Don’t miss FaB’s first‑ever Member Conference – a day designed to inspire, connect and celebrate Wisconsin’s dynamic food and beverage industry. We’re bringing together leaders, makers, innovators and teams from across the state for a rich, high‑energy experience focused on leadership, growth, and the future of food and beverage in Wisconsin.
Panel of Industry Leaders
Kick off the day with an inspiring conversation among industry leaders, with Amanda Kroener, Co‑Founder of Carbliss, Shawna Nelson, CEO of Organic Valley, and Shelly Stayer, Chairwoman of Johnsonville. These leaders will share insights on scaling Wisconsin‑born brands, navigating growth in today’s food and beverage landscape, and leading with purpose in fast‑changing markets.
Breakout Sessions
Dig deeper into the topics that matter most to your business. Our interactive breakout sessions will cover practical, relevant themes designed to equip your team with actionable ideas.
Member Trade Show
Explore our members‑only trade show, created exclusively for Conference attendees. FaB members are invited to participate, giving your company a focused opportunity to connect with fellow food and beverage industry peers and increase visibility in a more intimate setting. With compact, non‑powered display tables, this curated trade show highlights the diversity of Wisconsin’s food and beverage ecosystem.
Due to overwhelming interest, our trade show vendor spots are sold out! Get added to the waitlist by emailing us at eallen@fabwisconsin.com.
Networking & Social Hour
Cap off the day with relaxed, meaningful networking. Enjoy beverages, appetizers, and plenty of space to build new relationships, reconnect with industry peers, and spark partnerships that continue long after the conference ends.
Sponsored by
Details
📅 May 28, 2026
🕙 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍Milwaukee Marriott West
W231N1600 Corporate Ct.
Waukesha, WI 53186
Conference Fees
$25 | One Member Admission
$399 | One Non-Member Admission
Registration
Members
FaB Wisconsin members receive the members-only Conference rate of $25. To receive your discount code via email, please complete the form below.
Thank You!
Non-Members
A limited number of non-member tickets are also available and can be purchased at the $399 rate.
Join These Attending Member Companies:
Agenda
2:00-2:30 PM
Arrival & Networking
Check in and start connecting with your industry peers.
2:30-2:50 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Kick off the conference with a welcome and overview of what’s ahead, featuring:
Giacomo Fallucca
Chairman & CEO, Palermo’s Pizza
Sam Krieg
CCo-CEO, Central Storage & Warehouse
Alex Johnson
Food & Beverage Group Lead, Findorff
Stephanie Sobczak
Director of Business Development, Eurofins
2:50-3:40 PM
Moderated Panel
Hear insights and perspectives from industry leaders during a guided panel discussion.
Amanda Kroener
Co-Founder, Carbliss
Shawna Nelson
CEO, Organic Valley
Shelly Stayer
Chairwoman, Johnsonville
John Miller
Secretary & CEO, WEDC
3:40-3:50 PM
Transition
Move between sessions and get settled for breakouts.
3:50-4:20 PM
Breakout Sessions
Choose from focused breakout sessions hosted by Premium members, diving deeper into timely topics.
“Building a Legacy: Succession and Tax Planning for Food & Beverage Companies”
“Food Regulation Is Changing, Your Vendor Contracts Should Too – Practical IP Contracting Moves for Food & Beverage Manufacturers”
Karen
Galivan
Tax Partner, RSM US LLP
Michael
Graft
Partner, RSM US LLP
Jeffrey Peterson
Partner, Michael Best
Paul
Benson
Partner, Michael Best
4:20-6:00 PM
Networking, Trade Show & Social Hour
Wrap up the day with networking, exhibitor tables, and a relaxed social hour with peers.
FaB Member Trade Show – Now Sold Out!
Our members‑only trade show, held exclusively for Conference attendees, is officially sold out. This smaller‑footprint trade show is designed for focused, high‑quality connections with fellow food and beverage industry peers, and we’re thrilled by the strong interest from our member community.
If you’d like to be added to the waitlist in case space opens up, email us at eallen@fabwisconsin.com. Trade show spots are available to FaB members on a first come, first served basis if availability allows.
Meet these organizations at our member trade show:
Meet Our Panelists
Amanda Kroener
Co-Founder, Carbliss
Amanda Kroener is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for empowering women in the workplace, with a career spanning food and beverage, automotive, consumer lending, and energy efficiency. She is the co-founder of SNFood & Beverage LLC, the company behind Carbliss Cocktails, which she leads alongside her husband, Adam Kroener. Together they have grown the brand from its 2018 launch into a nationally recognized powerhouse, selling more than 9 million cases nationwide without significant external funding and earning recognition as the #1 fastest-growing Food and Beverage company in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list in both 2024 and 2025. Known for its full-flavored, zero-carb, zero-sugar, gluten-free cocktails. Amanda has also served as CFO and now holds a board seat at Van Horn Automotive Group, where she drove profitability, led strategic acquisitions, and championed women’s advancement through the creation of the “She Owns It” business resource group. Deeply committed to mentorship, community impact, and advancing women in male-dominated industries, Amanda believes sustainable success is built through collaboration, shared knowledge, and investing in the people and communities that fuel long-term growth.
Shawna Nelson
CEO, Organic Valley
In 2025, Shawna Nelson became Organic Valley’s fourth CEO and first female chief executive officer.
Born and raised in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, where the co-op was founded, Nelson started her career at Organic Valley in 2005 as a human resources intern. She later moved into roles in marketing, sales analysis, recruitment, employee relations, field operations, and dairy pool management.
She most recently served as the executive vice president of membership since October 2023. In this role, she oversaw all farmer touchpoints and pools at the farmer-owned cooperative.
Over the span of almost 20 years, she has advanced from intern to CEO, contributing significantly to Organic Valley’s growth and demonstrating success at every stage. Nelson is committed to continuing Organic Valley’s mission by supporting family farms, delivering high-quality organic food, emphasizing environmental stewardship, and building upon the cooperative’s achievements.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and resides in La Farge, Wisconsin, with her husband Reggie and son Bentley.
Shelly Stayer
Chairwoman, Johnsonville
Shelly Stayer is co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Johnsonville, LLC, the nation’s No. 1 sausage brand that has grown from a small butcher shop into a billion dollar global operation.
Beyond business, her true passion is philanthropy. She founded the Shelly Stayer Shelter for Human Trafficking Victims in 2018. Located in Immokalee, Florida, the 15,000-square-foot shelter in Collier County provides a safe haven for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
In addition to Shelly’s philanthropic efforts, she has also co-authored The Weight of a Father’s Shadow.
Shelly has chaired some of the highest profile fundraising endeavors in the states of Florida and Wisconsin. Her work spans national and local political campaigns, philanthropic endeavors and non-profit organizations. Shelly’s involvement in community relations in Naples, Florida and the State of Wisconsin has helped countless children and families in-need as is evidenced by her many affiliations, which include:
· 2024: Chairperson, Naples Children’s Education Foundation Wine Auction raised $33M
· 2024: Wisconsin 275 Most Influential Leaders
· 2024: Chairperson, Naples Botanical Garden, Hats in Garden
· 2022: Wisconsin 275 Most Influential Leaders
· 2022: Chairperson, Naples Botanical Garden Johnsonville Night Lights
· 2017: Chairperson, C’mon Oktoberfest Gala
· 2016: Chairperson, American Cancer Society Bucket List Bash featuring Andre Boccelli
· 2013: Artis-Naples Event Chair, raised $1.2M
· 2013: Gulf Shore Life Florida Women of Distinction Award
· 2012: Shelter for Women of Abuse, raised $1.3M with 1,000 person luncheon
· 2012: Chairperson, Gentlemen Against Domestic Violence Tailgate
· 2012: Artis Naples, Velvet and Jewels Gala
· 2010: Chairperson, YMCA Capital Campaign, Fond du Lac, WI
· 2009: Co-Chair, United Way Campaign, Sheboygan County, WI
· 2009: Chairperson, Boys and Girls Club Capital Campaign, Fond du Lac, WI
· Board of Directors, Shelter for Women of Abuse, Naples, FL
Boards:
· Board of Directors, Edgewood College, WI
· Board of Directors, Marian University, WI
· Board of Directors, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI
· Board of Directors, Children’s Museum, Naples, FL
· Board of Directors, ARTIS-Naples Philharmonic, Naples, FL
· Board of Directors, Naples Botanical Garden
· Board of Directors, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
· Board of Directors, Boston College
John Miller
Secretary & CEO, WEDC
Prior to joining WEDC in January 2026, John W. Miller was the founder and principal at Arenberg Holdings, a venture capital fund established in 2015 to make investments in early-stage companies, with an emphasis on companies with a connection to Wisconsin. He previously served on WEDC’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee.
John began his career as a Congressional staffer, serving as the chief tax and budget policy advisor for Wisconsin Congressman Jerry Kleczka, who served on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on the Budget. In 2006, John joined Miller-St. Nazianz, Inc., his family’s farm equipment manufacturing business, as president and CEO, marking the fifth generation of his family to lead the company. Under his leadership, the company doubled its employment, tripled its sales, and vastly expanded sales into foreign markets. In late 2014, he sold the company to CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNH), its largest customer.
The list of local charitable boards on which John has served or continues to serve includes the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Discovery World, Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, Law Forward (chair), Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee (chair), Bublr Bikes, and the Wisconsin Policy Forum. John was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board of Directors. In 2021, John was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and in 2024 he was appointed by President Joe Biden to the United States Trade Representative Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy Negotiations.
John was born and raised in Manitowoc. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University, a master’s degree from Georgetown University, and a juris doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Thanks to Our
Premium Conference Sponsors