CPG BRANDS HUB: NEW YEAR CHECK IN
- Date
- 2025-01-09
- Location
- Oakland, CA, USA
- Host
- CPG Brands Hub Events
About this event
January is when the pace picks up again, priorities get sharper, and everyone starts asking the same question: what matters most this year? CPG BRANDS HUB: NEW YEAR CHECK IN is a chance to step into that moment with other people building, growing, and supporting consumer brands—face to face in Oakland, with real conversation instead of surface-level small talk. Whether you ended last year with momentum or a list of loose ends, this meetup gives you a place to reconnect with the community, compare notes, and get clearer on what the next few months should look like. It is built for people who value practical perspective, strong relationships, and a better way to start the year than staying in your own bubble. About the Event This is an in-person community gathering for people connected to the CPG world who want to check in at the start of the new year. The focus is simple: bring together thoughtful people around consumer brands, create space for meaningful networking, and make it easier to talk honestly about where things stand right now. Rather than feeling overly programmed or formal, the event is designed to support genuine interaction. You can expect a meetup environment where conversation is the main feature—less presentation-heavy, more about meeting peers, sharing what you are seeing, and getting a sense of where others are placing their attention in the months ahead. The "new year check in" framing matters. Early January is one of the best times to step back and ask useful questions: what worked, what did not, what opportunities look more real now, and where people need support. This event creates a setting for those conversations to happen naturally with others who understand the realities of the category. Because it is rooted in community, the value is not only in who you meet, but in the quality of the exchange. People come to compare experiences, surface challenges, and leave with a stronger read on the current mood and momentum around CPG. What to Expect Expect a social, conversational format centered on meeting people, reconnecting with familiar faces, and starting new relationships. This is the kind of event where a quick introduction can turn into a useful exchange about retail, operations, growth, product strategy, partnerships, or the day-to-day realities of building in CPG. You can also expect a strong mix of perspectives. Community-driven meetups often create the best room for candid discussion because people are not there just to listen—they are there to contribute. That means more back-and-forth, more honest insights, and more chances to find common ground with others navigating similar questions. A typical flow for a meetup like this may include: Arrival and informal mingling Introductions and casual check-ins with other attendees Open conversation around current priorities, challenges, and goals for the year Continued networking in a relaxed in-person setting The energy is likely to be especially useful for the time of year. January gatherings tend to bring a mix of reflection and forward motion: people are assessing what they learned, what they are changing, and what they want to build next. That makes it a strong environment for conversations that are both grounded and future-focused. Why Attend If you work around CPG, the right conversation can save you time, sharpen your thinking, and open doors that would have taken months to find on your own. This event gives you a direct way to tap into a local network of people who understand the space and can offer perspective that is actually relevant. There is also real value in starting the year in community instead of in isolation. Many business decisions feel clearer when you can hear how others are approaching similar issues. Even a single honest exchange about growth plans, market conditions, distribution realities, or team priorities can help you leave with better questions and better next steps. You may come away with: New connections within the CPG ecosystem A clearer sense of what peers are focused on this year Useful perspective on shared challenges and opportunities Potential collaborators, partners, or future contacts to stay in touch with A stronger feeling of momentum heading into the year Just as important, attending helps you stay visible in the community. If you want to build strong relationships over time, showing up consistently matters. A new year check-in is a smart moment to do exactly that. Practical Details Location: In person in Oakland, USA. This is a physical meetup, so plan to attend on-site and be ready for live conversation and networking. Date and time: Wednesday, January 8 at 6:00 PM PST. The evening timing makes this accessible for people joining after the workday and sets the tone for a relaxed but purposeful gathering. A few helpful ways to prepare: Be ready to introduce yourself clearly and briefly Think about what you are focused on this quarter or this year Bring a willingness to share, listen, and ask thoughtful questions Come open to meeting people outside your immediate lane If you are looking for a strong first community touchpoint of the year in CPG, this is a smart one to put on your calendar. It is local, in-person, and built around the kind of conversations that help people get reoriented, reconnected, and ready to move.
Who should attend
This is for you if you want to start the year with sharper perspective and stronger relationships in the CPG community. - You are building or growing a **CPG brand** and want to compare notes with others facing similar decisions at the start of the year. - You work in the broader **consumer brands ecosystem** and want more real-world conversations than you get from online networking alone. - You value **community-led meetups** where the main goal is genuine connection, not sitting through a heavily scripted program. - You are looking to **reconnect with peers**, meet new people in Oakland, and stay plugged into the local CPG network. - You have priorities, questions, or challenges for the year ahead and want a room where you can talk them through with people who understand the space. - You simply want a better way to kick off January than going it alone—by showing up, getting in the room, and building momentum through conversation.