Crafted & Connected: A Mixer for DMV Content Creators and CPG Professionals

A HAPPY HOUR MIXER
for Food Content Creators and CPG Founders & Professionals
Monday June 22nd | 6:00 - 8:30 PM (extended an extra 30mins)
Free for Attendees -

Hosted By:

Sponsored By:

70th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show | June 28-30 in New York City

Partners:

The first ever "Crafted & Connected" Happy Hour Mixer will bring together greater DMV area food content creators and CPG founders & industry professionals to network, sample products, create unique content, and discuss the fast growing world of "Social Commerce". Decision makers from retailers, distributors, and investment firms will also be in attendance.

Our panel will be moderated by , Founder of Tastemaker Conference—the leading conference and community for food creators and brands. Abbey also consults with organizations on creator marketing and brand experience, including the Specialty Food Association, producer of the Summer Fancy Food Show (NYC) and Winter FancyFaire* (CA). Her work and research focus on the evolving creator economy and how creators influence consumer behavior, product discovery, brand trust, and modern commerce through content, community, affiliate marketing, livestream shopping, and platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram.

The panel will feature experienced food creators and brand founders discussing how creator-driven marketing and social commerce—the intersection of user generated content (UGC) and product placement—drive e-commerce and retail sales, and are reshaping the future of consumer brands.

Additionally, this event will function as a teaser for DC Startup & Tech Week in October 2026, as Social Commerce content is being added to the programming this year. More details to come.

Our wonderful venue host is , a premium food hall featuring a variety of incredible locally owned food and beverage stalls and the incredible game hall. Happy Hour Specials will be featured on alcoholic drinks during the event. We will have a private room in the back for sampling and for our panel discussion. If the weather is nice, we may also utilize their amazing rooftop balcony that overlooks Rosslyn.
SAMPLING DETAILS:
- We have space for approximately 15 local DMV area Food, Beverage, Beauty, Body, and Pet brands to sample on tables that will be provided.
- Each brand will have a half-table of approximately 3ft x 3ft for active or passive sampling.
- *NEW* Each sampling brand will be required to donate approx 25 units of product for our Bundle Bags that we will be giving out to Content Creators and the panelists - this will be great promotion for the brands.
- The sampling booth fee is $40.00. Brands will not be invoiced until the week before the event.
- The event will be curated to ensure we have a variety of categories represented.
- Note: The flyer showcases a few local CPG brands, but those brands will not necessarily be attending.
- If you are interested in sampling -

SAMPLING BRANDS & THEIR TOP SOCIAL LINK:
CONFIRMED SO FAR - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
True Made Foods
Whisked by Jenna
EarthCan! Organic Juice
Wild Bay Kombucha / Icaro
Zenjoy

Curd is a creamy, protein-rich pudding made from real cottage cheese and simple, whole-food ingredients. We’re redefining comfort food with naturally high protein; no protein isolates, no artificial sweeteners, or gums. Available in Vanilla Cinnamon Swirl, Chocolate Crème, and Banana Coconut Cream Pie.

Ahara Mushrooms
Gunther's Midnight
Breads
Shirin Ice Cream
YUUZ
Primi Italy Foods
Aji Tea

MORE TBA
PLEASE RSVP AT OUR MAIN EVENT LINK AND SEE WHO IS COMING:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/7463665922084626432?viewAsMember=true
HOSTED BY:
is the leading platform for the food creator economy—connecting a community of 15,000+ food creators and 250M+ collective reach with the brands, tools, technology, and partnerships that help creators and companies grow.

is a free-membership group of over 500 DC, Maryland, and Virginia CPG founders and industry professionals. The group hosts in-person happy hour events and runs the CPG Track at DC Startup & Tech Week every Fall. The group primarily functions on LinkedIn & re-shares updates by local brands and advice from industry veterans. Join .

SPONSORED BY:
(SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $219-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 4,400 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by producing events, programs, and year-round resources and education. SFA owns and operates the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire*, and the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972.
The 70th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show is June 28-30 in New York City.

is a creator-led commerce platform built for CPG, Retail, and Restaurant brands that want more than reach. We pair your products with everyday creators who relish life and influence the people around them, generating hyper-local, native content that drives discovery, foot traffic, and real sales. Tech-enabled. Human-driven. Built for scale.

PARTNERS:
is FOR FOUNDERS, Entrepreneurs, INVESTORS & innovators. It's where visionaries, creators, and innovators collide to build, grow, and celebrate the DMV's booming startup and innovation ecosystem. The 11th Annual event is OCTOBER 19th-23rd, 2026.

backs and builds the next generation of food brands from day one. We operate across three integrated pillars:
- First Run Accelerator which builds and validates companies early
- First Run Angel Network which invests at the point of conviction
- First Run Fund which doubles down on the winners