Illuminations: Food Industry Community Night!
Join us for a vibrant exploration of the social, environmental & technological ideas that are impacting our everyday lives.
Date and time
Location
The Foundry SF
1425 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94103Refund Policy
About this event
SPECIAL EVENT: This free event is specifically for members of the San Francisco Bay Area Food & Beverage industry. Whether you're a farmer, restaurateur, FoodTech entrepreneur, barista, or server, we believe the food and beverage industry is playing a critical role in shaping the future of our communities. We would be honored for you to join us!
Registration is limited to individuals actively working in the food and beverage industry and invited guests.
Illuminations is an art and science showcase that combines the insights of experts from across perspectives with the visual storytelling of artists from around the world. It's an interactive experience designed to replace talking heads with meaningful discourse, problems with possibilities, and fear with imagination.
This isn't your average art show or science exhibit. It's a lively, experiential gathering designed for you to stay open, informed, and engaged. Illuminations is a place for you to engage with the nuance beneath the headlines, like the ethics of AI and the urgency of environmental stewardship.
In a culture driven by sound bites, hot takes, and information overload, it's easy to feel daunted by the challenges we're facing. Illuminations is a place for you to exchange ideas, seek inspiration, and find energy in the pursuit of more sustainable and equitable communities.
Join us on an illustrated journey to explore possibilities, engage with diverse points of view, and immerse yourself in the vibrant conversations that are shaping our futures.
The fun stuff
- Grab a bite on us. We'll have food (think casual, food truck-style), with plenty of places for you to set up, eat, and join a conversation. More details coming soon.
- Grab a drink on us. There are two bars on-site serving up beer, wine, cocktails, and thoughtfully selected non-alcoholic beverages. One drink ticket included with every registration!
- Enjoy the journey. Take your time! We've got art, interactive installations, lounges, science storytelling, and a playlist crafted by a local DJ to give you plenty of ways to tap into your ideas and imagination.
- Connect with experts. Many of us too rarely have access to engage with the experts in our communities, such as scholars, scientists, practitioners, specialists, and Indigenous knowledge keepers. At each opening, experts from the featured issues will be present throughout the lounges so that you can ask questions and exchange insights and ideas.
- Join the conversation. We recommend putting aside around 2.5 - 3 hours, so that you have plenty of time to explore the exhibits, enjoy a drink and bite, and share your thoughts in some of the conversation lounges set up throughout the space.
- Keep it going. When you arrive, you'll receive an interactive booklet filled with stories, local community organizations and actions, conversation prompts, ideas, and plenty of room for your notes and doodles. It's a tool for you to bring the ideas home so that the show can be just the start.
The important stuff
- Flexible Arrival Time. There is no need to show up right at the beginning of your showtime. In fact, we encourage you to come whenever works best for you, to avoid a long line at the start of each event. Show up any time. Just give yourself ~3 hours to get the most out of the experience.
- Age Restrictions. Illuminations was designed specifically for adults. While we love creating programs for students and families, we don't expect this event's content to be suitable for kids. All evening showings are 18+ and ID is required. Weekend early shows (12pm start time) are all ages, with the caveat that you are responsible for ensuring that your kids stay safe and respectful of other guests' experience.
More questions? Check out the FAQs below or visit the Illuminations website here.
Want to volunteer? Learn more and sign up here.
Frequently asked questions
This special gathering is specifically for members of the local food and beverage community – farmers, cafe owners, servers, bartenders, etc. We believe your voice is critical in shaping the future of our communities, and want to invite you to connect and exchange ideas in this space.
Not at all! This is an informal event. Arrive whenever works for you. In fact, we recommend not arriving exactly at 5pm to avoid a bottleneck at the entrance.
There's no parking at the venue. We may be able to offer valet parking for an additional cost. More info coming soon. We suggest Parkopedia to find a spot (use: "Folsom Street Foundry"). We recommend public transit whenever possible. There are multiple BART, bus, and bike share stations nearby.
The content of this showcase was designed with adults in mind and may not be suitable for children. All evening events are 18+. All ages are permitted at early shows (12pm), though we ask that guardians be responsible for ensuring that your kids stay safe and respectful of other guests' experience.
We recognize that COVID is still active in our community, and that many individuals remain at risk of serious illness. We ask that all attendees be conscientious and vaccinated, if they are medically able. While masks are not required, they are welcomed, and we will have extra masks available.
Most of the venue is accessible. One exhibit is in a loft that is only accessible via spiral staircase. The VIP room may not be accessible to all guests due to stairs. Please contact us ahead of time to discuss your needs. This event is for you and we want to do whatever we can to accommodate.
The event is casual; wear what makes you feel comfortable. However, if you wear something that mocks, dehumanizes, or is intended to express hatred or intimidation towards other groups of people, you will be asked to leave.
At check in, you'll receive an interactive booklet. The showcase has six exhibits that we recommend you move through sequentially, starting with the front lounge, where you can also grab a drink and settle in. At the end, we recommend picking up a bite to eat and spending some time in the lounges.
Our nonprofit team of multidisciplinary scientists, designers, and storytellers led the research and development of the content for the show. You can find some of our core references in the showcase's booklet. To learn more about our approach, please visit the Illuminations website.
We believe in creative inquiry, and our collaborating artists played critical roles in bringing the showcase's ideas and insights to life. In addition to their initial compensation, artists will continue to make a percentage of any product sales related to their work. See more on our site.
Organized by
The Plenary is a 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to putting community conversations and creative gatherings at the center of social, scientific, and environmental issues. Led by a team with expertise in neuroscience, psychology, design, and education, The Plenary leverages insights from across fields to craft imaginative experiences that support openness and engagement.
We collaborate with artists and experts to capture diverse insights and unlock collective knowledge. Our mission is to support the wellbeing of people and the planet by cultivating open, informed, and inspired communities.