About this Event
This event is designed for businesses of all sizes, whether a startup just getting off the ground or an established enterprise scaling into new markets.
From our world-class production and distribution infrastructure to our diverse ecosystem of growers, manufacturers, and innovators, Chicago offers advantages that aren’t found anywhere else. This panel will dig into what sets Chicago apart and why so many food & beverage businesses plant roots here.
PANEL TOPICS
- Supply chain
- Investment
- Retail
- Innovation
Tickets at member and industry partner rates available .
SPEAKERS
REBECCA MOTLEY
Vice President of Economic Development,
Rebecca Motley is Vice President of Economic Development at World Business Chicago, where she leads business attraction and retention efforts for science-based industries, including life sciences, quantum, climate technology, and advanced materials. She also advises and supports fundraising for a Chicago-based medical device startup developing a diagnostic for fibromyalgia. Her career spans technology commercialization, municipal economic development, commercial real estate, consulting, and banking, with previous leadership of the technology incubator at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Rebecca holds a B.S. in Economics and an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
PAIGE LEYDEN
Director of Food & Drink Americas,
Paige joined Mintel in 2022 and leads a team of analysts that analyze consumer attitudes, behaviors and trends in the US food, drink, and foodservice industries.
Prior to joining Mintel, Paige spent 7 years leveraging syndicated and consumer data to deliver insights for a variety of CPG, retail, and foodservice clients. She spent time at SPINS building a product library focused on natural and organic CPG items before pivoting to the foodservice industry at Datassential where she blended syndicated, consumer and operator data to provide clients with a comprehensive approach to category overviews, product innovation, and growth strategies.
Paige holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
MICHAEL PFEIFFER
Sr. Relationship Manager,
Michael Pfeiffer is a Chicago-based Senior Relationship Manager at Bank of America, where he partners with executives and owners when business strategy becomes a financing, liquidity, or banking decision. He advises middle-market industrial and consumer businesses, including publicly traded companies, and brings prior experience in Big 4 accounting, corporate treasury, and capital markets risk.
MIKE LOQUERCIO
Digital Manufacturing & Supply Chain,
Mike Loquercio is a Digital Manufacturing and Business Technology leader responsible for enabling operational excellence across Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling manufacturing facilities. He bridges plant operations, enterprise systems, and emerging technologies to deliver scalable solutions that improve efficiency, visibility, reliability, and business performance.
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM
Check-in
🕑: 06:00 PM
Panel discussion
🕑: 07:00 PM
Networking & reception
Event venue & nearby stays
The Hatchery, 135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, United States
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