About the Event:
One of our most anticipated events of the year is back! Stay ahead of the curve with the latest consumer trends and market insights. You’ll be among the first to hear from top trend forecasters and futurists who will provide a clear view into the industry’s future. Connect with experts from Mintel, Circana, and Menu Matters as they reveal the critical shifts shaping consumer behaviors, product innovation, and brand strategy. This networking event offers an inside look at what’s driving tomorrow’s marketplace, arming you with the strategic insights to keep your brand at the cutting edge.
Agenda:
4:30 PM – Door‘s Open
5:15 PM – Opening Remarks
5:30 PM – Trends Presentation
6:30 PM – Networking & Cocktail/Mocktail Hour
7:30 PM – Event Close
This event is at no cost for residents of West Side communities. To register, email Dana.
About the Speaker:
Lynn Dornblaser is the Director of Innovation & Insight at Mintel. With more than 30 years of experience, she applies her unique perspective on the market and new product development to tailored client research. She has been quoted by major US news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and CNN.
Mike Kostyo is the Vice President at Menu Matters, a private consultancy that works with foodservice professionals to analyze, understand, and leverage food and beverage, industry, and consumer trends. Kostyo has been a recurring guest on Fusion TV’s “The A.V. Club” show; has been featured on NBC News, CBS Radio and Gimlet Media’s “Why We Eat What We Eat” podcast; is regularly featured in newspapers and magazines; speaks at numerous conferences across the country; and was a judge on Food Network’s “Eating America.” For over a decade, he was the resident Trendologist and an Associate Director at Datassential, one of the food industry’s leading insights companies. Kostyo has a master’s in Gastronomy from Boston University, plus certificates in the culinary arts, baking arts, wine and artisan cheese production.
Joan Driggs is the Vice President of Content and Thought Leadership, Circana (formerly IRI and NPD). Joan attributes curiosity as key to her 30-plus year career as a results-driven market researcher, CPG trade journalist and thought leader. Joan’s thought leadership work regularly serves as a foundation from which IRI teams develop innovative, holistic solutions for clients, and is regularly showcased during top-to-top client meetings, industry conferences and webinars, media, academic and custom studies. Her motto: Make the shopper the hero. Joan hosts the IRI Growth Insights podcast (download today!) and is frequently quoted in leading industry media. She supports industry organizations such as NextUp and Les Dames d’Escoffier International. In 2021 and 2022 she was recognized by Progressive Grocer and EnsembleIQ as a Top Woman in Grocery.
