50 sampling brands, and the exclusive Thursday Founders Dinner at Poppy and Seed. The hosts emphasize tactical advice for attendees, such as bringing cold product, wearing brand swag, and leveraging the curated Startup CPG section for 500+ one-on-one buyer meetings.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Expo West 2026 Overview and Community Culture
2. Monday Grocery Run with Gelson's 2.0
3. Tuesday Kickoff Dinner and Industry Leader Dinners
4. Startup CPG Section and Buyer Meetings
5. Wednesday Alley Rally and Sampling Expansion
6. Thursday Founders Dinner and Community Connections

## Topics

- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Gelson's (company)
- Ahold (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Lupini (product)
- Pisca (product)
- Lucky Ox (product)
- Little Zing (product)
- Wishi (product)
- Figga Foods (product)
- Cracked Snacks (product)
- Poppy and Seed (company)
- Anaheim White House (company)
- Meijer (company)
- Woodlands (company)
- Hungry Root (company)
- Bevnet (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Sarah Kauss of S'well](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-20-advice-line-with-sarah-kauss-of-swell) (How I Built This)
- [290 - Taylor Foxman is the master connector for CPG's!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-09-26-290-taylor-foxman-is-the-master-connector-for-cpgs) (People of Packaging)
- [75 - Talking PackExpo 2021 with Laura Thompson, VP of Trade Shows at PMMI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-09-20-75-talking-packexpo-2021-with-laura-thompson-vp-of-trade-shows-at-pmmi) (People of Packaging)
- [12: The Conference Racket](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-04-21-12-the-conference-racket) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Advice Line with Jeni Britton of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (2025)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-09-advice-line-with-jeni-britton-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams-2025) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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