Top-Shelf, Food & Beverage Executives Attend Premier Industry Gathering
Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) September 29, 2017 -- The non-profit Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network (CFBN; Network) continues to grow fast, bringing together the region’s premier food and beverage companies. The mission is to drive regional economic growth -- in the industry and for area residents. Since only April 2017, this Network now boasts nearly 40 members. Some members include: Dairy Farmers of America, Aryzta, Fairlife LLC, Miniat Holdings LLC, and The Kellogg Company (complete member list is below).
The Network’s next annual, large-scale gathering is on October 4 from 4:30p - 7p at Kendall College. Network members, food & beverage leaders, and media are invited to attend the event and panel discussion. “What’s Next in Food & Beverage” features speakers from food service expert and consultancy Technomic, and food, nutrition gurus from consultancy FoodMinds.
“We are excited for the potential the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network brings to link together the powerful food & beverage eco-system in our region and Kellogg’s is proud to be a charter member,” says Wendy Davidson, Kellogg Company Division President, US Specialty Channels. “It’s an unprecedented opportunity for us to collaborate across categories, brands and services to create the future for our industry.”
Adds, Mike Loquercio, Director of Supply Chain and Logistics for D&W Fine Pack and Co-Chairman of the Network’s Board of Directors, “Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network’s commitment to engage experts, support neighborhoods, and to bolster workforce development through training for growing job opportunities for Chicagoans were significant drivers for our involvement. We want to further our city’s food & beverage innovation as well as spur economic vitality.”
The Chicago area’s food and beverage industry represents some 4,500 companies with 130,000 employees, representing $32B in annual sales. Food & beverage is a key player in this region’s economy and is the second-largest industry industry eco-system of its kind in the U.S.
The Network’s goal is to establish a training institute and establish certification programs for food & beverage manufacturing employees over the next five years. In partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino and support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation (and an anonymous donor), the Network is already developing a comprehensive food manufacturing curriculum that will prepare more people for food and beverage careers.
The October 4 panel and networking event at Kendall College (Skyline Room, 900 N. North Branch Street, Chicago) will take place following a short board meeting. Admission is free, registration is required. Priority is given to Network members. Light refreshments are included. To RSVP, please email: info(at)chicagolandfood.org or register online at http://www.chicagolandfood.org/event/E642904390.
Current Network members include: Aryzta, Bader Rutter, Bluedog Design, Chicago Section IFT, Dairy Farmers of America, D&W Fine Pack, Edlong Dairy Technologies, Evans Food Group, Fairlife LLC, Family Farmed, Fifty Gazelles, Food Export Association of the Midwest, FONA International Inc, Freeborn & Peters, ICNC, IIT/IFSH, Imbibe, Instituto del Progreso Latino, The Kellogg Company, Kinsa Group, Miniat Holdings LLC, Nixon Peabody, Plante Moran, Precision Foods, Raymundo's, Rose Packing, Sethness Products Company, Surrender Brands, USI, and World Business Chicago.
To become a Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network member visit chicagolandfood.org. Memberships are available to all enterprises, from early-stage food & beverage entrepreneurs to large, established companies. Network membership benefits include: access to industry events, affiliate discounts, career center, concierge services, and supports to guide innovation and accelerate company growth.
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For more information, please contact Orly Telisman, Orly Telisman Public Relations at orly(at)orlypr.com or 312-375-1230 and visit chicagolandfood.org
Orly Telisman, Orly Telisman Public Relations, http://www.orlypr.com, +1 312-375-1230, [email protected]
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