The conversation revolves around the experiences and insights gained from Expo West, a major trade show for the food and beverage industry. The hosts discuss the scale of the event, the variety of brands present, the importance of networking, and the opportunities for smaller brands to connect with buyers and investors. They also touch on the significance of awards, trends in beverages, challenges in product development, and the educational components of the event. In this conversation, the speakers discuss their experiences and insights from Expo West, focusing on networking strategies, key takeaways from the event, and the challenges faced by new brands in the food and beverage industry. They emphasize the importance of building connections, the need for affordable opportunities for emerging brands, and the potential for creating support networks to help these brands succeed in a competitive marketplace.