The Schedule

MARCH 19, 2023

5:45 – 6:45pm – New Member First Timer Reception

7:00 – 10:00pm – SNAXPO23 Opening Reception

MARCH 20, 2023

8:00 – 10:00am – General Session Breakfast with Mainstage Speakers

10:00am – 5:00pm – Trade Show and Education Sessions

5:30 – 6:30pm – SnackPAC Reception

MARCH 21, 2023

8:00 – 10:00am – General Session Breakfast with Mainstage Speakers

10:00am – 5:00pm – Trade Show and Education Sessions

5:00 – 6:00pm – Sponsor Reception

6:00 – 8:00pm – SNAXPO23 Closing Party

At SNAXPO23, attendees have option to purchase a pass with access to the Exhibit Hall only or upgrade to a full conference package. Explore which pass gives you access to show happenings. 

Exhibit Hall Only Pass Full Conference Package
Exhibit Hall Hours Monday 3/20/23 and Tuesday 3/21/23
Reception inside Exhibit Hall Monday 3/20/23
Lunch inside Exhibit Hall Monday, 3/20/23
Lunch inside Exhibit Hall Tuesday, 3/21/23
Educational Sessions on Trade Show Floor
Opening Party Sunday 3/19/23
Closing Cocktail Reception Tuesday 3/21/23
Circle of Honor Award Ceremony
General Session Breakfast with Keynote Speakers Monday 3/20/23
General Session Breakfast with Keynote Speakers Tuesday 3/21/23

Schedule at a glance

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023
8:00am - 7:30pm Exhibit Hall Registration Open Exhibit Hall Registration AB
5:30 - 6:30pm New Member / First Timer Reception Castillo Fort
6:30 - 9:30pm SNAXPO23 Opening Reception
Sponsored by Heat and Control / Ishida
Coquina Lawn
MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2023
7:00 - 7:45am Annual SNAC International Business Member Meeting Naples Meeting Room
Begins at 7:15am General Session Breakfast Osceola Ballroom AB
8:00am - 5:00pm Exhibit Hall Registration Open Exhibit Hall Registration AB
8:00 - 9:00am

Keynote Session: Trends for the Now, Next, and Future of Snacking presented by Jenny Zegler, Director, Mintel Food & Drink and Global Consumer

For the next 12 months, brands can give in to consumers’ desires for Unguilty Pleasures and allow consumers the freedom to indulge and to treat themselves. Looking ahead to the next 2-5 years, consumers will be looking for Savvy Sustenance, or affordable food that is also nutritious and filling. Forecasting ahead toward the end of the decade, food has an opportunity to help consumers as they seek to Stay Sharp with formulations that optimize mental performance at work, at home and at play.

Osceola Ballroom AB
9:00am Snack Producer of the Year presented by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery Osceola Ballroom AB
9:30am Circle of Honor Awards Ceremony Osceola Ballroom AB
10:00am - 4:00pm Exhibit Hall Floor Open Exhibit Hall Floor
10:30am

Education Session: LatAm Report: Human Insights and Snacking Trends in Latin America

Coca-Cola insights leader Alejandro Prieto and NielsenIQ analyst Julian Frenk present insights and findings from research into Latin American consumer behavior as well as the state of the snack category in the region.

Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
11:30am - 2:30pm

Puppy Lounge

Exhibit Hall Floor
11:30am

Startups @ SNAXPO Exhibit Hall Tours

Exhibit Hall Floor: Startups Hub
11:30am

SNAC Bites: Continuous Mixing for Snack Foods: Why Continuous Mixing May Be a Better Choice For Your Operation

Reading Bakery Systems will discuss why the demand for continuous mixing technology continues to soar and how it addresses manufacturing challenges, who has embraced the technology, and why it may be a better choice than batch mixing for your operation.

Exhibit Hall Floor: SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
11:45am - 2:00pm

Complimentary Lunch Served in Exhibit Hall

Exhibit Hall Floor
12:15pm

Education Session: Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem: A Collaboration, Not a Competition

A panel discussion featuring Robert Cotton, PepsiCo, and members of the packaging supply chain

Moderator: Patrick Clark , VP, R&D and Procurement, Bryce Corporation

Panelists:

  • Christiane Waldron, Director Business Development, Kaneka (Resin Manufacturer)
  • Jeff Hopp, Marketing Director, Charter NEX (Film Manufacturer)
  • Brendan McNulty, Business Director, Taghleef (Film Manufacturer)
  • Viviane Ramsey, Business Development Manager, Sun Chemical (Ink and Coatings Manufacturer)
  • John Meehan, Product Development Senior Manager, Bryce Corporation (Converter)
  • Jeff Boekeloo, Director, Product Development, Printpack (Converter)
  • Rob Cotton, R&D Director Food Packaging Sustainable Materials, PepsiCo (Brand Owner)
  • Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
    1:15pm

    SNAC Bites: The Future of In-Store Insights - Real-time, Actionable, and On-demand

    Premise Chief Customer Officer, Kim Bruce, and Solutions Consultant, Marc Ajel, will share insights on solutions to improve display executions and formulate more effective approaches. In this session, you’ll unlock successful executions and benefit from crowdsourced shopper insights. The insights provided by real shoppers will allow you to make better, informed decisions that could lead to higher levels of success for your business.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
    2:00pm

    Education Session: Co-Packing, Grow Snacking: Keys to Successful Co-Manufacturing

    A panel of co-manufacturers, product development specialists, operations experts, and a startup founder discuss how to find the right manufacturing partner and build the relationship to succeed together.

    Moderator: Monica Watrous, Managing Editor, Food Entrepreneur

    Panelists:
  • Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Catapult Commercialization Services
  • Dave Krombeen, GM/VP Sales, Cheeze Kurls, LLC
  • Pete Brennan, VP, Innovation, Mattson
  • Chuck Woods, Senior Director - Commercial, MSI Express Inc.
  • Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
    3:00 - 5:00pm Startups @ SNAXPO Sampling Showcase Startups Hub
    3:00pm

    SNAC Bites: Heating Methods for Fryers

    The Director of Processing at PPM Technologies, Daniel Luna, provides an Introduction to the various heating methods used on snack fryers in North America, Latin America, and other global regions, including how different heating systems affects capital investment, fuel efficiency, operating cost; how sustainability initiatives has an affect in deciding which heating method to use; and a review of various fuel/heating methods.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
    4:00 - 5:00 Exhibit Hall Reception
    Sponsored by Rudolph Foods
    Startups Hub
    5:00 - 5:30pm Annual SNAC International Associate Member Meeting SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
    5:30 - 6:30pm SnackPAC Reception with Guest Speaker, Stephanie Murphy, Former Member of Congress (D-FL) Miami Meeting Room
    TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023
    Begins at 7:15am General Session Breakfast Osceola Ballroom AB
    8:00am-4:00pm Exhibit Hall Registration Open Exhibit Hall Registration AB
    8:00 - 9:00am

    Keynote Session: A Fireside Chat with Howard Friedman, CEO, Utz Brands

    Osceola Ballroom AB
    9:00 - 10:00am

    Keynote Session: The Art of the Intangible presented by Shane Battier, Two-time NBA Champion and Former Vice President, Analytics and Basketball Development, Miami Heat

    He can't jump very high. He’s not very fast. In fact, he fails the ‘eyeball’ test in nearly every basketball category. And yet, Shane Battier has proved to be invaluable to every team he has ever suited up for. In this impassioned and inspiring presentation, Battier shares with audiences the ways in which he believes sacrifice, ownership, embracing failure, championship professionalism, and a Hunger Games mentality contribute to the powerful and significant intersection of art and commerce. A genuine team player, he knows that champions are often made when no one is looking and encourages audience members to always do what it takes for the team to succeed—whether their efforts receive recognition or not. Stats don't always tell the story of value, and Battier is living proof.

    Osceola Ballroom AB
    10:00am - 4:00pm Exhibit Hall Floor Open Exhibit Hall Floor
    10:30am

    Education Session: How PepsiCo Foods North America is Creating a Better Food System through PepsiCo Positive

    Rachael Lawrence, Senior Director Sustainability for PepsiCo Foods North America discusses how the company is creating growth and shared value with sustainability and human capital at the center.
    Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
    11:30am - 2:30pm

    Puppy Lounge

    Exhibit Hall Floor
    11:30am

    Startups @ SNAXPO Exhibit Hall Tours

    Exhibit Hall Floor: Startups Hub
    11:30am

    SNAC Bites: How Packaging and Food Handling Operations are Increasing Capacity and Reducing Costs with the “Robotics-as-a-Service” Automation Model

    Bryan McClelland, Sales Director at Formic, discusses a new automation service model can help achieve business goals. Attendees will learn the difference between Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) and a traditional automation equipment purchase, which packaging and food & beverage companies are using RaaS, and see examples of robots in action and their benefits.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
    11:45am - 2:00pm

    Complimentary Lunch Served in Exhibit Hall

    Exhibit Hall Floor
    12:15pm

    Education Session: In the Weeds: Legal and Technical State of Cannabis for Food

    Consumer interest in the functional properties of cannabis-derived food ingredients continues to grow, so cannabis legal and regulatory expert Steven Schain joins us to explore what this could mean for the snack food category.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
    1:15pm

    SNAC Bites: Snack Trends: If Snack Seasonings were Social Media Platforms & What’s the Next Flavor

    Presented by Mandy Sakar, Senior Customer Marketing Manager, MANE, Inc.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: SNAC Bites Innovation Stage
    2:00pm

    Education Session: Regulatory Crunch: Policy Update for Snack Foods

    Martin Hahn, SNAC International general counsel, Hogan Lovells partner, and a SNAXPO favorite, leads a lively discussion of regulatory and policy issues facing the snack food industry in 2023. As is always the case, Martin’s presentation is a can’t-miss stop on your SNAXPO agenda.

    Exhibit Hall Floor: Knowledge Zone
    5:30 - 6:30pm Sponsor Reception Castillo Fort Meeting Room
    6:30 - 8:30pm SNAXPO23 Closing Party Coquina Lawn

    MEET OUR PRESENTERS

    Keynote: Trends for the Now, Next and Future of Snacking with Jenny Zegler

    Monday, March 21 | 8:00 – 9:00AM

    Presented by Jenny Zegler, Director, Mintel Food & Drink and Global Consumer

    Ms. Zegler has 15 years of experience covering the beverage and food industry. She has led the creation of Mintel’s Global Food & Drink Trends since 2015. Jenny regularly shares data-driven insights on what consumers want in food and drink and why with clients, in the media, and at conferences in the US and around the world. Prior to joining Mintel in 2012, she spent six years as a journalist, primarily writing for food and beverage trade magazines.

    LatAm Report: Human Insights and Snacking Trends in Latin America

    Monday, March 20 | 10:30AM

    Coca-Cola insights leader Alejandro Prieto and NielsenIQ analyst Julian Frenk present insights and findings from research into Latin American consumer behavior as well as the state of the snack category in the region. This session will offer a live Spanish translation.

    Alejandro Prieto has more than 20 years understanding consumers, customers and shoppers through different research experiences including standard methodologies, modeling and data science, neuroscience and even creating new ways of doing research or analyzing data. All these with the only purpose of creating business value and enable growth.

    He has extensive experience in all aspects of market research for well-known local and global brands in diverse categories and countries, and through his career, he has been on the client and vendor side. Alejandro holds a BA in Marketing (Tecnologico de Monterrey) and a specialization in Business Analytics (Wharton).

    Julian Vargas Frenk is NIQ BASES commercial leader for Latin America and has extensive experience in an array of research methods, business verticals and product segments. A social scientist by trade with a master’s degree in social anthropology and an MBA in business intelligence, Julian has also thought in prestigious universities in Brazil. 

     

    Education Session: Film of the Year: Sustainable Snack Packaging Solutions

    Monday, March 20 | 12:15PM

    A panel discussion led by PepsiCo executive Robert Cotton, this session will explore the development and commercialization of sustainable packaging materials for the snack food category.

    Rob is the R&D Director for Foods Packaging Materials and Standards at PepsiCo. He leads a global team that is accountable for qualifying and specifying packaging materials for all Foods structures.  Rob joined PepsiCo in 2009 after spending 18 years at The Dow Chemical Company in technical service and development for Plastics.

    Rob’s responsibilities include  material selection and film development for PepsiCo flexible packaging in addition to ensuring the packaging materials meet PepsiCo’s Global Snacks Group standards for quality and  performance and sustainability.

    SNAC Bites: The Future of In-Store Insights – Real-time, Actionable, and On-demand

    Monday, March 20 | 1:15PM

    Premise Chief Customer Officer, Kim Bruce, and Solutions Consultant, Marc Ajel, will share insights on solutions to improve display executions and formulate more effective approaches. In this session, you’ll unlock successful executions and benefit from crowdsourced shopper insights. The insights provided by real shoppers will allow you to make better, informed decisions that could lead to higher levels of success for your business.

    Kim Bruce is the Chief Customer Officer at Premise. She brings more than 25 years of sales and executive management experience to Premise, growing and scaling sales teams. Kim is a 2x Kona Ironman Finisher who brings the discipline and focus to her leadership style. Previously, she ran a Global Enterprise Account Executive team managing and selling to Fortune 500 Companies and Organizations to help eliminate brand, security, and compliance risks that stand in the way of their social media success. Kim serves as an Honor Board Advisor to the Gamma Chapter at the University of California Berkeley. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Davis in Organizational Studies with a minor in Rhetoric and Communication.

    As a Solutions Consultant at Premise focused on the Commercial sector, Marc Ajel brings over 10 years of CPG market research experience, specializing in Beverage/Alcohol. He comes to Premise from IRI, where he spent nearly 4 years as a Client Insights Consultant for a major US beer/wine/spirits supplier with an emphasis on Innovation and Emerging Opportunities. Marc recharges his batteries with healthy doses of friends, family, tennis, travel and of course good food and drink.

     

    Co-Packing, Grow Snacking: Keys to Successful Co-Manufacturing

    Monday, March 20 | 2:00PM

    A panel of co-manufacturers, product development specialists, operations experts, and a startup founder discuss how to find the right manufacturing partner and build the relationship to succeed together.

    Moderator: 

    Monica Watrous, Managing Editor, Food Entrepreneur
    Monica Watrous is managing editor of Food Business News and Food Entrepreneur. When she is not writing about food trends or interviewing startup founders, she enjoys running marathons, rescuing dogs and raising money for blood cancer research. Monica has a magazine journalism degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

    Panelists: 

    Pete Brennan, VP, Innovation, Mattson
    As Vice President of Innovation at Mattson, Pete is responsible for identifying client opportunities and leading the discovery of insights, development of innovation strategies and product concepts, positioning, all the way through to commercialization. Pete has deep experience across food & beverage CPG channels, categories, & companies.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT PETE

    Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Catapult Commercialization Services

    Chuck Woods, Senior Director – Commercial, MSI Express Inc.
    Successful results driven executive with a proven track record of achievement in business development, strategy, product line and financial management. A strong analytical and trusted team player who adds value through a dynamic diverse skill set demonstrating success in a variety of roles. Have a strong commercial awareness and the ability to successfully develop new business opportunities and commercialize growth strategies. Demonstrated leadership success in large and small sized companies with the ability to effectively operate in a fast-paced, challenging dynamic environment.

    SnackPAC Reception Keynote Speaker Stephanie Murphy

    Monday, March 20 | 5:30 – 6:30PM

    The SnackPAC Reception with Stephanie Murphy will take place on site at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center during SNAXPO.  Contributions will also be accepted on-site at the SNAC International booth as well as prior to the reception on Monday evening. This exciting event benefits SnackPAC activities and is the first fundraiser of the year for this important industry advocacy resource.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE

    Keynote: A Fireside Chat with Howard Friedman

    Tuesday, March 21 | 8:00 – 9:00AM

    Presented by Howard Friedman, CEO, Utz Brands

    Mr. Friedman brings more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage sector leading some of America’s most iconic brands, including UTZ Brands, PEBBLES™ cereal, LUNCHABLES™ snacks, PHILADELPHIA™ cream cheese, KOOL-AID™ drinks, and KRAFT™ foods. Throughout the course of his career, Mr. Friedman has built a proven track record of profitably growing businesses through world-class marketing, strategy, and innovation. Additionally, he has deep experience in new business integration, commercial execution, and value creation.

    Keynote: The Art of the Intangible with Shane Battier

    Tuesday, March 21 | 9:00 – 10:00AM

    Shane Battier is a two-time NBA Champion and Former Vice President, Analytics and Basketball Development, Miami Heat

    He can’t jump very high. He’s not very fast. In fact, he fails the ‘eyeball’ test in nearly every basketball category. And yet, Shane Battier has proved to be invaluable to every team he has ever suited up for. In this impassioned and inspiring presentation, Battier shares with audiences the ways in which he believes sacrifice, ownership, embracing failure, championship professionalism, and a Hunger Games mentality contribute to the powerful and significant intersection ofart and commerce. A genuine team player, he knows that champions are often made when no one is looking and encourages audience members to always do what it takes for the team to succeed—whether their efforts receive recognition or not. Stats don’t always tell the story of value, and Battier is living proof. 

    LEARN MORE ABOUT SHANE

    How PepsiCo is Creating a Better Food System through PepsiCo Positive

    Tuesday, March 21 | 10:30AM

    Rachael Lawrence, Senior Director Sustainability for Pepsico Foods North America

    Rachael Lawrence is a Senior Director on our PFNA sustainability team. Rachael has been with PepsiCo for 15 years with a focus on marketing our most beloved snacks brands and driving commercial success. 

    Rachael has had various Marketing roles in Sustainable Marketing, Cheetos, Sports, Rold Gold,  Fritos, Shopper Marketing, Innovation and Stacy’s.  Most notably, she led the execution of an evergreen program called Cheetos Museum that garnered the brand 1.5B earned impressions, 10% growth, 130M+ submissions, and Gold Cannes Lions. She also led the negotiation for a best in class renewal agreement with the Dallas Cowboys and The Star, which resulted in better/more actionable assets for sales, ownable space for Tostitos and Pepsi brands, and platform for activation across our largest sports partnership.

    Rachael now looks after PFNA Sustainability, where she is working to provide the strategic leadership and oversight required to scale sustainable packaging to meet our PEP + goals.

    How Packaging and Food Handling Operations are Increasing Capacity and Reducing Costs with the “Robotics-as-a-Service” Automation Model

    Tuesday, March 21 | 11:30AM

    Bryan McClelland, Director of Sales, AMER Southeast region for Formic

    Bryan McClelland, P.E. is a Sales Director at Formic, helping manufacturers use automation to improve productivity, quality and safety, while reducing dependence upon labor.  Prior to joining Formic, Bryan has held various positions in engineering, material science, and manufacturing.  Bryan has a bachelor’s degree in material science engineering from Michigan Technological University and his JD from Michigan State University.

    In the Weeds: Legal and Technical State of Cannabis for Food

    Tuesday, March 21 | 12:15PM

    Presented by Steven Schain, Senior Counsel, Smart-Counsel, LLC

    2019 National Law Journal “Finance, Banking, & Capital Markets Trailblazer” award winner, Senior Counsel Steve Schain runs 100% woman owned, national cannabis law firm Smart-Counsel, LLC’s PA and NJ practices and Chair its Financial Services Group.  Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Steve represents entities, governments and individuals in litigation, regulation, compliance, preparing and submitting license applications, entity formation, and drafting legislation.  A nationally recognized consumer finance litigation, banking law and cannabis law expert, Steve is a The Legal Intelligencer, New Jersey Law Journal, and Cannabis Business Executive columnist, frequent Pennsylvania Bar Institute and National Bar Institute author and lecturer and serves as a court appointed judge pro tempore and arbitrator.  Steve is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of, and teaches “Cannabis Law” at, Stockton University, one of only 5 universities offering a minor in Cannabis Studies. Steve serves on, and makes regular presentations to, National Cannabis Industry Association, International Cannabis Bar Association, Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Group, Cannabis Professional Advancement Series, and Marijuana Business Daily.  Steve also serves on both Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia County administrative committees charged with drafting and revising state and local cannabis related regulations.  Steve earned his B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University and his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review and graduated with honors. 

    Snack Trends: If Snack Seasonings were Social Media Platforms & What’s the Next Flavor

    Tuesday, March 21 | 1:15PM

    Presented by Mandy Sakar, Senior Customer Marketing Manager, MANE, Inc.

    A science nerd and foodie at heart, Mandy Sakar brings nearly 20 years of account management, business development and strategic marketing in the specialty chemicals market, specializing in encapsulation technologies. Mandy earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Toledo and an MBA from The Ohio State University.  In her role as Senior Customer Marketing Manager, Mandy monitors trends regionally/globally using MANE’s Trend Capture® platform and her knowledge of MANE’s expertise in flavor delivery system technologies across food, sweet goods and snacks categories.

    Education Session: Regulatory Crunch: Policy Update for Snack Foods

    Tuesday, March 21 | 2:00PM

    Presented by Martin Hahn, SNAC International general counsel, Hogan Lovells partner

    Using his background in food technology and his comprehensive understanding of the laws governing the food industry, Martin Hahn helps clients navigate through the countless regulatory and business issues impacting the industry from farm to table.

    He recognizes the demands clients face and finds innovative and creative solutions, particularly when responding to observations raised by regulators during inspections. Whether the issue involves obtaining the authorization of a new food or dietary ingredient, complying with manufacturing requirements, labeling or advertising, product recalls, or enforcement, Martin serves as an effective advisor and advocate.