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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!