‘Exploring the frontiers of innovation’: Food Vision USA to inspire food business leaders on cutting-edge technologies, trends and opportunities

Chicago will host the first ever Food Vision USA event in October 2015, bringing together senior figures in business strategy, R&D and marketing from established players and rising stars in the US food and nutrition industries.

Organized by the publishers of FoodNavigator-USA and NutraIngredients-USA, Food Vision USA will explore the frontiers of innovation for America’s diverse food, beverage and nutrition industries.

Food Vision USA builds on the success of the Food Vision global event, held annually in Cannes, France since 2013. Food Vision USA will focus exclusively on the dynamics of the world’s biggest food market and the energy and creativity of the manufacturers operating within it.

“The US boasts some of the most iconic brands in the global food industry,” said Stephen Daniells, PhD, Senior Editor of FoodNavigator-USA and NutraIngredients-USA and Editorial Consultant of Vision Events. “It is not only the biggest domestic market with annual sales of $2.1 trillion; its companies are also a major influence on global markets. US processed food exports have set new records in each of the past five years and surpassed $45 billion in 2013.”

Daniells points to innovation across every market segment as the engine of this unprecedented growth. “As President Obama said in 2011, ‘the world is shifting to an innovation economy and nobody does innovation better than America’. Innovation touches every aspect of the food industry, from product formulation to consumer engagement, from sourcing and sustainability to brand development. Food Vision USA will provide a platform to explore the frontiers of innovation for companies large and small.”

A proven formula

Food Vision USA will bring together senior figures in business strategy, R&D and marketing from established players and rising stars in the US food and nutrition industries. It will adopt the proven Vision Events formula, with a comprehensive program of presentations, discussions and debates delivered by leading practitioners and subject matter experts. This will be combined with senior level networking within an exclusive Food Vision residential environment, created at the world famous Drake Hotel in Chicago’s Gold Coast district.

“The Vision Events formula works because it gives people time and space to share experience, identify opportunities for successful collaboration and to be strategic and creative,” said Len Monheit, General Manager of William Reed Business Media USA, the organizers of Food Vision and publishers of Food Navigator-USA and NutraIngredients-USA. “By bringing Food Vision USA to Chicago, home of so many major food businesses and institutions, we have placed it at the beating heart of the American food and drink industry.”

Food Vision USA will shine a spotlight on the companies – large and small – that are doing most to drive innovation and champion change. Among the themes that will be addressed from the conference floor are:

• Targeting health and wellness: With obesity and type-2 diabetes at record levels, the food industry accepts it is part of the answer to America’s health problems. 30,000 ‘healthier’ products have been launched in the last ten years. We’ll examine the best and consider what more should be done.

• Pursuing innovation: The USA may lead the world, but it can’t afford to take its eye off the innovation ball. We’ll review how companies are using open, disruptive and durable innovation techniques to get ahead and stay ahead; and look around the world for more innovation inspiration.

• Consumers and technology: The 21 century’s ‘connected consumers’ looks to technology for food information and education as well as shopping convenience. We’ll consider new channel developments and how food businesses can maximize their potential.

• The conscious consumer: With concerns about health, nutrition and sustainability rising up the consumer agenda, we’ll examine growth in ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ segments and review the changing landscape of corporate and social responsibility.

“We’ll deliver insights that will help our audience to accelerate successful strategies that address market change and fuel profitable growth,” commented Monheit. “As a forum for debate, Food Vision encourages radical thinking, invites change and provides for an honest evaluation of opportunity and risk.”

Food Vision USA will be held annually in Chicago and will complement the Food Vision global event, held in Cannes, France. Organizers, William Reed Business Media, will work in partnership with leading industry service providers to create a compelling program.

For details of the inaugural Food Vision USA, and the full range of Vision Events, contact Len Monheit (General Manager of William Reed Business Media USA) or Christina Wood (Events Development Director).