Maker Growth Summit


Expert-led insights for specialty food brands and industry professionals. Now in its 20th year, the Maker Growth Summit is a dynamic, in-person experience designed for today’s specialty food and beverage leaders.
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Please note: Early Bird pricing ends October 2nd!

About The Event

This three-day program offers a flexible, choose-your-own-adventure format. Join for one, two, or all three days based on where your business needs the most support.

Day 1 (Dec. 8): Selling – Sales strategies to expand distribution and win with buyers

Day 2 (Dec. 9): Scaling – Marketing and operational insights to increase velocity and grow your brand

Day 3 (Dec. 10): Financing – Practical guidance on raising capital and building an investable business

Led by the Specialty Food Association and featuring industry experts Bob Burke, John Maggiore, and Mike Burgmaier, the Summit delivers actionable insights, real-world case studies, and meaningful networking opportunities.

This December, founders, executives, and industry leaders will come together to learn, connect, and gain the tools needed to fuel their next phase of growth.

Event Details

📅 Date: December 8-10, 2026

📍  Location: The NonProfit Center |  89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111

Who's Attending?

Bakaliko Brooklyn Delhi Cedars fishwife kehe Loft Growth Partners New City Microcreamery Painterland Rainforest Distribution Seacrest Foods SPINS Sprouts The Angel Group Whole Foods Market

Co-Hosts

Bob Burke

Natural Products Consulting

Michael Burgmaier

Managing Director & Co-Founder

Whipstitch Capital


John Maggiore

President

Maggiore's Sales

Why Past Attendees Loved It

  • "I was so impressed with the information shared - what a great couple of days spent. I thought the information shared was very approachable and was great to hear questions asked that clearly have participants thinking about how to apply to their day-to-day. Great job to all presenters!! i have already shared my experience with a couple of brands and suggested they consider looking into for next year's seminar."
     

    - Paul, Sr Whole Foods Coordinator, Rainforest Distribution

  • "I wish I would have attended this at the beginning of my career 7 years ago. This was so Impactful."

    - Bethany Burke, Director of Sales, New Primal

     

  • "The educational content was excellent, but the networking alone made the Maker Growth Summit one of the most valuable events I've attended. It's rare to find a room filled with so many founders facing similar challenges, along with retailers, investors, and industry partners who genuinely want to connect. I left with new ideas, new relationships, and several conversations that turned into real business opportunities. For a growing brand, those connections are incredibly impactful."

    - Sonal Khakhar, Founder / CEO, Aahana's Naturals

  • "I enjoyed very much the seminar and meeting people and learning from them. This seminar made me understand how little I knew about this business and provided me with key pointers to put my business on the right track. The subjects chosen were very adequate for a star up like mine. The presenters were very knowledgeable, and their presentations were well conveyed."

    - Aksel, Founder, Amnay Foods

  • "The Financing seminar was one of the most helpful conferences, seminars, events, etc that I have ever attended. Having different types of investors, entrepreneurs, and operators in the same room to share their expertise and experience gives a massive advantage to understanding the framework of raising capital and dialing in the approach and process to achieve success doing so. Very appreciative of the time and effort that went into pulling it all together and especially the folks that were willing to share their time and knowledge with the group."

    - Ryan Kelly, Controller, HOIST

Agenda

Hotel Block Options

Hyatt Regency Boston

Address: One Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111 

Phone: 617-422-5539 

Rate: $185 per night- not inclusive of taxes and charges. 

Date Range: December 7-9, 2026 

2026 Booking Cut-off Date: October 26, 2026 

Description: This hotel is approximately a 7 minute walk from the Summit location of TSNE (89 South St Ste 700, Boston, MA 02111) 

Booking Instructions: Please click here book your stay.

Yotel Boston

Address: 65 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210 

Phone: 1-617-377-4747 

Rate: $149 per night- not inclusive of taxes and charges. 

Date Range: December 7-10, 2026 

Booking Cut-Off Date: November 9, 2026 

Description: This hotel is approximately a 15 minute walk from the Summit location of TSNE (89 South St Ste 700, Boston, MA 02111) 

Booking Instructions: Please call 1-617-377- 4747 to make your reservation. Please inform the reservation agent that you are with the Specialty Food Association Guest Room Block. Alternatively, you can click here to book your stay.

Moxy Downtown Boston

Address: 240 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 

Phone: 617-793-4200 

Rate: $159 per night- not inclusive of taxes and charges. 

Date Range: December 7-10, 2026 

Booking Cut-Off Date: November 20, 2026 

Description: This hotel is approximately an 11 minute walk from the Summit location of TSNE (89 South St Ste 700, Boston, MA 02111) 

Booking Instructions: Please click here to book your stay.

Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown

Address: 275 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116

Phone: 617-426-1400

Rate: $159 per night- not inclusive of taxes and charges.

Date Range: December 7-9, 2026

Booking Cut-Off Date: Thursday,  November 5th 2026

Description:  This hotel is approximately a 7 minute walk from the Summit location of TSNE (89 South St Ste 700, Boston, MA 02111)

Booking Instructions: Please call 800-321-2211 to make your reservation. Please inform the reservation agent that you are with the Specialty Food Association Guest Room Block. Alternatively, you can use click here to book your stay. 

Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?


Contact Sue Khawaja: [email protected]