Summit to Shelf: Scaling Food and Ag Businesses on the West Slope Workshop

Summit to Shelf: Scaling Food and Ag Businesses on the West Slope
Monday, October 5th
11:00 – 4:00 pm MT
La Plata County Fairgrounds Animas Meeting Room
2500 Main Avenue

Summit to Shelf is a two-part program designed to support agriculture, food, and beverage entrepreneurs across the West Slope, from early-stage ideas to growth-ready value-added agricultural and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. This program combines a hands-on business workshop and a live founder showcase.

1. Part 1: Half-Day Workshop from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Animas Room at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
2. Part 2: Colorado Collision – Durango from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Subterrain which is located at 900 Main Avenue (entrance on 9th Street). All are welcome to attend. Collision Participants must register for the Workshop and apply for the Collision BY AUGUST 31ST. Apply here.

All program participants will receive practical tools, peer feedback, and direct technical assistance from experienced founders and food system support organizations. Lots of opportunities for structured networking.

The event will:

• Offer a hands-on agriculture, food & beverage workshop to help founders sharpen their business and readiness to tell their story
• Culminate in a live founder showcase spotlighting emerging Western Slope food and ag brands
• Connect entrepreneurs with partners, mentors, and ecosystem leaders
• Create a clear on-ramp from regional startups into Colorado’s broader food and agriculture innovation economy

Who: Agriculture, food, and beverage entrepreneurs across the West Slope, from early-stage ideas to growth-ready value-added agricultural and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.

Registration is $50 (late registration is $75) and includes lunch, workshop, and 1-year Naturally Colorado Membership including access to the virtual and asynchronous CPG Academy.

Part 1: Half-Day Workshop (Monday October 5th, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Location: Animas Room at the La Plata County Fairgrounds

Getting there: Parking is free on site. Public Transportation is available from the Durango Transit Center Trolley North on the Red Line at the Rec Center (https://maps.app.goo.gl/8j3TLV77ggQcV7Tu8).

Agenda

• 11:00 – Grab Lunch as you come in
• 11:15 – Welcome + What to Expect
• 11:45 – Founder Panel – Building a Brand that Lasts
• 12:15 – Rapid Fire – Breakout overview – direct to topic summaries and facilitator bios. Answer any questions.
• 12:45 – Breakouts Tactical Session
• Breakout 1
  • Ideation “where do we go next”
  • Pricing and COGs – startup capital
  • Branding and packaging
• Breakout 2
  • Preparing your pitch
  • D2C sales strategy & advertising
  • Operation and production
• Breakout 3
  • Retail marketing
  • Sourcing/collaboration
  • Cash flow and financing growth
• 3:00 – Retailer Wrap up
• 3:30 – Wrap up
• 4:15 – Networking session
  • The Rochester Hotel, 726 E 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 81301. Please keep your name badge on.

Part 2: Colorado Collision – Durango. Apply for the showcase here!