This January, the Colorado F&B Co-Manufacturing Summit brings together brands and co-manufacturers to discuss opportunities and challenges in Colorado's consumer product production ecosystem.

Register here - CFW members save $5 with code (same as Naturally Boulder member price). Check your email if you are a member or email us at hello@colorodofoodworks.org

Topics we'll be covering:

• State of the industry: Explore macro-trends shaping national F&B manufacturing and operations

• Regional and local dynamics in brand development and co-manufacturing

• Business dynamics shaping current brand-manufacturer relationships

• Best-practices in negotiating co-man contracts and relationships

Schedule

3 p.m. Tours of the CSU Food Innovation Center

4 p.m. Networking – connecting brands and co-manufacturers, refreshments, appetizers

5 p.m. Panel Discussion

6 p.m. Refreshments, appetizers, and networking

Join us for another year of ugly sweaters and holiday cheer! We will be continuing our tradition of donating food to a local organization. We look forward to networking, giving back, and seasonal celebration with the CFW community.

RSVP here.

Are you thinking about updating your CPG product label in 2024? Thinking about making a “Healthy” Claim on your package? Is your functional food or beverage “Anti-Inflammatory”? In this month’s event we will be reviewing top labeling mistakes that can result in lawsuits and costly re-prints. Avoid the headache and join us for a panel of Labeling and Regulatory Experts along with an interactive scavenger hunt to find packaging errors.

RVSP here.

Zach Macaffer has prepared one of the most important presentations for all CFW members! He and his panel will cover everything you need to know about being sustainable with your ingredients and supply chain while scaling your business at the same time.Here are a few of his highlights:

1. Focusing on sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients

2. Connecting with ingredient suppliers and farmers

3. Regenerative farming

4. Growing your company well and responsibly

Yes, you can take control of your supply chain to do the right thing while growing your company. He will cover all the bases while explaining this goal’s importance. Sign up here.

Join us for an eye-opening event focused on the transition from in-house sales to brokerage. In a world of changing consumer foods, brands face challenges in expanding their retail presence and securing buyer conversations. At this event, industry experts and successful brands will share insights on navigating the market upheaval. Discover the role of brokers, when to collaborate with them, and how to forge fruitful partnerships that get your products on shelves. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. Reserve your spot now and unlock the keys to successful retail expansion.

Colorado Food Works is hosting this event as part of Denver Startup Week - for more information and to sign up click below.

RSVP here.

Connect with Food & Beverage experts and the community at our FAB Office Hour Mini Sessions! Schedule a free 20-minute one-on-one session with industry experts in Finance, Marketing, Operations, Brokerage, or Distribution. Get personalized advice, and answers to burning questions, and tap into their expertise with no strings attached. Join us for this non-profit initiative brought to you by Colorado Food Works supporting F&B Entrepreneurs. Limited spots are available—sign up today!

Colorado Food Works is hosting this event as part of Denver Start Up Week - Learn more and sign up at the link below.

RSVP here.

Attention food and beverage businesses! Join our intimate distribution discussion to get the inside scoop from industry experts. Discover the signs that indicate you're ready for distribution, how to navigate the distribution landscape, and the key questions to ask. Hear firsthand experiences from both large-scale distributors and self-distributed brands, along with insights from retailers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and grow. Reserve your spot now and unlock the secrets of successful distribution at any stage of your business.

Colorado Food Works is hosting this event as part of Denver Start-Up Week.

RSVP here.

Learn from four successful food and beverage brand founders as they share their insights and diverse pathways for transitioning from the farmer’s market circuit to mainstream and mass retail. Gain valuable knowledge on successfully making the leap and expanding your brand's reach. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and find answers that may help you in your journey.

This is an event that is part of Denver Startup Week, hosted by Colorado Foods Works.

RSVP here.

Join us as we bring together a stellar lineup of panelists who have been there, done that. We've got experts who will share their insights on mindset, cash management, strategic investments, and meeting customers needs. It’s all about assessing the situation, identifying areas that require adjustment, and being willing to make necessary changes to stay ahead.

In this truth talk session, we'll uncover what's really happening in the food and beverage world. We'll explore how mindset plays a crucial role (it's a whopping 80%!) and equip you with tactical strategic tools to thrive in these challenging times.

Member FREE
Non-Members $10

RSVP here.

For our summer party, we are collaborating with food partners from around the state including Naturaly Boulder, Pueblo Food Project, SPUR CSU and more!.

At 4pm there is a champion’s of Colorado pitch competition featuring the winners from around the state representing the Western Slope, Front Range, Mountain, San Luis Valley, and Eastern Plains. They will compete for additional funding and the chance to further elevate their remarkable food ventures!

Immediately following the competition will be an opportunity for networking and connecting with friends and colleagues from across the state. Anyone from the food and agriculture business community is welcome and invited to join!

Click here to register - it’s free for all!

Join us in June for networking plus a panel discussion about how to get onto grocery shelves with buyer/manager, Keith of Leever’s Locavore, Karen Bradley, Sales Rep for Calbee North America, Greenspoons Distribution and Kristine Carey of Brand Guide.

We are at Industry in RiNo (be sure you have the right one in your maps).

FREE for Members.

$10 for Non-Members.

RSVP here.

Join us for a night of casual industry networking at Cerveceria Colorado!

FREE for ALL. A portion of proceeds from all sales will be donated to Colorado Food Works.

RSVP here.

Join CFW for the 1st Annual Colorado Food Awards!

Each year Colorado Food Works will recognize the most influential and promising businesses in Food and Beverage throughout Colorado. This exciting event is all about bringing attention to the rising stars and game-changers that are set to make waves in the market.

Members $15

Non-Members $25

RVSP here.

Please join us for a night of casual networking at the Blind Tiger Lounge. Get ready to play a round of Get To Know You Bingo with the chance to win some fun prizes and to check out this fun venue by Hooch Booch. This is a day to evening lounge featuring Hooch Booch Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Libations.

Please RSVP here.

FREE for Members.

$10 for Non-Members.

What does it take to grow a CPG brand in a landscape that continues to shift dramatically? The past two years have seen many changes, and the outlook on 2023 has been... less than optimistic. What separates the startups that are thriving in the natural industry from those that are not? Who is growing, and how?

In this honest panel discussion, we will discuss how these successful leaders are preparing for the upcoming year. Our three panelists will share their stories and learnings, as well as answer your questions.

Sign up today here!

Free for members

$10 for non-members

Tradeshow season is upon us with the Holy Grail "Expo West" just right around the corner. The fact of the matter is tradeshows are expensive investments and if not properly prepared fir can end up costing you more than their worth. Join us for a night of conversation around how which shows to attend, how to prepare and how measure success.

RSVP in this link

Join us for an interactive branding workshop, Your brand is more than your logo; building the foundation for your killer brand.This branding workshop is perfect for entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and CMOs of start ups and emerging food brands who are:

• Seeking venture funding

• Building your brand for the first time

• Preparing for launch

• Stepping up your game for growth

• Planning to shift brand messaging

• Introducing new products

• Defining communication strategy

Lead by Brand Designer, Karyn Savory and Senior Brand Strategist, Kristine Root, this hands on workshop is designed to help you define your purpose, unlock your core brand messaging, establish the voice and personality for your brand and bring it to life with vision.

Limited capacity! Sign up here and reserve your seat today.

Please join us after the pitch competition to a happy hour from 5:30 – 7 pm on the 4th floor of the Chamber building.

Please RSVP here

For the fourth year in a row, we are co-hosts of Trout Tank with Metro Denver Small Business Development Center. This year, a few brands will get on stage in front of an audience and a panel of judges. The prize package this year is valued over $8,000 and includes many amazing services from CFW board members. 

After the pitch competition, we invite you to a happy hour right after from 5:30 – 7 pm on the 4th floor of the Chamber building.

When growing a successful brand in CPG, data is the foundation for understanding the market, the category, your competitors and your brand. For 20 years, SPINs has been the gold star for providing data to emerging brands. Colorado Food Works and Naturally Boulder team up to welcome SPINs to Colorado to help brands learn how to best leverage data. SPINs Director of Channel Partnerships, Caroline Davidson, will also be sharing some of the hottest trends in the market today. Tickets for this event are on a first-come basis, so register today here!

As the weather is getting warmer, join us for a drink (or two!) with friends and colleagues from the CPG industry. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones on this informal networking night!

Address - Improper City, 3201 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205

Click here to RSVP

Colorado Food Works is hosting an educational networking night on April 22nd in Colorado Springs.
Come hang out with us from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at COATI, to connect with other food entrepreneurs and CPG owners!

This night will be co-hosted by the southern Colorado SBDC, together in collaboration with Colorado Food Works. This wonderful night will be filled with new connections and an expert panel in
manufacturing, branding, supply chain planning, scaling your brand, as well as coaching! This night will be for all of us in food and beverage CPG, storefront, restaurant, and catering founders and owners to get together and connect. Bring a friend!!

• Moderator: Christopher Hesse, Co-Founder & CEO, Vukoo Nutrition

• Panelists
  Karyn Savory, Founder, Sweet & Savory Designs

  Sandra Custer, Owner, GSD Associates

  Asa Goldstein, Founder & CEO, Brand Shine

  Charlie Stewart, Co-Founder & CEO, Green Belly Foods & Co-Founder, Frescos Naturales

  Will Dugan, CEO & Owner, Vafels

  Sari Kimbell, Founder & CEO, Food Business Success

RSVP Here This is a free event

CFW Board member Rob Spiewak, founder of MOR Kombucha, will be hosting a panel on Funding a Food Business. From venture capital to SBA loans, crowd funding or even partnering with family and friends, this event will explore the pros and cons of different funding strategies that can kickstart or grow your CPG business.

Panelists:

• LJ Suzuki, CFO Share

• Marie Peters, B-Side Capital

• Peter Adams, Rockies Venture Club

• Tim Bradley, CEO, Teatulia

Click here to register. Free for members; $10 for non-members