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Big Idea Stage to Feature Research, Trends

Big Idea Stage

The Summer Fancy Food Show will feature the Big Idea educational series, featuring consumer trends, market forecasts, peer-led panels, and critical business topics throughout all three Show days.

Following is the Big Idea Stage lineup, taking place at Booth #1036.

Sunday, June 23

11 – 11:30 a.m.

Unlocking Success: Empowering Small Brands to Win Through Data with (included)

In the fiercely competitive landscape of consumer-packaged goods, data has emerged as the ultimate equalizer, offering both David and Goliath the opportunity to thrive. While larger brands have traditionally dominated the field of data analytics, this panel will delve into how smaller players can harness this formidable tool to their advantage.

Speakers: Edricco Reina, managing director, head of financial and innovation services at SPINS; Kathy Yuh, VP at VMG Partners; Le'Spencer Walker, director of the Target Accelerators: Activations and Growth at Target Corporation; Nona Lim, founder & CEO at Nona Lim

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The Future of Retail through NielsenIQ Data

As the retail industry digests recent disruptions driven by technology, the pandemic, and shifting consumer behavior, smart brands are adapting to major changes in real-time with help from business intelligence and data. Get an insider look at the kinds of data retailers will need to succeed.

Speaker: Kenny Juskowiak, managing director, emerging brands at NielsenIQ

12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

State of the Specialty Food Industry 2024-25

Get a first look at SFA's forthcoming State of the Specialty Food Industry Report 2024-25

Each year, the State of the Specialty Food Industry research provides buyers, distributors, brokers, and manufacturers an in-depth look at sales data; generational differences among consumers that are shifting the market; supply chain insights on how the consumer and industry are evolving; and forecasts around which key categories will grow, slow, or take off in the years ahead.

Speaker: David Lockwood, founder at Lockwood Consulting

1:30 – 2 p.m.

Exploring AI’s Impact on the Food and Beverage Space

You've seen it splashed across the headlines: artificial intelligence is transforming every single industry. But what does this look like in practice when it comes to food and beverages? From overdue automation to the broader consumer impact and beyond, this session will dive into the fascinating and complex ways AI has already transformed the landscape—and what we can expect going forward.

Speakers: Oisin Hanrahan, co-founder and CEO at Keychain; Sloan Eddleston, CEO at FreshDirect

2:15 – 2:45 p.m.

A Pizza Lover’s Journey in Foodservice and Retail

Grab a seat and grab a slice with Anthony Mangieri, the trailblazer behind Neapolitan-style pizza in the US, and Dan Pelosi, acclaimed author of Let's Eat.

Anthony Mangieri, founder at Una Pizza Napoletana; Dan Pelosi, founder at GrossyPelosi

2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Snack Attack Unleashed: GenZ Trends

Open the door to a world of snack trends, community-building, and GenZ flavor preferences with Andrea Hernandez, the mastermind behind the food- and beverage-focused newsletter Snaxshot!

Speaker: Andrea Hernandez, founder at Snaxshot

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.

Feeling the Heat: Exploring Nuanced Spice with Hot Ones by Heatonist

Ignite your taste buds and your imagination with the mastermind behind the "Hot Ones" line of sauces!

Speaker: Noah Chaimberg, founder and CEO at HEATONIST

Monday, June 24

12 – 12:30 p.m.

The Retail Revolution: Decoding the New Consumer Path to Purchase

Join Mike Kostyo and Maeve Webster from Menu Matters for an eye-opening session on understanding today's consumer journey in foodservice and its implications for retail.

Speakers: Maeve Webster, president at Menu Matters; Mike Kostyo, VP at Menu Matters

12:45 – 1:15 p.m.

Five Megatrends that Will Redefine the Food and Beverage Industry Over the Next 10 Years

Ready to feast on the future? Brian Choi, CEO of the Food Institute, will explore a handful of the most dynamic forces reshaping the food and beverage industry over the coming decade.

Speaker: Brian Choi, managing partner & CEO at The Food Institute

1:15 – 2 p.m.

Retail's Hidden Strength: Convening Consumers in Place

Join Kevin Kelley, renowned retail architect and author of 'IRREPLACEABLE', to uncover the next big thing in retail. Forget chasing after robots and AI trends. Instead, let's focus on what truly matters: human connection and experience.

Speaker: Kevin Kelley, co-founder at Shook Kelley

2 – 2:30 p.m.

Processed Food, Revolutionized

In a world where processed foods have come under intense scrutiny and implicated in issues ranging from health crises like cancer and diabetes to environmental devastation and labor injustices, the time for change is now.

Speaker: Errol Schweizer, founder & owner at Errol Schweizer LLC

2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Multicultural Merchandising in the Modern Grocery Landscape

Hosted by the National Grocers Association, this session will explore the dynamic world of multicultural merchandising in today's grocery stores. Learn how to embrace diverse cultures beyond traditional boundaries, including holidays and commemorative months, while breaking free from the confines of the "ethnic aisle".  

Speakers: Gladys Marquez, executive director at El Rio Grande Latin Market; Michelle Mendoza, VP of marketing and customer experience at Associated Supermarket Group

3:30 – 4 p.m.

Direct Trade and Vertical Integration: A Global Recipe for Success

Be part of a unique discussion featuring industry pioneers who are leading the charge in reshaping that future of trade and integration. The panel will unveil the transformative impact of a pioneering public-private sector partnership program in Madagascar.

Speakers: Amy Guittard, chief marketing officer at Guittard Chocolate Company; Jim Hazen, technical advisor on private sector engagement and market systems at Catholic Relief Services; Serge Rajaobelina, chairman of board at Sahanala; Tim McCullom, founder & CEO at Beyond Good

Tuesday, June 25

11 – 11:30 a.m.

Upcycling: Market Growth, Movement, and Future Trends

As the UFA embarks on its fifth year and June heralds the inaugural Upcycled Food Month, hear directly from UFA's new CEO Amanda Oenbring about the real-world impact of upcycling, the current state of upcycling efforts and innovation, and what we can anticipate in the future.

Speaker: Amanda Oenbring, CEO at Upcycled Food Association

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Navigating Retail Velocity in 2024: Strategies for Product Movement in Today's Marketplace

Consumer purchasing behavior has evolved significantly, with a greater emphasis on in-store visits and digital platforms provided by retailers. To thrive in this environment, marketers must adopt a comprehensive approach to their sales funnel, one that has evolved significantly since the onset of the pandemic. Join us as industry experts in social media, retail media, and digital couponing/redemption share insights on how to effectively generate awareness, consideration, and trial for CPG brands in the current marketplace.

Speakers: Adam Brown, founder & president at Sircle Media; Chris Tiffin, founder at Go to Aisle; Eric Martindale, founder and CEO at Elite Commerce Group; Hailey Swartz, co-founder/co-CEO at Actual Veggies

12:30 – 1 p.m.

Organic Insights: Unveiling the 2024 Industry Report

Join us for an exclusive first look at the 2024 Organic Industry Survey, presented by the Organic Trade Association.

Speaker: Adrienne Messe, director of events at Organic Trade Association

1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

SFA’s Trendspotter Panel

As they do at every Fancy Food Show, SFA’s panel of buyers, writers, researchers, and industry watchers will be all over the Javits Center during the 2024 Summer Show, seeking out patterns and predicting shifts in food and beverage categories based the products and innovations they discover. Join this advance-preview presentation to hear about the latest trends from our expert panel before everyone else does.

Speakers: Julie Gallagher, director of content development at SFA; Kat Craddock, CEO and editor-in-chief at Saveur; Melanie Bartelme, associate director at Mintel