Market season is officially here! Join us for a networking event tailored for entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to excel in farmer’s and artisan markets as well as consumer facing events. Hear important deadlines and application requirements while learning from experts and seasoned entrepreneurs on ways to optimize booth setup, engage effectively with prospects, and convert leads into lasting connections and sales.
Moderator
Jason Caldeira, founder of Caldeira Co.™, is an award-winning designer and design director with 30+ years’ experience in both digital and traditional applications, including branding & identity development, marketing, packaging, illustration, and web design. His experience ranges from Oprah Winfrey and New Belgium Brewing to local businesses and independent retailers, with considerable expertise in the food, beverage and spirits space.
Speakers
Perteet Spencer is the Co-Founder, President & CEO at AYO. Perteet brings 20 years of packaging goods sales and brand marketing experience to AYO. Her deep industry experience includes time at LEGO and General Mills. Perteet led sales and consulting teams at SPINS where she advised fortune 500 companies and emerging natural brands on winning growth strategies. Inspired by her family’s own West African traditions, her love of Natural Products, and her co-founder husband, AYO was born.
Jonathan Smith is a principal co-founder and co-owner of INV Marketing Group LLC, which operates the Chicago Artisan Market in both Fulton Market and Ravenswood, as well as the Oak Brook Artisan Market and the Naperville Artisan Market in the western suburbs. Jonathan is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of professional experience as an asset manager, brand creator, business owner, digital marketer and signature event producer. The Chicago Artisan Market has worked with over 1,000 small businesses in food, fashion, home goods and art since inception, helping them reach and sell to new customers.
Ogechi Anyanwu is Curatorial and Design Director at Renegade Craft, a curated marketplace of artists and designers. She specializes in collaborating with small businesses and bridging strategy and design to create immersive shopping experiences for vendors and attendees.
Corey Chatman, is the Deputy Director of Operations The Experimental Station, a not-for-profit incubator of innovative cultural projects and small-scale enterprises. The Experimental Station runs the 61st Street Farmers Market, processes LINK transaction at 15 City of Chicago Farmers Markets, and administers the LINK Up Illinois Program. Corey manages both the LINK transactions for the city markets and the LINK Up Illinois programs and currently serves on the board of directors of the newly formed Illinois Farmers Market Association.
