Exhibitor Agenda
Get ready for all the action at Innovations! Make new connections and share your products over two days in Houston before returning home Friday, April 24. After you purchase a package to exhibit, everyone attending from your company will need to complete attendee registration.
Tuesday, April 21
8 a.m.–6 p.m. Registration, George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3
8 a.m.–6 p.m. Exhibitor Setup, George R. Brown Convention Center, Halls A3-B3
Evening at leisure
Wednesday, April 22
7 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Exhibitor Setup, George R. Brown Convention Center, Halls A3-B3
7 a.m.–7 p.m. Registration, George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3
10:30–11:30 a.m. Get to Know Dot Session, George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballroom B
12:30–2 p.m. Dot Sales Manager Lunch, Marriott Marquis, Scot Cotton Room
Participating exhibitors only.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Optional Sessions, George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballrooms A&B/Marriott Marquis
4–6:30 p.m. Trend Explorer, George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall B3
Participating exhibitors only.
6:30–9:30 p.m. Welcome Street Party, Front of George R. Brown Convention Center
Thursday, April 23
6:30–10:15 a.m. Exhibitor Setup, George R. Brown Convention Center, Halls A3-B3
6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Registration, George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3
6:45–8:45 a.m. Breakfast, George R. Brown Convention Center, Grand Ballroom
9–10:15 a.m. Industry Update, George R. Brown Convention Center, General Assembly
10:15 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Trade Show Floor Open, George R. Brown Convention Center, Halls A3-B3
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Culinary Experience Lunch (menu here), George R. Brown Convention Center, Halls A3-B3
Lunch served by Premium Plus package holders.
1-2 p.m. Trends Deglazed, George R. Brown Convention Center, Show Floor Lounge
5:30–7:30 p.m. Pre-Concert Party, Marriott Marquis, Texas Ballroom
8–9:15 p.m. Concert, 713 Music Hall
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Sessions
No matter what trends or industry insights you’re looking for, we have it at Innovations! Choose your sessions at registration.
Get to Know Dot
Lydia Miller, Dot Foods Sr. VP of Business Development & Replenishment
George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballroom B
10:30-11:30 a.m.
How will you continue to grow your business? And where does Dot fit into your goals? Hear from Dot Foods leadership about best practices of working with Dot and opportunities we have available to optimize your supply chain and drive sales.
Content Connected: Solving the Industry’s Product Content Problem
Kevin Baum, Dot Foods Product Manager
Tim Loyd, Dot Foods Director of Business Solutions
George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballroom A
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Product content drives everything—sales, compliance, traceability, and digital experience. Yet across the food supply chain, content chaos still slows everyone down. Join Dot Foods for a first look at Dot Connect, a platform designed to help distributors and suppliers manage, standardize, and share trusted product content that keeps the industry moving.
Five Forces Reshaping Food & Beverage Preferences
David Portalatin, Circana Sr. VP and Industry Advisor, Food and Foodservice
George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballroom B
3:30-4:30 p.m.
From economic uncertainty to shifting workplace dynamics, American eating habits are being reshaped by powerful forces. Circana, the leading advisor on consumer behavior, will reveal five emerging trends changing food and beverage preferences. Gain insights to meet consumers where they are—physically, emotionally, and financially.
The Funny Side of AI & Innovation
Tom Fishburne, Marketoonist
George R. Brown Convention Center, Ballroom C
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Leaders are racing to adopt new technology, often feeling like they’re chasing a moving target. In this hilarious and insightful session, Marketoonist Tom Fishburne will use his hand-drawn cartoons and sharp storytelling to unpack how organizations can embrace change with curiosity rather than fear. Are you ready to laugh your way to better AI adoption and innovation?
Refine Your Retail Supply Chain with Dot Foods
Ryan Jacobsen, Dot Foods Director of Retail
Marriott Marquis, River Oaks Room
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Did you know retail is one of the fastest growing areas of Dot’s business? Shorter lead times, 99% on-time deliveries, multi-temperature trailers, and no product line minimums result in higher sales and in-stock rates while avoiding costly fines. Discover our capabilities and how we impact all partners, from retailers and wholesalers to brokers and manufacturers.