2026 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference

Chris Costagli
VP Thought Leadership Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages Insight Lead
NIQ

Private Label is no longer just the budget-friendly alternative—it’s a category thriving at the intersection of economic pressure and elevated consumer expectations. Amid inflation, high prices, and persistent financial uncertainty, Private Label is experiencing a perfect storm of opportunity. But this surge isn’t accidental. Years of strategic innovation have transformed Private Label into a force that’s not only affordable but increasingly desirable. From bold flavor experimentation and functional benefits to premium tiering and elevated packaging, Private Label is taking risks—and winning shopper loyalty. As consumers seek savings, they’re discovering that Private Label delivers more than value: it delivers excitement, trust, and relevance. This session will explore how Private Label’s evolution is reshaping the retail landscape and what manufacturers must do to stay ahead.

Joe Puglia
Principal
Plante Moran, PLLC

Through the results of a survey conducted in January-February 2026 of Private Label manufacturers, we will explore the current state of relationships between manufacturers and key clients. Topics assess transparency, cost recovery, communication, and operational efficiency, how each influences overall commercial relationship health, and the comparison between clients. The survey aims to assess the impact of retailer practices on manufacturers, including financial pressures, compliance with ethical standards, and supply chain complexities, providing actionable insights for manufacturers and clients alike to improve relationship strength and bottom-line impact.

René Linsner
Partner/CEO
Horvath USA

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

David Mayer
Senior Partner
Lippincott

Private Label remains one of the most effective tools for a retailer to win share of wallet and do so at a higher margin. In-part, because Brand relative to price contributes from 50-80% of the purchase decision depending on the category. We will share the shopper psychology behind brand choice and provide practical guidance for how to design and execute a stronger portfolio, including: The optimal number of brands in the portfolio; Role of the Banner brand; Positioning and naming of each brand; The power of good package design; Product innovation as a demonstration of the brand promise.

Jean Ryan
VP Strategic Advisory
Daymon

Understanding how different consumers, trends, tiers, and other characteristics should influence private brand innovation and product development. While private brands are often discussed as a monolith, strategies are diverging as retailer programs, consumer expectations, and marketplace competition continue to become more nuanced. By breaking private brands down into more detailed specifics, such as consumer targets, product trends, or quality tiers, we can better understand growth drivers and focus areas to influence innovation strategies and product development roadmaps.

Doug Baker
Vice President of Industry Relations
FMI (The Food Industry Association)

Parag Shah
Co-Founder and Partner
Think Blue

A digital marketing leader on social commerce, influencers, or retail media networks.

Julien Leblanc
President and Co-Founder
blueprint N.A.

Chris Gardier
President
Catalyst Consultants

What truly sets you apart? In this interactive workshop, we’ll dive deep into the core questions that define your unique value in today’s competitive landscape:
•    Why should anyone choose to do business with you?
•    How well do you understand the needs and goals of your current and future partners?
•    Are you making it easy for others to say “yes” to your ideas and solutions?
Through a series of engaging exercises, real-world examples, and collaborative discussions, you’ll uncover fresh insights and practical strategies to strengthen your value proposition and communicate it with clarity and impact.

Cyndi Loza
Senior Editor
Path 2 Purchase Institute

Retail Media has moved from an emerging concept to a foundational pillar of CPG marketing, with retailers rapidly building out their media networks. This will be a comprehensive overview of the current retail media landscape including a brief history of retail media networks, the current state of retail media and existing challenges & opportunities.

Sara Williamson, Ph.D.
Faculty
SUNY College at Old Westbury

Consumer expectations of private label and store brands are evolving beyond functional needs and price to encompass emotional dimensions that foster a deeper connection. This session draws on insights from consumer psychology to explore how shoppers form emotional connections with store brands and how brand managers can strengthen those bonds. Attendees will gain fresh insights and practical, evidence-based guidance to elevate brand meaning, strengthen brand loyalty, and motivate brand advocacy. In addition, the session will introduce some key generational distinctions and societal shifts that pose unique opportunities for store brand strategy.

Sally Lyons Wyatt
Global EVP & Chief Advisor, Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights
Circana

Retailers are doubling down on private labels as a strategic asset for differentiation, brand building and creating emotional bonds with shoppers. Through innovation, pricing and promotion excellence at their grassroots. This presentation provides a global perspective on the surge of private labels as private brands category transformers and formidable brand competition.