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Expo West 2025: Maximize Your Success at the Premier Trade Show

Expo West 2025 is the premier event for food and beverage brands, retailers, investors, and industry professionals to connect, showcase innovations, and grow their businesses. Whether you're a brand exhibiting for the first time, a job seeker looking to make industry connections, a company scouting talent, or a service provider looking to connect with emerging brands, having a strategy is key to making the most of the event. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to maximize your time at Expo West 2025, ensuring you leave with valuable connections, insights, and business opportunities.

Pre-Show Planning: Set Yourself Up for Success

Define Your Goals 

Before stepping onto the show floor, identify what success looks like for you. Are you looking to gain retail distribution, find new clients, meet investors, or recruit top talent? Defining your goals in advance will help guide your Expo strategy. 

Schedule Meetings in Advance 

Expo West is a massive event with thousands of attendees. To make the most of your time, schedule meetings ahead of time with key retailers, partners, and prospects. Many attendees are overwhelmed with requests, so reaching out weeks in advance can secure a slot on their calendar. 

Leverage the Expo West App & Attendee List 

Most trade shows offer a list of exhibitors and attendees. Use the official Expo West 2025 app to research who will be there, set up alerts for must-see sessions, and track networking events. 

Prepare Your Materials 

If you’re an exhibitor, make sure your booth is ready to engage attendees with eye-catching displays, clear messaging, and an inviting layout. Brands should have plenty of product samples, business cards, one-sheets, and digital assets ready to share. 

For Job Seekers: Have Your Pitch Ready 

If you’re attending Expo West to explore career opportunities, have a 10-15 second introduction ready that highlights your experience and career goals. Research brands that align with your expertise and make a plan to engage with hiring managers. 

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Maximizing Your Time at Expo West 2025

Work the Aisles with Purpose 

With thousands of booths and brands to see, it’s important to be strategic about your time. Prioritize high-value booths and schedule breaks so you don’t burn out too early. 

Engage, Don’t Just Sell 

For brands and service providers, the key to a successful show isn’t just pitching your product—it’s about forming real connections. Ask attendees about their business, listen to their challenges, and position your solution in a way that resonates with them. 

Use the Power of Sampling 

If you’re a food or beverage brand, getting your product into people’s hands is crucial. Ensure your samples are fresh, well-stocked, and that your team can explain your brand’s unique value proposition. 

Network Beyond the Booth 

Some of the most valuable connections happen outside the show floor—at industry panels, networking events, and after-hours meetups. Research official and unofficial events happening around Expo West and make time to attend. 

Leverage Social Media & Digital Presence 

Expo West 2025 will be heavily covered on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Posting updates about your booth, key takeaways, and interactions can increase brand visibility. Use the official #ExpoWest2025 hashtag and engage with attendees online.

Post-Show Follow-Up: Turning Leads into Opportunities

Organize and Prioritize Contacts 

After Expo West, you’ll have a pile of business cards, LinkedIn connections, and meeting notes. Prioritize follow-ups based on potential impact and make sure to personalize your messages. 

Send Follow-Ups Within Two Weeks 

People are bombarded with Expo emails immediately after the show. Instead of sending a generic blast, wait a few days and send tailored follow-ups with action items, next steps, and meeting reminders. 

For Job Seekers: Keep the Conversation Going 

If you met a potential employer, follow up with a thank-you message and express interest in further discussions. Highlight key moments from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. 

For Brands: Nurture Retail & Investor Relationships 

If you connected with buyers, investors, or distributors, follow up with additional details about your product and business growth. Offer to send samples, case studies, or schedule a post-show meeting to keep the momentum going. 

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 Pro Tips for a Successful Expo West 2025

Comfortable footwear is essential since you’ll be on your feet for hours, so prioritize comfort. Long days require energy, so plan meal breaks and stay hydrated by keeping water handy. Time management is key—stick to a schedule, but leave room for unexpected meetings that could turn into valuable opportunities. Your enthusiasm is contagious, so stay positive and energetic to make interactions more memorable. Some of the best opportunities arise at the end of the event when competition for attention decreases, so don’t leave early. Ensure you bring extra samples and business cards so you have enough materials to last all days of the show. Take notes on every interaction to personalize your follow-ups. Attend key panels and workshops to gain insights from industry leaders and stay ahead of emerging trends. 

Final Thoughts 

Expo West 2025 is more than just a trade show—it’s an opportunity to grow, connect, and set your brand or career on the path to success. By preparing in advance, engaging strategically, and following up effectively, you’ll ensure that your time at the event is well spent. Whether you’re launching a new product, seeking new business, hiring top talent, or making industry connections, these strategies will help you make the most of Expo West 2025. 

Meet the Protis Global Team at Expo West 2025 

Protis Global will be in Anaheim, along with CEO Bert Miller, Michael Bitar, Andres Rodriguez, and Cristina Sacco. If you’re looking to discuss talent strategies, executive hiring, or insights into the future of CPG leadership, we’d love to connect. Schedule a meeting in advance to ensure valuable face-to-face time with our team. 

Will you be attending Expo West 2025? Let’s connect! 

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

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“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

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Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

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“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

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Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

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Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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