Expo West Kickoff A Rooftop Celebration with Lorissa’s Kitchen

The 2025 Expo West trade show in Anaheim kicked off in spectacular fashion with an exclusive rooftop gathering hosted by Lorissa’s Kitchen. Held at the Westin Anaheim’s Rise Rooftop Lounge, this invite only event welcomed food industry professionals, wellness brands, and startup founders from across the country. As the sun dipped over Orange County, guests enjoyed curated drinks, allergen friendly appetizers, and meaningful conversations in a relaxed open air setting offering a warm prelude to one of the largest natural and organic product expos in the world.

Lorissa’s Kitchen, also known as LK Meats, has become a recognized name within the functional snack space, especially for its commitment to allergen conscious, clean label meat snacks. The brand’s journey is rooted in founder Lorissa Link’s personal experience. When traditional beef sticks proved incompatible with her dietary needs due to allergens and additives, she decided to create something new snacks that were as safe as they were satisfying. The result was a line of premium protein sticks made with responsibly raised meats, free from the top nine allergens, gluten free, sugar free, and without nitrates or soy.

The kickoff party itself reflected the same thoughtful values.

Roughly 100 guests gathered for an evening of relaxed networking, complete with branded swag bags filled with samples from like minded, health conscious companies. What truly stood out, though, was Ms. Link’s presence at the event. She spent the evening personally greeting guests, engaging in conversations, and listening to the stories of other founders and brands. Her hands on leadership exemplified the kind of authenticity and accessibility that many in the industry strive for but few truly embody.

Events like this remind the broader Expo West community that connection and purpose are just as important as product placement. With over 3,000 exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees scheduled to participate throughout the week, the kickoff served as a meaningful moment of reflection before the show’s fast paced energy fully took over.

Mission Driven Brands A Blueprint for Small Business Success

What makes brands like this so impactful is not just what they sell but why they were created. At its core, this company began with a personal need and a vision for something better. That sense of mission filling a gap, solving a real world problem, and doing so with integrity has become a foundation for long term success.

For small businesses and early stage entrepreneurs, this story is both instructional and inspiring. It proves that a big idea doesn’t have to start with a big budget. Instead, it can begin with a simple question What’s missing, and how can I help fix it? When a company is built around that kind of purpose, it tends to connect more deeply with customers, communities, and collaborators.

By listening to consumer needs, staying true to core values, and being adaptable, small businesses can create products and experiences that stand out in crowded markets. Purpose isn’t just a branding term it’s a growth strategy. And when that purpose is lived out authentically, like it was at this rooftop gathering, the impact can resonate far beyond the event itself.

As Expo West continues to unfold, this kickoff serves as a reminder of what makes the wellness industry thrive community, vision, and a clear sense of mission. Whether launching a new product or scaling an established brand, it’s these values that continue to shape the future of health and innovation one story at a time.