TRADE SHOW EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Registration Closes March 31, 2023

Are you a B.C. food and beverage brand or a local sustainable service in search of more customers? We want to help you take your business to the next level and connect you to buyers from multiple market channels, distributors, media, chefs, and other food industry supporters! Exhibit at the next From The Ground Up Trade Show at the PNE Forum in Vancouver on May 18, 2023!

From the Ground Up Trade Show Exhibitor Eligibility:

• New, emerging, and established B.C. food and beverage companies that have never exhibited
• Producers with value-add products (branded and packaged) that have never exhibited
• From the Ground Up Trade Show alumni that have a new product line or line extension
• B.C. sustainability-focused businesses that serve the food and beverage industry (does your service help solve an environmental or social problem?)

We do not accept applications for supplements, alcohol, and CBD related products.

All Exhibitors:

For the first time ever, we are offering the opportunity to purchase a larger exhibition space! You can choose either:

• 10’x10 exhibitor space – includes 2 staff for the Trade Show and entry for 1 at the Conference, or a
• 20’x10′ exhibitor space – includes 4 staff at the Trade Show and entry for 2 at the Conference

As a trade show participant, you receive one or two complimentary tickets to the From The Ground Up Conference that takes place the day prior to the trade show depending on your booth size. The full-day conference presents industry expert panels followed by a question and answer session, and provides an opportunity to learn and connect with other trade show participants. More information including panel participants and topics to be announced spring 2023.

Every exhibitor has a chance to win Outstanding New Product (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) voted on by the attendees. Previous Gold Winners have included Kindred Cultures (2019), Modern Meat (2020), Alkeme (2021), and Living Tree Foods (2022). 2023 could be you!

BONUS: The first 30 registrants will have one of their products reviewed by a panel of five industry experts (see below). You will receive invaluable feedback on your product’s packaging, branding, taste and more from an established manufacturer, a chef, a food scientist, a former grocery buyer, and a food writer. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Rules: Cut-off is March 1, 2023. You will need to ship/deliver six samples to Good to Grow in North Vancouver between Monday, March 6 and Friday, March 10, 2023. Further details will be emailed to those who qualify.

Exhibitor Fee Does Not Include:

• Electricity: We will put you in touch with the PNE’s contracted electrical company.
• Materials for your booth: You are responsible for everything you need to build your display – table, chairs, signage, tent etc. There is no pipe & draping at this show, we ask that you to clearly define your space from your neighbour’s with a tent and/or the use of signage. See photos from previous shows here.
• Cooking equipment, ice, and storage: You are required to bring all of the cooking equipment and storage you need to hold your product and prepare samples at the show. There is no storage on site or access to ice.

Merissa Myles

Merissa Myles is a passionate entrepreneur and the co-founder of Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt, a federally licensed dairy plant located in the Comox Valley. Her production plant meets the highest standard for food safety and is certified to sell across Canada and for export. Their mission is to nourish their community by strengthening the local food system and promoting land stewardship.

Chef Behshad Zolnasr

Chef Behshad Zolnasr brings raw passion, classical training, and a set of impressive culinary skills sharpened in acclaimed kitchens around the world to his latest role at the helm of C|Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine. After graduating from PICA, he honed his chops under renowned chefs at Michelin-starred spots around the globe like Ristorante Mamma Angelina (Rome), Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (London) and Jean-Georges (NYC) before returning to Vancouver.

Lara Tiro

Lara Tiro is the principal of Rebel Botanica Inc., a B.C.-based food product development consulting company. Lara has spent 15 years spearheading food product development for multiple products, preparing them for commercialization. She enjoys leveraging her food science knowledge and operational mind-set to create food that is delicious, safe, and high quality. She most enjoys working with entrepreneurs and helping scale their food dream.

Mitchel Eng

Mitchell Eng is a recently retired Senior Buyer/Merchandise Manager at London Drugs, where he managed the Food, Confectionery and Beverage Department. Mitchell has been in the retail grocery industry for over 32 years, starting at the HY Louie Group buying for the IGA grocery chain and concluding his career at London Drugs. His goal was to bring new and innovative product lines to life and help bring new categories to the mainstream market. He was responsible for over $140 million in annual grocery purchases.

Cassandra Anderton

Cassandra Anderton is a marketing consultant, writer, and broadcaster. She is the publisher and editor of Goodlifevancouver.com, a website devoted to what’s good in and around Vancouver, and sometimes far beyond. She’s been covering the food scene in B.C. for more than two decades, and specializes in the consumer-packaged goods industry and helping brands get noticed. She is also the President of the B.C. Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization of women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality.