It has been 2.5 years of building, scaling, and obsessing over CPG brands at Pixel Theory.
We’ve helped grow some of the best names in the category, but there is one thing I haven't done yet: I haven't gone to Expo West
Next month, that changes.
I’m heading to Anaheim for Natural Products Expo West 2026 (March 3–6).
For the uninitiated, Expo West isn't just a place to snack on keto cookies. It is the forecasting hub for the entire consumer economy. With 3,000+ exhibitors and 60,000+ attendees, this is where you go to see where the money is actually moving.
Here is why I’m going (and what I’m looking for):
Cutting Through the "AI" Smoke
This year, Expo West is hosting its first CPG Innovation Summit focused on AI-driven operations.
If you read my last email about the "March 2020 of AI," you know my stance: Tools don't replace taste. The industry is going to be full of "fully automated" solutions and "miracle" tech. I’m going there to separate the signal from the noise. I want to see which tools actually remove the grunt work so founders can focus on the product, and which ones are just expensive distractions.
Following the Spending
Regardless of what happens with the economy, people still buy products that make them feel better. We are tracking three massive waves where consumer spend is flowing in 2026:
"Stacked" Wellness: Single-benefit products are dead. Consumers want protein coffee, mushroom sodas, and fiber-forward snacks that do three things at once.
Regenerative Organic (ROC): Sustainability isn't a buzzword anymore; it's a trust signal.
The "Macro" Return: We are seeing a hard pivot away from "fake meats" and over-processed interaction. The money is moving back to whole-fat dairy, high-protein animal products, and "clean" nostalgia.
Let’s Meet Up
I’m not just going to walk the floor and look at packaging. I want to connect with the operators, founders, and investors who are actually building in the arena.
Whether it’s walking the Hot Products halls, grabbing a coffee, or hitting the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace on Tuesday, let’s make it happen.
I set up a quick poll below to coordinate 👇
Are you going to Expo West?
See you in Anaheim. 🌴
