LITTLE ROCK, AR – The U.S. rice industry will be gathering here in just eight weeks for what is expected to be the biggest USA Rice Outlook Conference in a decade with a massive exhibit hall, networking opportunities, and educational programming for all segments of the industry.
In August we wrote about some grower-specific programming (see
USA Rice Daily, August 23, 2024) but we have more planned for marketers looking to navigate retail and consumer trends with a popular returning session and two all new ones.
For the fifth year, USA Rice Vice President of Domestic Promotion Cameron Jacobs will break down the latest research into consumer use, perception, and emotional associations with rice in his preview of the USA Rice-Hartman Rice Eating Occasions Report – a not to be missed session to help you get inside the minds of consumers of all ages.
Additional sessions will peel the onion of retail success back even further in “Retail Revolutions” and “How AI is Shaping the World of Consumer Food Choices.”
In Retail Revolutions, Eric Martindale, CEO of Elite Marketing Group and a recognized leading voice in e-commerce, will share the stunning direction supermarkets are headed in, how consumers will interact with stores of the future, and how center of store staples like rice can position themselves to benefit. From smart carts that know shoppers to digital shelves, touchless checkout, and driverless delivery, tomorrow’s supermarket is as far from the old general store as could be, and Martindale will be your guide.
In AI and Consumer Food Choices, Andreas Duess, co-founder of 6Seeds, will explain how food companies can use AI and machine learning to sift through and analyze the massive amounts of consumer data generated every day to predict future consumer trends in the food industry. Duess says consumer choices are shaped by health concerns, cultural trends, and even subconscious biases. AI helps decode these complexities, unveiling hidden patterns in consumer behavior. This deep understanding allows the user to uncover new market segments and position products to resonate with evolving consumer values.
The 2024 USA Rice Outlook Conference will be held December 8-10 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Registration is open and rates increase next week and again on site – so reserve your spot today to secure your company’s foothold on the future.