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Agenda is subject to change.
Sunday, November 9th, 5PM - 7PM
Early Summit Check-in &
Shared Kitchen Makers Market
Grab your swag bag and get a jumpstart on connecting with fellow attendees while you sample what food businesses working in local shared kitchens are cooking up.
Vendor line-up coming soon.
WHERE
Crowne Plaza at Playhouse Square
Day one
Monday, November 10, 8AM - 7PM
8AM-4PM
Shared Kitchen Summit
WHERE
Crowne Plaza at Playhouse Square
Breakfast and lunch provided
MAIN SESSION
Welcome & State of the Industry
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Ashley Colpaart, The Food Corridor
KEY NOTE
Seasons of a Shared Kitchen: Building, Thriving, and Knowing When to Pass the Torch
Natalie Shmulik, Busy Food (Former Executive Director of The Hatchery)
MAIN SESSION
From Fundraising to Friend-raising: Understanding the role of CDFIs, Crowdfunding and Traditional Financing
Irwin Mendlessohn, Fulton Commons
Erik Ibarra, Magnolia Fund
BREAK OUT SESSION
Kitchen Economics: Budgeting, Pricing, Revenue Streams, Partnerships
Sarabjit Sawhney, South Amboy Kitchen
DeAndre Wilson, Bedford Collab
BREAK OUT SESSION
Food Forward: Consumer Trends and Innovative Strategies to Help Your Kitchen Support Emerging Brands
Leana Salamah, Specialty Food Association
Luca Carnvale, Hope & Main
Sarah Masoni, OSU Food Innovation Center
Mark Holland, Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga
BREAK OUT SESSION
Improving Market Opportunities Through Co-Manufacturing and Co-Packing Services
Asa Bielenberg, FoodOps
Liz Buxton, Western MA Food Processing Facility
Kevin Doherty, CommonWealth Kitchen
Emily Paul, Food Works Group
Matt Innger, Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT)
CATERED LUNCH
Southern Tier Brewery
5PM - 7PM
Resource Happy Hour
WHERE
Five Iron Golf, 1101 Euclid Ave
Lite bites provided. Cash bar.
Day two
Tuesday, November 11, 8AM - 4:30PM
8AM - 12PM
Shared Kitchen Summit
WHERE
Crowne Plaza at Playhouse Square
Breakfast and lunch provided
MAIN SESSION
Operational QuickFires
Paul Stephen, Clarence Creative Kitchen
Bryan Severns, K-State-Olathe
Dave Sokoll, Oberlin Food Hub
Maria Gonzalez, Adelante Community Development
*more to come!
BREAKOUT SESSION
Stop the Silo: Building Circular Economy through Shared Kitchens
Julius Buzzard, Growing Hope
BREAKOUT SESSION
Branding That Sticks: Attracting Food Entrepreneurs to Your Kitchen
Katie Melnick, Fizz Creative
MAIN SESSION
Coaching Your Clients for Retail
Kareem Hammuda, Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT)
Jim Emanuele, US Foods
Travis Reams, Meijer
Sarah Davidson, RangeMe
Michelle McDonald, Specialty Food Association
BREAKOUT SESSION
More Than Just a Survey: Using Data-driven Insights to Serve Members, Promote Impact, and Plan Kitchens
Dawn Thilmany, Colorado State University
Holly Fowler, Northbound Ventures Consulting
Rebecca Wasserman-Olin, Colorado State University
Gretchen Moran, The Culinary Square
12:30PM - 4:30PM
Cleveland Shared Kitchen Bus Tour
WHERE
Stops at Central Kitchen, Prep Kitchen, Ohio City Pasta, and CentroVilla25
Day three
Wednesday, November 12, 8AM - 10PM
8AM - 3PM
Shared Kitchen Summit
WHERE
Crowne Plaza at Playhouse Square
Breakfast and lunch provided
BREAKOUT SESSION
Shared Success, Unique Landscapes: Stories from Urban & Rural Kitchens
Max Kunik, Wingman Kitchens
Adam Schwieterman, Local Roots
BREAKOUT SESSION
Putting the Shared in Shared Kitchen: Best Practices for Creating Harmony in a Commissary
Naomi Maisel, La Cocina
Michelle Magat, La Cocina
MAIN SESSION
Safe & Savory: Building Food Safety into Every Bite
Jacob Freisthler, ECDI Food Fort
Bob Kramer, ECDI Food Fort
Gina Nicholson-Kramer, Miss Gina, LLC
BREAKOUT SESSION
A Primer on Working with an Architect to Build or Renovate a Shared Kitchen Facility
Paul Lewandowski, Paul Designs Project
Jacob Green, Paul Designs Project
BREAKOUT SESSION
Understanding and Navigating the Trajectory of Different Food Businesses
Sherie Theriault, NE Food Business Advisors
Nick Schonberger, NE Food Business Advisors
Luca Carnevale, Hope & Main
Mike Mowry, Hope & Main
MAIN SESSION
Beyond the Kitchen: A Justice-Driven Model for Building Food Businesses that Change Lives
Tammy Thompson, Catapult Greater Pittsburgh
Lachelle Bell, Catapult Greater Pittsburgh
Nissa'a Stallworth-Hewitt, Catapult Greater Pittsburgh
7-10PM
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ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
2025 SUMMIT LOCATION
We’re thrilled to host this year’s summit at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square—an iconic hotel in the heart of Cleveland’s vibrant theater district.
The best part? You can also stay at the Crowne Plaza!
No commuting required—just take the elevator down to the Summit.
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