Join leaders from every segment of the snack value chain – producers, marketers, suppliers and thought leaders – for 2.5 days of networking, collaboration and strategic insights to navigate today’s complex business landscape, while enjoying the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The Forum allows executives to sharpen their business strategy as well as to step back from the daily grind and build relationships through networking activities, with an agenda that creates a business-first approach while maintaining the connection opportunities that make the event unique.
Forum Sessions
The Economy Heading Into 2025
Sought-after economist and speaker Chris Thornberg, PhD, will offer an overview of the macro-economy and trends that drive the business cycle and consumer behavior. Look past the politics and into the data to understand what’s in store for our industry and consumers in 2025.
CHRISTOPHER THORNBERG, PhD
Chris is a renowned economist with a doctorate in business economics from UCLA. Known for exact economic forecasts, Chris predicted the 2007 subprime mortgage crash, the following global recession, and the rapid recovery from the 2020 COVID-19 shock. In 2007, he founded Beacon Economics, an independent research and consulting firm focused on providing objective economic analysis and data. His data-driven approach and commitment to objective analysis have proven him a trusted voice in economic policy, often emphasizing the importance of evidence-based conclusions over popular political narratives. Whether addressing business leaders or advising public agencies, Chris upholds the principle of unbiased economic examination.
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Tapping the Power of Generative AI at Work
Whether you’re a novice or expert, there’s more to ChatGPT than you think. Conor Grennan, the Chief AI Architect at the NYU Stern School of Business, unlocks the secrets to increased productivity and better outputs using generative Al. This interactive, hands-on session will introduce the capabilities (and limitations) of ChatGPT, a unique framework that will change how you and your team use Al, and help you stay ahead of the competition, no matter your role.
CONOR GRENNAN Chief AI Architect, NYU Stern School of Business and Head of GenerativeAI@Stern
Conor is the creator of the AI Mindset Training Framework for generative AI. Conor is also Chief AI Architect, NYU Stern School of Business and Head of GenerativeAI@Stern, training MBAs, faculty and administration on practical generative AI.
He has worked with teams across industry, including at OpenAI, McKinsey, NASA, PWC, ServiceNow, NYU Langone, Providence Health, Citadel, Sycamore Partners, Wellington Management, American Securities, WelshCarson Private Equity, the US Dept of Treasury, and more.
Conor is the Head Generative AI Trainer for the Chief Executive Group and LinkedIn Instructor for AI for Leaders. He has keynoted on generative AI at the Generative AI World, Generative AI Week, PWC’s Trust Leadership Academy, MetTel’s Innovation Conference, Correlation One’s CHRO Insights event, the Franchise CEO Summit, the Chief Executive Annual Summit, and other large-scale events. Conor is also a NY Times and #1 international bestselling author, published in 15 languages. He is a keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and executive coach. His AI insights have been featured in Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Vox and other media.
Nutrition, Science, and the Health of the Consumer
Moderated by food policy expert Maggie Gentile, this panel discussion of scientific and medical professionals will cover the leading topics in health and nutrition impacting the food industry, including GLP-1 drugs and their role in the American diet in the years ahead.
MAGGIE S. GENTILE, MS, RD, LD
Food Directions
Maggie Gentile is a Partner and the Vice President of Food and Nutrition Policy at Food Directions LLC. Gentile joined Food Directions in 2011 and in her current role she manages day to day client needs, executes client projects, participates in food industry coalitions, and monitors all activities in the food space. She previously has worked in public relations for Edelman and GolinHarris as well as for the National Restaurant Association where she maintained issue expertise for their Food and Healthy Living program and communicated the association’s position on emerging nutrition public policy issues to key stakeholders. Gentile earned a registered dietitian credential and master’s from Loyola University in Chicago and an undergraduate degree in Dietetics from Miami University. Gentile lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC with her husband and three daughters.
RICHARD D. MATTES, MPH, PhD, RD
Purdue University
Dr. Mattes is a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Affiliated Scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. His research focuses on the areas of taste function, hunger and satiety, food preferences, regulation of food intake in humans and human cephalic phase responses. At Purdue, Dr. Mattes is the Head of the Ingestive Behavior Research Center. He is a former president of the American Society for Nutrition and was a member of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Dr. Mattes earned an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan as well as a doctorate degree in Human Nutrition from Cornell University. He conducted post-doctoral studies at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Monell Chemical Senses Center.
SIDDHARTHA ANGADI, PhD, FACSM
University of Virginia
Dr. Siddhartha (Sid) Angadi is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia and a physiologist who examines the cardiovascular effects and interactions of exercise, drugs, and diet in health and disease. His ongoing clinical trials are primarily focused on their interplay in conditions such as heart failure as well as the effects of exercise on mitigating the cardiotoxic effects of treatments for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Dr. Angadi has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters, has more than 60 conference presentations, and his research has been featured in prominent lay publications such as The New York Times, Science, and Time.
The State of Snacking
Data-driven overview on the state of the snack category at retail. What’s up, what’s down, and what the industry needs to do to drive growth.
2024 Election
As we gather just three weeks before the 2024 election, hear from an expert about the state of the race and what it means for business in 2025 and beyond.
Profile of Snack Leadership
Hear directly from a senior leader of a major snacking company on their view of the category, plans for the future, and their personal path to the executive suite.
Sustainability and EPR
Update on the “extended producer responsibility” movement in state legislatures and what the industry needs to be prepared as consumer demand for sustainability takes shape in public policy.
Schedule at a Glance
The Forum has shifted to take place from Monday to Wednesday, which means you can now travel without having to worry about interrupting your weekend plans. This change represents a departure from the previous schedule, which spanned from Sunday to Tuesday.
Monday, October 14
- 9:00am – 12:00pm: SNAC Board Meetings
- 12:00 – 5:00pm: Optional Recreation
- 6:30 – 9:30pm: Opening Reception and Dinner
Tuesday, October 15
- 9:00am – 5:00pm: Education Sessions
- 6:15pm: Open Evening and Dine Around
Wednesday, October 16
- 9:00am – 12:00pm: Education Sessions
- 1:00 – 6:00pm: Optional Recreation
- 6:30pm: Closing Reception and Dinner
ELF 2023 Recap: 47th Executive Leadership Forum Held In Colorado Springs, CO Exceeds Expectations
Over 130 snack industry executives and guests gathered this week at the Broadmoor for 2.5 days of education and collaboration. The event featured business leaders and experts discussing topics like sustainability, snack trends, global economic issues, leading with purpose and more.
The Forum drew 43% more female attendees than in 2022, part of SNAC’s WinS (Women in Snacks) initiative to open the pipeline for female advancement in the snack industry. SNAC’s Rising Stars program brought 7 emerging leaders nominated by their company to Colorado, and 30 first time attendees overall.
Thank you Generous Sponsors for making the Executive Leadership Forum possible.
Presentations are now available to watch and download, as well as session summaries and photos below.
