Powering the Future of F&B: Appointment-Driven Networking at ECRM
Day 2 at ECRM’s On & Off Premise Adult Beverage Session continued to prove why this event is a force multiplier for food and beverage professionals, beverage buyers, and hospitality leaders. In an industry where connections often mean the difference between a product staying on a back shelf or becoming a category leader, the ECRM format brought actionable business development—and a front-row seat to the biggest beverage trends and disruptive innovations shaping 2025 and beyond.
Meeting Recap: Fast-Paced, High-Impact Industry Exchanges
The magic of ECRM is how it compresses what could be months of prospecting and cold outreach into a single, jam-packed day. Here’s a look at some of the Day 2 highlights from my strategic meetings with a spectrum of category leaders and emerging brands:
Morning Lineup: Innovation in Spirits, Wine & More
- The Beverage Blueprint: Opened the day with strategic discussions on how beverage data and analytics continue to elevate decision-making for both procurement directors and food & beverage managers (Website: thebeverageblueprint.com).
- Worldwide Libations, LLC: Explored global sourcing strategies and their new small-batch spirits portfolio designed for both wine-loving consumers and craft cocktail programs. (Website: worldwidelibations.com)
- Reif Spirits LLC: Showcased the latest in artisanal craft distillation, with a focus on transparency, local ingredients, and creative flavor profiles. (Website: reifrum.com | Instagram: @reifrum | Threads: @reifrum)
- Munchies: Brought fun cross-category snacking and beverage pairings that align with trending consumer demand for experiential, “eatertainment” dining in the hospitality industry. (Website: munchiessnacks.com | Instagram: @munchiessnacks | TikTok: @munchiessnacks)
- Brio: Offered a glimpse into clean-label mixers perfect for both on-premise cocktail bars and off-premise RTD innovation. (Website: brio-mate.com | Instagram: @brioenergydrink)
- VARIN Life Inc.: Unveiled a new adaptogen drink and functional beverage line tapping into the growing market for health-driven, plant-based refreshments. (Website: varinlife.com)
Midday Sessions: CBD/THC, Wine, and Specialty Imports
- Bayou City Hemp Company: Demonstrated how CBD and THC beverages are gaining shelf space and menu features, as consumer curiosity for cannabis-infused drinks continues to rise. (Website: bayoucityhemp.com | Facebook: Bayou City Hemp Company | LinkedIn: Bayou City Hemp Company)
- NW Wine Company: Lessons in terroir and Oregon craftsmanship for food and beverage directors seeking local food sourcing and the next big thing in American wines. (Website: nwwineco.com)
- I-D FOODS USA CORPORATION: Debuted international flavor-forward brands, supporting family dining experiences and cross-cultural beverage program development. (Website: idfoodsusa.com)
- HB Wine Merchants & Peter Zemmer Wines: Shared the power of Italian varietals and how to navigate global distribution in the evolving wine industry. (HB Wine Merchants Website: hbwinemerchants.com | Instagram: @hbwinemerchants | Peter Zemmer Website: peterzemmer.com)
Afternoon Innovation Pipeline
- Bluebird Hardwater: Delivered an on-trend hard seltzer innovation with a craft spirit twist; ideal for hospitality managers craving unique bar offerings and viral flavor buzz. (Website: bluebirdhardwater.com | LinkedIn: Bluebird Hardwater)
- Le Petit Béret SAS: French sophistication in non-alcoholic wines—speaking to growing demand for better-for-you, low- and no-alcohol options in the food and beverage industry. (Website: lepetitberet.com)
- Pin Drop Rum: Unique rum blends capture the imagination of both mixologists and retail beverage buyers, highlighting provenance and sustainability. (Website: pindroprum.com)
- Mad Tasty: A returning favorite—pushing the envelope with functional, adaptogenic, and hemp-infused beverages that cross categories and demographics. (Website: madtasty.com | Instagram: @madtasty)
- Leelanau Wine Cellars: Michigan’s best sparkling and fruit-forward wines—excellent for procurement directors targeting local and regional wine curation. (Website: lwc.wine | Instagram: @leelanauwinecellars | Facebook: Leelanau Cellars | Twitter: @LeelanauCellar | Pinterest: Leelanau Cellars | LinkedIn: Leelanau Cellars)
Closing Conversations: Strategic Placement & Category Trends
- Blue Spring Imports, Inc.: Delivered insights on global import logistics, an essential consideration in beverage management and maintaining a dynamic product mix in today’s supply chain climate. (Website: bluespringimports.com)
- Franzese Wine LLC: Final meeting spotlighted “old world meets new world” winemaking, and how heritage-driven storytelling impacts consumer loyalty and restaurant marketing. (Website: franzesewine.com)
Key Beverage Trends Transforming the Industry in 2025
Cannabis & Functional Adult Beverages
CBD and THC drinks were front and center once again—Bayou City Hemp Company and Mad Tasty presented fresh case studies on how adaptogen drink trends and functional beverage innovation are capturing attention with both consumers and foodservice executives. Health-focused drinks, especially those with relaxation or wellness claims, are moving from niche to mainstream in F&B programs.
RTDs, Seltzers, and Low-ABV Options Dominate Choices
From Brio’s mixers to Bluebird Hardwater’s spiked seltzer, the demand for convenient, on-trend, and “better-for-you” beverages was the recurring story. Ready-to-drink cocktails, sparkling wine seltzers, and flavor-forward non-alcoholic alternatives (like Le Petit Béret SAS) are being positioned to win shelf space in both supermarkets and on-premise accounts.
Global Meets Local: Wine & Spirits Diversity
Importers like Worldwide Libations and Blue Spring Imports, alongside regionally focused wineries such as Leelanau Wine Cellars and NW Wine Company, are showcasing that global diversity plus local authenticity are essential for modern food and beverage managers intent on delivering a differentiated guest experience.
Clean Label, Transparency & Sustainability
Buyers and beverage directors were laser-focused on transparency, clean ingredient statements, and a story of sustainability—whether that comes from the rum fields of Caribbean cooperatives or family-owned Italian vineyards.
Actionable Tips: Getting the Most from ECRM as a Beverage Buyer or Supplier
Whether you’re a procurement director, institutional buyer, or brand-builder, leverage these strategies for the next ECRM event or similar industry networking opportunities:
- Do Your Homework: Study the appointment list, prioritize top targets, and have questions ready about product specs, supply chain, and sales support.
- Taste & Take Notes: Sample everything, document your impressions, and think about how these products align with current menu innovation or retail beverage trends.
- Network Strategically: Use short 10- or 20-minute meetings to build new relationships and set follow-up appointments for deeper dives.
- Follow Up Fast: Turn booth introductions into productive post-event conversations while momentum is high.
- Leverage Digital Content: Ask for digital sales assets—photos, recipes, spec sheets—to make your internal presentations to foodservice managers and directors stand out.
Day 2 Standouts: Industry Moves Making Headlines
Top Innovation: Bayou City Hemp Company
Bayou City Hemp Company’s THC and CBD beverages cemented themselves as must-watch for hospitality managers hunting for adaptogen drink trends and functional beverage buzz that bring new clientele into the bar or restaurant.
Best Wine Storytelling: Franzese Wine LLC
From grape to glass, Franzese Wine LLC’s commitment to both heritage and innovation offers a blueprint for how restaurants and wine programs can boost guest engagement and loyalty.
Seltzer with a Twist: Bluebird Hardwater
A hard seltzer that drinks like a craft spirit—Bluebird Hardwater’s unique selling proposition looked poised to carve out a category of its own.
Sustainability Champion: Pin Drop Rum
If sustainable food and beverage sourcing is on your 2025 must-do list, Pin Drop Rum’s focus on transparent production and eco-friendly packaging makes them one to watch.
Storytelling in the On/Off Premise Channel
Real connections at ECRM translate directly into sales, menu placements, and lasting partnerships. For the food and beverage director or procurement lead, events like these aren’t just about new SKUs—they’re about gaining critical insights and forging alliances that can withstand supply chain turbulence and ever-shifting consumer preferences.
For suppliers, the accelerated format offers instant access to feedback, purchase intent, and retail/hospitality contacts it might take a year or more to nurture through traditional channels.
Want more actionable food and beverage industry analysis? Check out Sipping into the Future: The Hottest Drink Trends Making Waves in 2025 and How AI-Powered Solutions are Transforming Restaurant Operations and ROI.
Hospitality Trends Shaping 2025: Final Takeaways
- Category convergence is accelerating—think hybrid seltzers, functional cocktails, and flexible beverage programming for dine-in, takeout, and retail.
- Transparency and sustainability are guiding food and beverage management decisions—from ingredient lists to distribution partners.
- Menu innovation is fueled by digital tools, data, and ongoing access to global and local suppliers.
Stay Ahead, Stay Connected
The beverage industry never stands still—and neither do the leaders making moves at ECRM. Don’t miss the next wave of adult beverage trends, market intelligence, and business opportunities.
Follow ECRM’s social channels and Food & Beverage Magazine at FB101.com for the latest food and beverage news, hospitality trends, and exclusive event coverage.
Have thoughts on where the beverage industry heads next? Drop a comment below or tag us on LinkedIn—let’s keep the conversation (and the drinks) flowing.
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.
