Plum Market has signed on as presenting sponsor of the Miami Beach Food & Beverage Expo and will present the inaugural Retail Innovation Award, designed to fast-track the best new packaged product showcased at the event. The first expo takes place Oct. 28-29 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The winning brand will receive guaranteed shelf placement in all six Plum Market full-service grocery stores, along with hands-on mentorship and executive consulting from the grocer’s leadership in merchandising strategy, brand marketing and social media execution.
“Partnering with the Miami Beach Food & Beverage Expo as the presenting sponsor allows us to connect directly with the most inventive makers in the business,” said Marc Jonna, president and co-founder of Plum Market.
“The Retail Innovation Award isn’t just shelf space, it’s a hands-on partnership. We want to work alongside a visionary founder, opening our doors and sharing our expertise in merchandising, brand strategy and retail operations to help turn a breakthrough product into a household name,” Jonna said.
Qualities considered
The award will evaluate exhibiting brands on product originality, ingredient integrity, packaging appeal, market scalability and overall category disruption, with submission criteria and the live judging panel to be announced ahead of the show.
“The future of CPG belongs to brands that are willing to innovate, challenge categories, and build authentic connections with consumers,” said Sally Golan, founder of the Miami Beach Food & Beverage Expo. “We’re building a community where founders, retailers, buyers, investors, media and industry leaders can come together to discover what’s next.”
Privately owned Plum Market promotes natural, organic and locally crafted items in six grocery stores in Michigan and Florida, more than 15 foodservice locations in Michigan and 10 airport locations in five major airports. The Miami Beach Food & Beverage Expo is a boutique CPG event bringing together food and beverage brands, retailers, buyers, distributors and investors.