WASHINGTON, D.C. The Monday Morning Business Session on April 22 during the annual ABA Convention in Aventura, Florida, will begin with a unique panel of experts analyzing key trends in the baking industry. The panel, moderated by David Orgel, Editor-in-Chief of Supermarket News, will focus on current buying, retail and consumer trends in the baking industry. Each panelist will present a “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats” (SWOT) analysis on the baking category from their various perspectives. Following this panel of baking market influencers will be a retail customer panel that will observe the SWOT analysis and offer ideas and strategies on how the industry can partner together to grow the category. The influencer panelists include:
Todd Hale – Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights – Nielsen
A frequently sought-after industry and client speaker, Todd shares his insights on consumer shopping, buying and media consumption behaviors and attitudes to provide manufacturers and retailers with strategic visions to facilitate brand, category and retail sales growth. Hale is often quoted in the press and in numerous trade publications on consumer trends.
Todd has more than 33 years of experience in the consumer research industry, including 27 years with The Nielsen Company, where he held various marketing and sales management positions within advertising/product testing, advanced analytics and consumer panel practice areas.
Steve French – Managing Partner – Natural Marketing Institute (NMI)
For the past 14 years at NMI, Mr. French works with many global Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, start-up companies, associations, and various organizations across a wide range of industries. He has pioneered a range of NMI consumer research databases. These proprietary NMI tools analyze consumer attitudes, behavior, product usage patterns, psychographics, and demographics within the health, wellness, and environmental sustainability marketplace. Mr. French is also a frequent author of research reports, articles, and a contributor to numerous domestic and international consumer media, including Fox TV, NBC News, Time Magazine, The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Korea Times, Forbes, and many others. As a recognized industry expert, Mr. French’s expertise is also utilized on a regular basis by many trade publications such as Brandweek, Progressive Grocer, Greenbiz, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News and over 30 business journals, among others.
Lynn Dornblaser – Director of Consulting, Mintel Custom Solutions – Mintel International
Dornblaser is responsible for providing trend analysis and new product expert knowledge to clients. She regularly leads product ideation meetings for a variety of consumer packaged goods companies. Dornblaser was also fundamental to the development and growth of Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD), a database that internationally tracks new product introductions. She is a well-noted senior analyst in the consumer research industry. Dornblaser provides commentary regularly for major news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and CNN. She has also been featured in several key trade publications, including Prepared Foods. In addition, Dornblaser has also served as keynote lecturer and speaker for numerous industry groups and sales forums.
Frances Largeman-Roth – Registered Dietician, best-selling author and nationally recognized health expert
Frances was the Food and Nutrition Director at Health magazine for nearly eight years. Prior to that, she was part of the editorial team at the Discovery Health Channel, and also held the post of managing editor at FoodFit.com. Frances is a frequent guest on national TV, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The Talk, CNN, The Rachael Ray Show, and The Dr. Oz Show. She has also lent her expertise as a judge for Food Network Challenge and The James Beard Awards. Frances is the author of Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom's Healthy Eating Guide (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2009) and co-author of the bestselling The CarbLovers Diet (Oxmoor House, 2010) and The CarbLovers Diet Cookbook. She was the team dietitian for Sanjay Gupta’s 2011 CNN Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge. Frances is a contributor and TV spokesperson for Cooking Light magazine.
The 2013 ABA Convention is the premier industry event of the year. This year’s theme of “Staying Ahead of the Curve, When You Don’t Know What’s Around the Bend” is a nod to the constantly changing trends, shifting consumer tastes, new technology, government regulations and the almost impossible task of staying current and competitive in today’s marketplace. The ABA Convention brings together the top leaders from America’s baking businesses and their suppliers for networking, idea exchange, and working sessions. Registration information can be found at www.americanbakers.org.
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a million highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association