Prepared Foods proudly hosts an intimate and thought-provoking event for food + beverage professionals in consumer insights, innovation, R&D, marketing, packaging, and related roles. Just as the food and beverage industry is always changing, Prepared Foods is pleased to bring you completely fresh and exclusive new insights and perspectives on tastes and trends for today—as well as tomorrow.
 
Make plans to attend the New Products Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Chicago’s Swissotel. Think you know enough about cannabis-based foods and drinks? Here are three New Products Conference sessions guaranteed to deliver even deeper insights.
 
SESSION #1 / THE NEXT FRONTIER: CANNABIS-BASED FOODS AND DRINKS / ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES!
Trend spotters already consider cannabis edibles as a top 10 food trend and US and Canadian sales of these food and drink products are projected to reach $4.1 billion by 2022, according to a report from ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics. Prepared Foods New Products Conference is pleased to welcome Cannabistry Labs President Scott Mandell and Executive Vice President Shehzad Hoosein. Cannabistry Labs, Niles, Ill., is a third-party product development and scientific products consultant specializing in cannabinoid products and research. Mandell joined the company in 2017 after selling his own innovative company, Enjoy Life Foods, an allergen-free products pioneer, to Mondelez International. Hoosein joined Cannabistry Labs in 2015 after more than 15 years of leadership in product innovation at DIAGEO, the world’s leading premium spirits company. Mandell and Hoosein share insights and predictions about this dynamic and fast-growth market. Topics will include the latest trends in new food and beverage development as well as the critical issues of supporting food science, food safety and regulatory / labeling
 
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SESSION #2 / BEYONDBRANDS LLC “BUILDING THE FUTURE OF CONSCIOUS BUSINESS”
BeyondBrands LLC is a mission-driven “Conscious Collective” of industry veterans who believe a new generation of the profitable businesses can benefit people and the planet. Led by Founder Eric Schnell, BeyondBrands applies its business and brand building talent to emerging companies in five core areas: Food, Beverage,  Plant Medicine, Well Being and Nutraceuticals. Come hear Schnell share BeyondBrands’ vision for growth for emerging brands and  cutting-edge categories—including cannabis-based products! Included in BeyondBrands’ portfolio is Mood 33, a line of cannabis-infused beverages.
 
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SESSION #3 / DESIGN THINKING: THINK, ACT & INNOVATE LIKE A “CHALLENGER BRAND”
New product development routinely connects consumer insights with ingredients. But what if you could dramatically increase new product appeal with a third dimension: design thinking. Come join FORCE pkg Founder Tom Newmaster for a fun, roll-up-your sleeves workshop that will challenge attendees to think outside the box while they combine product ideation and development with package design. Winner of more than 45 design awards, Newmaster has decades of food and beverage experience and has worked with many emerging and “challenger” brands rising up to compete in different markets. The FORCE crew has strategic and tactical design experience across numerous categories, including automotive, breakfast cereal, cheese, confectionery, fresh produce, frozen food, hardware, household cleaning, housewares, ice cream, nutritional supplements, meat, outdoor, OTC and snacks. FORCE pkg already has proven packaging experience in the fast-growth cannabis-based products market.
 
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