Operator Agenda
Taste new products. Meet chefs, suppliers, and peers. Learn from industry leaders. At Innovations, you can do all that and more! Enjoy two exciting days of our trade show in Houston before returning home Friday, April 24.
Wednesday, April 22
7 a.m.–7 p.m. Registration, George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Taste of Houston Lunch, George R. Brown Convention Center, McKinney Balcony (Level 2)
2:30–4 p.m. Operator Insights, George R. Brown Convention Center, General Assembly
4–6:30 p.m. Trend Explorer, George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall B3
6:30-9:30 p.m. Welcome Street Party, Front of George R. Brown Convention Center
Thursday, April 23
6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Registration, George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3
7–8:45 a.m. Operator Breakfast, Marriott Marquis, Altitude Pool Deck
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
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.
Operator Insights
Wednesday, 2:30-4 p.m.
Whet your appetite before our Trend Explorer tasting event! Join your peers for special sessions tailored to your interests. Experts will provide background on our Trend Explorer themes and other industry insights to set you up for exploring products and flavors to meet current consumer preferences.
Trending Forces Driving Menu Innovation
Cathy Nash Holley, Flavor & The Menu Editor-in-Chief
Jet Tila, Celebrity Chef
In this forward-looking session, Cathy and Jet will unpack macro signals shaping today’s menu innovation, from global culinary influences and fast-moving beverage platforms to textural evolution and social-first formats. Examine the underlying forces driving consumer excitement and translate them into concepts that resonate and scale.
Yes, And: Operating in the Age of Contradiction
Megan Lynberg, Datassential Sr. VP of Client Strategy
Today’s guests are a bundle of contradictions. They’re taking GLP‑1 medications while ordering over‑the‑top desserts, trading down on everyday value while splurging on premium moments, and eating more meat as prices climb. Cut through the chaos and identify the strategies that will yield the highest impact.
Hotels & Travel
Get special rates at nearby hotels, view event shuttle information, and more.
Attendee Types
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