Isn't an expo more than just a place to discover products?
This week’s VentureFuel Visionaries are our very own Katrina Zheleznyak and Beau Bergman as they dive into the breakthrough trends and innovations unveiled at Expo West 2025. With insights curated using NotebookLM, they break down the highlights from this massive event, which brought together over 65,000 industry professionals and more than 3,000 exhibitors.
Episode Highlights
- Industry events offer more than product discovery – Attending sessions like the post-expo roundtables give access to investors, strategists, and subject matter experts. These events should be used not just for sourcing, but for expanding professional networks that can add value beyond the show floor.
- Physical navigation tools enhance ROI at large expos – With over 3,000 exhibitors, using tools and maps to navigate the event efficiently was essential. Highlighting and planning booth visits improved the team’s ability to spot trends and discover relevant companies. Structured walkthrough strategies can also be reused for other events.
- Post-event momentum is critical – Follow-up roundtables and virtual meetups (like the NCN post-expo session) were valuable for continuing conversations and expanding professional networks. Building structured follow-up into an event strategy helps turn short-term connections into long-term partnerships.
- Behavioral and health trends go deeper than ingredients – Understand the “why” behind any product innovation. For example, gut health, kiddification, and women's wellness aren't just passing fads. They reflect consumer lifestyle shifts and values, which can guide product positioning, branding, and investment decisions.
VentureFuel builds and accelerates innovation programs for industry leaders by helping them unlock the power of External Innovation via startup collaborations.