Ease into the day with a relaxed lunch hour before the seminars begin. Grab a complimentary boxed lunch, find a seat, and take the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and exhibitors in a casual setting.

Kick off the day with expert-led presentations from six speakers designed to spark innovation and provide practical food industry insights. Learn from experience, challenge assumptions, and connect with these innovators with Q&A time after each talk.​ 

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Student Presentations

Hear from Jacqueline Aquino and Fan Wu, students from Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Panel Discussion​

Tracy Luckow (Whipnotic) & Matthew Pataki (Smooth Culture) 
"From Niche to Noticed: The New Era of Local Food Innovation”

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​Keynote Addresses

Maureen Ballatori (Agency 29)
“Adapting Brand Strategy to Today’s Consumer Expectations”

Paul Guglielmo (Craft Cannery)

“Building a Co Packing Model That Works for Small Brands”​​​​

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Meet the Speakers

Head to the Expo Hall to meet exhibitors face-to-face, sample products, collect resources, and discover new solutions to accelerate your business. Head to the Expo Hall to meet exhibitors face-to-face, sample products, collect resources, and discover new solutions to accelerate your business.

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View the Exhibitors Map

Keep the conversations going! Join us immediately following the Expo for a casual after party at the convention center – free to attend courtesy of WNYIFT.

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We’ll have complimentary appetizers to enjoy, plus a cash bar available throughout the evening.​ ​No extra ticket required, just stay and join us!