The Power of Face-to-Face in a Digital World
In an era where digital meetings have become the norm, there's something undeniably powerful about connecting in person. Day 3 of the ECRM Summer Sessions proved this once again as buyers and brands converged for a day of high-impact, rapid-fire meetings that demonstrated why these sessions remain the gold standard for building genuine relationships in the food and beverage industry.
As I navigated through the Grand Hall Convention Center and North Tower on July 23rd, the energy was palpable. From innovative snack companies to global flavor purveyors, the diversity of brands showcased the incredible momentum in our industry heading into late 2025.
Morning Sessions: Natural Products Lead the Charge
The morning kicked off with a flurry of meetings that highlighted the continued dominance of natural and better-for-you products. Starting at 7:40 AM with Aly Foods, the pace was relentless but rewarding.
Lucky Lola's Foods LLC presented their innovative approach to authentic snacking, while Valued Naturals showcased products that perfectly capture the clean-label movement consumers are demanding. After a quick breather, Nutty Naturals demonstrated why specialty nut products continue to find strong footing in today's market—combining nutrition with genuinely crave-worthy flavors.
"We're seeing retailers actively seeking products that don't compromise on taste while delivering nutritional benefits," shared a representative from Nutty Naturals. "The days of 'healthy but bland' are long behind us."
Sam's F&B, Inc. rounded out the early sessions with a line that perfectly bridges traditional offerings with modern nutritional priorities—exactly what today's retailers need to attract both conventional shoppers and health-conscious consumers.
Global Flavors Take Center Stage
One of the most striking trends from Day 3 was the significant presence of international flavors and globally-inspired products. The mid-morning block featured meetings with companies bringing authentic global tastes to American consumers.
Haitai, Inc. presented innovative Asian-inspired snacks that are catching attention for their unique flavor profiles and textural experiences. EL GRECO Foods and YAVUZ FIGS brought Mediterranean excellence with products that showcase both traditional methods and contemporary packaging innovations.
My meeting with YAVUZ FIGS was particularly enlightening—Turkish figs processed with minimal intervention are finding their way into multiple categories from natural snacking to ingredients for premium products. Their commitment to sustainability throughout their supply chain reflects another major trend from the sessions: environmental consciousness isn't optional anymore, it's expected.
Dragonberry Produce Inc. demonstrated how international produce varieties are creating exciting opportunities for retailers looking to differentiate their offerings, while Green Sahara highlighted North African flavors that are poised to become the next big thing in American pantries.
The Specialty Snack Revolution Continues
If there was one category that dominated Day 3, it was specialty snacking. The afternoon sessions revealed just how diverse and innovative this space has become:
- Artisan Tropic LLC showcased plantain and cassava chips with clean ingredients and authentic flavors
- Tipsy Mix, Inc. brought alcohol-inspired snack mixes that are capturing the adult snacking market
- Cassavida Snacks demonstrated the versatility of cassava in multiple formats
- Julio's Seasoning & Corn Chips presented heritage recipes with modern twists
- YAW! Snacks brought plant-based innovation that impressed with texture and flavor
- The Daily Crave showcased premium vegetable-based options that blur the line between snacks and nutrition
"The specialty snack category continues to fragment into micro-niches," observed the team from SnackCo of America. "What we're seeing is consumers wanting very specific attributes—whether that's a particular global flavor profile, a specific nutritional benefit, or alignment with their values."
Efficient Meeting Format Maximizes Opportunities
What makes ECRM sessions so valuable is their efficiency. My schedule included over 30 meetings, each lasting 10-20 minutes—the perfect amount of time to evaluate products, understand brand stories, and determine potential fit without wasting precious hours on extensive presentations.
The format allows for immediate, candid feedback. When Batch-Brands/Foliay LLC presented their innovative packaging concept, I could provide direct input that might help shape their retail strategy. When AlmondRX LLC showcased their almond-based products, the short meeting format forced them to distill their value proposition to its essence—exactly what they'll need to do when competing for shelf space.
For brands, these rapid sessions provide a crash course in retail readiness. Those who came prepared with concise pitches, compelling samples, and clear pricing structures stood out immediately.
Key Trends Emerging from Day 3
Several clear patterns emerged throughout the day that food and beverage professionals should note:
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Functional ingredients with substantiated benefits – Brands like Valued Naturals and Nutty Naturals are incorporating ingredients with research-backed functional benefits rather than vague wellness claims.
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Cross-category innovation – Companies like CoffeeBrands SAS are breaking category boundaries by bringing coffee flavors into unexpected formats.
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Heritage stories with modern execution – Brands including Julio's Seasoning & Corn Chips are leveraging authentic heritage while updating production, packaging, and marketing for today's consumer.
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Plant-based 3.0 – The latest generation of plant-based products from companies like U-LUV Foods focuses on creating genuinely satisfying experiences rather than merely mimicking animal products.
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Supply chain transparency – Brands such as 27 Peaks, LLC are making their sourcing stories central to their marketing, recognizing consumers' growing interest in where products originate.
Why In-Person Still Matters
In an age of virtual meetings and digital presentations, Day 3 of ECRM Summer Sessions reinforced why face-to-face interaction remains irreplaceable in our industry. The ability to taste products in real-time, observe buyer reactions, and forge genuine connections creates an environment where authentic relationships can flourish.
"You simply can't replicate the experience of tasting a product together and seeing someone's immediate, unfiltered reaction," noted the team from Havanna USA. "That moment of surprise and delight when a buyer experiences something unexpected—it's worth more than a dozen emails."
For retailers, these sessions offer unparalleled efficiency in discovering products that can drive differentiation and growth. For brands, particularly emerging ones, the opportunity to get direct access to key decision-makers compresses months of outreach into a single high-impact day.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Food & Beverage
As Day 3 of the ECRM Summer Sessions concluded, several forward-looking insights emerged that will likely influence the industry in coming quarters:
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Snacking as self-care – Products that deliver both indulgence and nutritional benefits will continue gaining traction as consumers reject the false dichotomy between enjoyment and health.
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Flavor tourism through food – With international travel still carrying complications for many, consumers are increasingly exploring global cuisines through accessible food products.
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Sustainability beyond packaging – While eco-friendly packaging remains important, brands like Green Sahara are extending sustainability commitments throughout their entire supply chain.
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Texture as a differentiator – Companies including Stellar Snacks LLC are finding success by focusing on novel textural experiences that create memorable product distinctions.
For food and beverage professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve, events like ECRM Summer Sessions provide invaluable intelligence on where the market is heading. The brands that stood out on Day 3 weren't just selling products—they were offering solutions, experiences, and connections to values that resonate with today's consumers.
Final Thoughts
Day 3 of ECRM Summer Sessions demonstrated that despite all the technological advances in our industry, nothing replaces the power of a handshake, a taste experience, and a genuine conversation. In a business built on relationships, these face-to-face opportunities remain the foundation of lasting partnerships.
For brands looking to scale, the lesson is clear: be prepared, be concise, and be authentic. For buyers seeking the next big thing, these curated sessions offer an unparalleled opportunity to discover innovation efficiently.
As we look toward the remainder of 2025, the connections made during these intensive days will likely shape product development, retail strategies, and consumer experiences across the food and beverage landscape. Those who seized the opportunity to engage meaningfully during these brief but powerful meetings have positioned themselves for success in the competitive marketplace ahead.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.