The creation of a new product is a labor in itself - research, inspiration, time, and investment. All of these play a role in order for you, the founder, to deliver a new product to market. But - once you have the next great concept - what is next? Join us in June to explore the next steps and the important resources that you need to explore in order to bring your product to market and focus in on your consumer. What drives sales? How do you know and capture consumer interest and intent - we’ve got the answers.
We’ve assembled a group of experts to explore all perspectives of the conversation - marketing, product development and packaging, market research, and distribution/retail. Our panel will explain what makes the consumer tick and what drives each sale. And, how you, and your concept, can capture that sale. It is an exploration of sales drivers with the needs of the founder, the entrepreneur, the “doer”, and the day-to-day operator - in mind. Don’t miss out on this important conversation as you and your emerging brand expand here in Chicago!
Networking nights with The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network are an opportunity to access an inclusive network dedicated to bringing together all of the industry players of the greater Chicagoland area to develop meaningful and mutually beneficial business connections. The evening provides a great opportunity to enjoy drinks and appetizers and an opportunity to mingle - forging new connections and circling back with contacts from other events, all while experiencing the power of the CFBN network!
Our speakers & moderator for this conversation:
Alan Reed (moderator), Executive Director - CFBN
Sean Bisceglia, CEO, Curion
For the past 15 years, Sean Bisceglia has specialized in accelerating growth and establishing leadership positions for companies in the HCM industry, with a focus on launching disruptive technologies. He has founded and led four companies that achieved rapid market acceptance and global distribution of its products and services. Currently he has entered a new field and is focused on investing in innovative technologies and services within the sensory and consumer insights industry by serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Curion. Prior to leading at Curion, Sean worked as an Operating Partner at Sterling Partners Education Opportunity Fund. Sean founded Scout Exchange, the largest search firm management software company and the largest online recruitment marketplace for Fortune 500 and mid-size businesses. Sean conceived and established Talent25, a private, members-only group of 25 carefully selected executives, thought leaders, and innovators in corporate talent acquisition. In 2006, Sean founded Talent Drive, the Travelocity of resume search. With a strategy of developing APIs for white labeling, the company grew to become the leading online resume search aggregator used by the largest technology platforms with our 400,000 users. Sean has received numerous awards for his leadership in the field of human resources technology, sales and marketing including in 2017; Hermes, Oracle Markie, Brandon Hall HCM Excellence Award, and Stevie Awards. He is a frequent speaker, most recently at SIA Executive Forum, ERE, OHUG, and other industry events. His articles on talent acquisition and entreprenuership have been published in top business media such as the Wall Street Journal, Entreprenuer and Barron's. Sean has a BS from The College of Wooster in 1987.
Rachelle Radcliffe, Category Manager, KeHE Distributors
Rachelle joined KeHE Distributors in 2010 and currently resides as a member of the Category Management team, where she oversees the baking, spices and sweeteners categories. Her background includes sales at a large CPG company, company integration as well as positions in Analytics and Pricing. Using her knowledge of industry trends, she enjoys sourcing up and coming items and developing brand strategies to guide them on a path to success. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Food & Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing from Western Michigan University. In 2014 she was the recipient of KeHE's Unsung Hero award for her impact to the company's financial metrics.
Joe Palonis, Vice President Sales, Foodservice Distributors and eCommerce, Kellogg's
Joe Palonis is Vice President of Foodservice Distributor and eCommerce Sales at Kellogg’s® Specialty Channels, where he currently leads the sales team focused on the growth of our distributor partners and evolving eCommerce customers. He serves as a member of the Foodservice leadership team. With over 28 years of foodservice and vending experience with Kellogg, Joe has helped drive success in every region of the US as well as in his various roles spanning Field Sales, Marketing, Category Management, Region and Zone Sales Management, Distributor Development, Sales Leadership and General Management. He also provides leadership and guidance to Kellogg’s Global Foodservice businesses around the world. Progressively increasing roles include Field Sales Representative, Account Manager, Senior Account Manager, Category Manager, Broker Manager, Region Manager, Zone Director, Director Distributor Development, Director Sysco, Area Director, VP Sales, and VP Sysco leading to his current role. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Scranton (PA) where he was born and raised. He currently resides in Geneva IL and Tampa FL with his wife Alicia and has two daughters, Kayla and Paige.
Dennis Ryan, Executive Creative Director, Bader Rutter
Dennis has been making stuff up in Chicago for three decades, aside from a brief hiatus in Minneapolis where he honed his digital and social skills. From copywriter to CEO, he has dreamed up ideas and led teams on some of the world’s best-known brands including Budweiser, Gatorade, Frito Lay, Target, Kraft, Supercuts and the Cosmopolitan Hotel. His contagious enthusiasm for creative work no doubt stems from the fact that he earns a paycheck despite having graduated from Notre Dame with not one but two highly unsaleable majors in Art and English.
This event is presented in partnership with Curion and eFive, CFBN Cornerstone Food & Beverage Industry members.
