2026 Executive Summit

Monday, March 2

6:30 – 9 p.m.         
Opening Reception & Dinner

Tuesday, March 3

8:30 a.m. 
Welcome Remarks

8:45 a.m 
The Economic Outlook as 2030 Looms – Speaker: Connor Lokar, ITR Economics

9:30 a.m.
Global Risk and What it Means for Business – Speaker: Jonathan Wood, Control Risks             

10:15 a.m.                      
Break

10:30 a.m.                      
Understanding Society, Markets & People to Help the Work Make Better Decisions – Speaker:  Matt Carmichael, Ipsos

11:15 a.m.                      
Adapting to a Globalized World –  Speaker:  Dr. Sam Potolicchio

Noon                                
Panel Discussion:  What Does the Economic & Geopolitical Future Look Like – Speakers:  Connor Lokar, Jonathan Wood, Matt Carmichael, Dr. Sam Potolicchio

1 p.m.                              
Lunch – Speaker, Professor Kate Crawford, USC and senior researcher at Microsoft Research New York

2:30 p.m.                        
Annual Business Meeting (Priority Point Earning Opportunity!)

6:30 p.m.                        
A Taste of New Orleans  – Sponsor:  New Orleans & Company

Wednesday, March 4

7:30 a.m.     
Breakfast

8:15 a.m.                        
Opening Remarks

8:30 a.m. 
Industry Trends – Speaker:  Joe Carbonara, Zoomba Group

9:00 a.m.    
Foodservice Gut Check:  What Consumers Want from Foodservice and the Impact on Equipment & Supplies Manufacturers Speaker:  Mike Kostyo, Menu Matters

10:15 a.m.
Break

10:30 a.m.
What’s Trending in Operations – Panelists:  Julie Meddles, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Sharon Eliatamby, World Bank Group, Adam Jarboe, Chick-Fil-A

Noon
Lunch – Speaker:  Ti Martin, Commander’s Palace

1:30 p.m.
What Challenges can the Channel Anticipate?

2:45 p.m.
The Bright Future Ahead

6:30 p.m.
Closing Dinner – Keynoter:  José Andrés, chef, restaurateur, humanitarian

10 p.m.
Conference Closes

Thursday, March 5        

7:30 – 9 a.m.
Breakfast available