SCHEDULE

Schedule is subject to change

Monday, May 5th
12 pmGolf Tournament 
Tee off from one of the most picturesque golf courses in St. Petersburg, Florida, and nearby Clearwater Beach. Vinoy Golf Club was designed by famed architect Ron Garl and the course is sure to delight golfers of all skill levels.
Additional fee includes: golf range, cart fees, scoring and boxed lunch.
5:30 pm – 6:00 pmFirst-Timers/New Members/FEMA FLI Event (Invitation only)
If you are new to FEMA, attending the ALC for the first time, or a FEMA FLI member, join this reception to meet key association leaders and mingle with other flavor professionals new to the ALC and FEMA community. Includes an open bar.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pmWelcome Reception
Kick off your time in St. Petersburg by reconnecting with colleagues and meeting new industry professionals as you enjoy hors-d’oeuvres and an open bar at this indoor/outdoor reception.

Tuesday, May 6th
7:00 am – 10:00 amProfessional Headshot booth (schedule a time slot at the FEMA registration desk)
8:00 amBreakfast
8:30 am – 9:30 amThe Current State of the U.S. Consumer and the U.S. Economy
Leo Feler, Chief Economist, Numerator
What is the future of the U.S. economy? The U.S. consumer has been remarkably resilient, and all else equal, the economy would likely grow at normal rates of 2% and inflation would return to about 2%. But all else is not equal. Major changes in government policy — immigration, regulation, and taxes and benefits — have the potential to shock the economy. Innovations like AI and GLP-1 medications are already affecting the economy. In this session, using a mix of publicly available data and proprietary panel data on 150,000 representative U.S. households, we will discuss scenarios for the U.S. economy and how to navigate what promises to be a turbulent and transformative period for U.S. consumers.
9:30 am – 9:45 amNetworking Break
9:45 am – 10:45 amTrade Policy Under the Second Trump Administration
Shawn Marie Jarosz, Founder & Chief Trade Strategist, TradeMoves LLC
Take a deep dive into U.S. trade policy in an insight-packed session led by the Founder and Chief Stategist of TradeMoves, Shawn Marie Jarosz. Shawn’s tenure in international trade and global value chains spans more than 25 years, equipping her with the expertise to provide insight into the second Trump Administration’s trade policy and priorities and potential impact on the industry and cross-border supply chains. This session will arm you with the tools and knowledge to take action to help mitigate any increased tariff costs on the cross-border movement of goods.
10:45 am – 11:30 amInnovations in Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Panel
Matt Bambrick, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, DöhlerGroup (Moderator)
Heather Daines, Senior Director Global Product and Sensory Research and Development, Beam Suntory
John Fishel, Vice President, Beverage and Health Business Unit, North American Flavor Solutions, McCormick & Company
Ari Gastman, Principal Flavorist, dsm-firmenich
Consumer interest in innovative beverages continues to soar. Across generations, spirits lovers are rethinking their options, looking for premium experiences and new flavors, and experimenting in the market with lower and non-alcoholic options. These trends present opportunities for companies to connect their brands with the next generation of consumers. This session explores the flavor trends and innovations driving this next wave of beverage consumption. Join us as we discuss creative ways the industry is meeting the demand for unique and flavorful drinks.
11:30 am – 12:00 pmPresident’s Address
12:00 pm – 1:00 pmAwards Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:15 pmNetworking Break
1:15 pm – 1:45 pmAnnual Meeting - members only
1:45 pm – 2:30 pmLegislative/Regulatory Update - members only
Tony Pavel, General Counsel, FEMA
Christie Harman, Scientific Director, FEMA
Sarah Codrea, Director of Government Relations, FEMA
Hear insights from FEMA staff including Sarah Codrea, Christie Harman, and FEMA’s General Counsel, Tony Pavel on MAHA, potential impacts on the flavor industry, and FEMA’s advocacy activities in this member-only session.
2:30 pm – 2:45 pmNetworking Break
2:45 pm – 3:30 pmUnderstanding Consumer Trends
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, International Food Information Council (IFIC)
This session will examine evolving consumer preferences, including the growing interest in health-conscious choices, the enduring appeal of nostalgic flavors, and the rising demand for innovative and sustainable solutions. This talk will provide a forward-looking perspective to help flavor industry leaders navigate the dynamic landscape of evolving tastes.
3:30 pmEnd of Day’s Sessions
2:30 pm – 5:30 pmProfessional Headshot booth open (schedule a time slot at the FEMA registration desk)
6:00 pm – 9:00 pmCitrus Sunshine Dinner Social
Enjoy a Floridian evening in a charming garden setting with live entertainment and networking fun. This outdoor reception includes a buffet dinner and an open bar. Suggested attire: Resort casual

Wednesday, May 7th
7:00 am – 10:00 amProfessional Headshot booth open (schedule a time slot at the FEMA registration desk)
8:30 am – 9:00 amBreakfast
9:00 am – 10:00 amKeynote Session – Accelerate Your Impact as a Leader
Dan Coughlin, Founder, The Coughlin Company, Inc.
Leadership is the ability to influence how other people think in order for them to make decisions that sustainably improve results. Leadership is a skill that can be mastered over time. In this keynote interactive presentation, Dan will provide a variety of practical leadership tools that you can use right away when you return to your organization, including addressing the three great leadership challenges: you need wisdom, you need to deliver it effectively, and you need people to trust you.
10:00 am – 10:30 amNetworking Break
10:30 am – 11:30 amChemicals in Our Food – Separating Sense from Nonsense
Joe Schwarcz, Ph.D., CM, Director of Office for Science and Society, McGill University
Every day we are buffeted about by a tsunami of information and misinformation about our food supply. Often synthetic additives are portrayed as villains while natural substances are heroes. The fact is that the relationship between food and health is very complicated, and it takes careful scientific scrutiny to separate the wheat from the chaff.
11:30 amADJOURN