FAQ – Pitching to Buyers
How do I apply to pitch to retailers?
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, you sure do. The link to our ticket page is here.
Does buying a ticket guarantee me a pitching time slot?
No it does not. What it guarantees you, is entry to the Festival; to hear ‘mistake-saving’ advice from the speakers on the Main Stage; an opportunity to network with the industry throughout the day and at Happy Hour; product and media exposure; participation in Collaboration Corner; a place for your product to be displayed on Stickybeak Station; and the opportunity to submit an application to one or all of our retailer partners.
How will brands be selected to pitch?
All eligible applications will be viewed by the buyer team. You will be emailed a copy of your application after submitting but please note once you submit your application, no changes can be made by you or us on your behalf. Successful applicants will be advised of their pitching time by 17 May 2023.
If I have a ticket and submit an application, do I need to be at the Festival in person?
You need to be available, in person at the Festival, on Friday 19 May 2023 between 10am-4pm.
Where do I go to pitch on the day?
Great question! At the Festival, there will be a Pitch Hub. Once you have a Festival ticket (you can’t pitch without one!), apply to pitch to a retailer (or retailers) according to their category criteria outlined in the application and if your application is successful, you’ll get a firm pitching time slot and pitch for 10 minutes face-to-face on Festival day in the Pitch Hub.
How long do I have to pitch?
We’re giving you the opportunity to get in front of a retail buyer(s) for ten minutes each pitch.
What do I bring?
That’s your call. If it were us, we’d consider bringing; a pitch deck (digital or analogue), product samples with any spoons/forks/knives we might need, and our best pitch script dialled in. If you need some help with your pitch script, download our Pitch Preparation Plan. It’s the gold standard.
What will be in the pitching room for me to use to pitch?
A table and a chair. If you need something else, we suggest you bring it. Please note no heating/chilling/freezing equipment is permitted at the venue for this event.
Who will I be pitching to?
You’ll be pitching to the buyer or multiple buyers from the retailer you applied to pitch to. They may be the head buyer, the owner operator, the category manager or some other buyer role, but that’s up to the retailer to decide and not the Festival.
Can I pitch to more than one buyer?
You betcha. The Festival will coordinate the retailers to avoid any clash of time slots for foodpreneurs pitching to multiple buyers.
When will I find out if I’m successful?
Applications close on Wednesday, 10 May 2023 at 5pm AET. This date and time is non-negotiable. All eligible applications will be viewed by the buyer team. Once you submit your application, no changes can be made by you or the Festival on your behalf and you must have a ticket to the Foodpreneurs Festival to apply. Successful applicants will be advised of their pitching time by 17 May 2023. Please make sure you check the inbox associated with the email you supplied with your pitch application.
What if I can’t make my pitching time slot?
You need to be available, in person at the Festival, on Friday 19 May 2023 between 10am-4pm. Successful applicants will be advised of their pitching time by 17 May 2023. It would be a bummer if you couldn’t make the time. If that’s the case, we suggest you liaise with the retailer to reorganise a time slot for either on the day of the Festival or another time/day. Rescheduling pitching time slots is at the retailers discretion and Foodpreneurs Festival has no control or part in that process.
Can I request a pitching time slot?
Unlikely. There’s a lot for the buyer to coordinate to make the Festival valuable for themselves and their business. We at the Festival suggest you need to be available on Friday 19 May 2023 between 10am-4pm. Successful applicants will be advised of their pitching time by 17 May 2023.
What do I do if I’ve got follow up questions with the buyer?
We at the Festival strongly suggest that just as you would when pitching outside of the Festival, you ask the buyer at the end of your pitch, who, how and when is the best time for you to follow up.
When does pitch submissions close?
Applications close on Wednesday, 10 May 2023 at 5pm AET. This date and time is non-negotiable. All eligible applications will be viewed by the buyer team. Once you submit your application, no changes can be made by you or the Festival on your behalf and you must have a ticket to the Foodpreneurs Festival to apply. Successful applicants will be advised of their pitching time by 17 May 2023.