Watt Global Media

2023 Chicken Marketing Summit schedule of events

Monday, July 31

9-10:30 a.m.

NCC Marketing & Communications Committee meeting
Open to committee members and invited guests

Location: Elderberry Room

10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

Registration

Location: Juniper Ballroom Foyer

12 p.m.

Golf tournament kick-off

Location: Links Golf Course, shuttle leaves from lobby entrance

1-4 p.m.

Check-in at 12:45 p.m.

Optional: Wine pairing and pasta cooking class

Join your colleagues for a unique networking experience at Hotel Effie. During this 3-hour hands-on culinary workshop, an Italian pasta instructor will teach you to make fettuccine and cavatelli. Plus, the dining experience includes a wine paring with each dish, house-made limoncello crafted in collaboration with 30A Distilling Company and house-made Italian dessert.

SOLD OUT

Juniper Ballrooms 4 & 5

6-7:30 p.m. 

Chicken Marketing Summit 2023 opening reception

Location: Magnolia Foyer

Tuesday, August 1

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Registration

Location: Juniper Ballroom Foyer

7:30-8:30 a.m. 

Breakfast

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

8:30-9 a.m. 

Introduction and welcome
Greg Watt, president and CEO, WATT Global Media

Location: Juniper Ballroom

9-10 a.m. 

Keynote: Will it stick: Are today’s trends tomorrow’s opportunities or concerns?
Kevin Ryan, founder/CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research

Every day we are confronted with a new “category changing” trend that shakes the chicken industry. But what’s truly here for the long run, and what’s likely to be just a passing fad? Kevin Ryan, founder/CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research, amplifies the weak signals he’s seeing from consumers, retailers and foodservice to separate the must-do from the must-skip.

>> Watch video message from Kevin Ryan

Location: Juniper Ballroom

10-10:30 a.m. 

Morning coffee break

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

10:30-11:15 a.m. 

How chicken demand changes in an inflationary world
Brian Earnest, lead economist, animal protein, CoBank

Historic rates of inflation, labor shortages and the rise of Generation Z will impact consumer behavior in 2023 like never before. The chicken industry also faces shifts in demand for dark meat and competing protein markets globally, as well as a chaotic feed environment for producers. Join Brian Earnest, lead economist, animal protein, CoBank, as he shares thoughts on the macroeconomic trends most likely to affect future demand for chicken and the opportunities that could help keep chicken as the protein at the center of the plate.

>> Watch video message from Brian Earnest

Moderator: Terrence O’Keefe, content director, WATT Global Media

Location: Juniper Ballroom

11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.

Foodservice demand beyond the chicken sandwich wars
David Maloni, foodservice supply chain analyst and president, Datum FS

The chicken sandwich wars dominated conversations about foodservice the last few years, and foodservice chicken offerings are expected to continue to expand in the future. Hear what market drivers, including consumer and margins, will shape foodservice chicken demand for the rest of 2023 and beyond.

Location: Juniper Ballroom

12-1:30 p.m. 

Lunch

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

1:30-2:15 p.m. 

Retail in transition: Capitalizing on future e-commerce opportunities
Mark Strobel, senior research manager, Euromonitor International

The digital revolution has been rewiring retail for years, leading to new business models, commerce ecosystems and channels for reaching and engaging consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition, as e-commerce became the default option for many homebound consumers. The surge in e-commerce is causing a permanent shift in chicken retail, creating both new challenges as well as new opportunities for retailers and consumer brands alike. What key questions do you need to ask when evaluating your e-commerce strategy? One thing is for certain, e-commerce is here to stay.

Moderator: Tom Super, senior vice president of communications, NCC

Location: Juniper Ballroom

2:15-3 p.m. 

HPAI: Why this time is different and what you need to know
John Clifford, DVM, veterinary trade policy advisor, USAPEEC

The current H5N1 strain of (highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is now found in wild birds in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa and has caused record losses of domestic poultry in Europe and North America. The cost of the trade impacts of the HPAI outbreaks can exceed those of actual bird losses. Dr. Clifford will explain how the current distribution of HPAI in wild birds makes this outbreak different from others and will provide updates on how the U.S. and other countries are preparing to balance methods for stamping out the virus in commercial operations while keeping export markets open.

>> Watch video message from Dr. John Clifford

Location: Juniper Ballroom

3-3:30 p.m. 

Afternoon coffee break

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

3:30-4:30 p.m. 

2023 chicken consumer perspective: The cost-conscious consumer

Erkin Peksoz, senior director, client insights, Circana, and Joyce Neth, vice president, director of audience engagement, WATT Global Media

In a world where inflation has a significant impact, consumers are more cost-conscious than ever. This puts chicken in a unique position among proteins in 2023. Chicken is low-price compared to other proteins, widely consumed by households across the globe and considered more sustainable than many other proteins by consumers. Exclusive research, sponsored by Elanco, Evonik and the NCC is presented by Erkin Peksoz, senior director, client insights, Circana, and Joyce Neth, vice president, director of audience engagement, WATT Global Media, will reveal what chicken companies need to keep in mind to best reach the cost-conscious consumer.

Moderator: Terrence O’Keefe, content director, WATT Global Media

Location: Juniper Ballroom

4:30-5 p.m. 

Chicken Marketer of the Year Award
Winner announced and recognized

Moderator: Chad Forster, sales manager, WATT Global Media

Bill Roenigk Chicken Marketing Summit Golf Tournament 2023 
Golf Awards announced and winners recognized

Moderator: Jeff Miller, director of global agribusiness sales, WATT Global Media

Location: Juniper Ballroom

5-6:30 p.m. 

Networking reception

Location: Magnolia Foyer

Wednesday, August 2

7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Registration

Location: Juniper Ballroom Foyer

7:30-8:30 a.m. 

Breakfast

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

8:30-9:15 a.m.

What’s next for meat alternatives?
JP Frossard, VP, consumer foods analyst, Rabobank

New plant-based meat alternative products have reached shelves over recent years, and cultivated meat just received the first steps to regulatory approval in the U.S. During this session, JP Frossard, vice president, consumer foods analyst at Rabobank, will focus on the current state of the alternative protein market and share projections about the challenges and opportunities in this segment.

Moderator: Tom Super, senior vice president of communications, NCC

Location: Juniper Ballroom

9:15-10 a.m.

Communicating about net zero and sustainability goals
Corey Chafin, partner, consumer and retail, and Erika Stewart, consultant, consumer and retail, Kearney

With consumer concerns about sustainability at an all-time high, a growing number of retail and foodservice providers have made net zero pledges. The drive to design sustainable global food systems impacts how birds are raised, fed, processed and distributed. Marketers are now challenged with finding the best ways to share these improvements. Join Corey Chafin and Erika Stewart with Kearney, for a discussion on climavore consumer and tips for communicating about Net Zero and other sustainability goals.

Location: Juniper Ballroom

10-10:30 a.m.

Morning coffee break

Location: Juniper Ballrooms 3, 4 & 5

10:30-11:15 a.m. 

The sustainability vs. cost dilemma for chicken consumers
Bruce Blakeman, senior consultant and public policy + issues practice leader, Heart+Mind Strategies

Sustainability – from animal welfare to social issues to environmental impact – continues to grow in importance for the modern chicken consumer. However, these consumers must also weigh other factors, including cost, when making purchasing decisions. Bruce Blakeman, senior consultant and public policy + issues practice leader, Heart+Mind Strategies, will discuss how consumers decide what to value when making purchasing decisions.

Moderator: Terrence O’Keefe, content director, WATT Global Media

Location: Juniper Ballroom

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. 

Panel discussion: Supply chain partners panel

Panelists discuss challenges and opportunities for chicken supply chain companies that connect processors with consumers.

Confirmed panelists:

• John Atkinson, VP, purchasing and quality, PFSbrands
• Joe Gordon,vice president of procurement and supply chain, Krispy Krunchy Chicken
• Peter Reilly, senior category manager, meat division, Wakefern Food Corporation

Location: Juniper Ballroom

12:15 p.m.

Conference wrap-up

Location: Juniper Ballroom

John Atkinson is the vice president of purchasing and quality at PFSbrands. He has been with the company for eight years, serving in multiple leadership roles within supply chain, customer service, quality, product development, demand planning and manufacturing. PFSbrands is a 100% employee-owned company with foodservice brands specialized in operating within convenient stores and grocery stores. Their brands include Champs Chicken, Cooper’s Express, BluTaco, Hot Mex Express, Hangar 54 Pizza and Wingman Pizza. Atkinson has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri.

Bruce Blakeman, senior consultant and public policy + issues practice leader, Heart+Mind Strategies, is an experienced communications, public affairs and brand-positioning executive with over 25 years of leadership in both the U.S. and international markets. He held leadership positions at Cargill Asia-Pacific from 2015-2019 and served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s envoy to China from 2003-2005 and the deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service from 2001-2003.

Corey Chafin is a partner in the consumer and retail practice of Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm. He has nearly a decade-and-a-half consulting and industry experience in the food and beverage industry covering supply chain transformation, sourcing and procurement, sustainability, M&A strategies, P&L performance, retail execution strategy and product information. Chafin authors the annual Kearney Earth Day Report.

Prior to joining the U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) in 2019, John R. Clifford served for 33 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). He held a number of roles in his time with APHIS including serving as chief veterinary officer for the U.S. and chief trade advisor for APHIS. Clifford also served as the U.S. official delegate to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and deputy administrator of APHIS. He has served on the front lines of disease control efforts for HPAI and exotic Newcastle disease as well as negotiations with trading partners.

Brian Earnest is lead economist for animal protein in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division. He provides market and industry research for the poultry, pork and beef sectors. Earnest has more than 10 years of industry and consulting experience. Prior to joining CoBank, he was senior commodity analyst, poultry, with IHS Markit’s Food and Agricultural Commodities Economics group. Earnest provided forecasting and price risk strategies, client service, as well as project consulting in the poultry and egg space. He previously held various procurement and advisory roles with Topco Associates LLC, a retail food industry cooperative. Earnest holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in economics from Eastern Illinois University.

Based in New York, JP Frossard works with the global consumer foods team, focusing on bakery and plant-based products. Frossard has broad experience in the food industry, including agricultural commodities trading, research and procurement. He most recently worked at PepsiCo, where he was responsible for sweeteners procurement in North America. Prior to that, he worked at Bunge in Brazil and the U.S. as a sugar trader, economic researcher and export analyst. Frossard has a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the University of São Paulo and studied international business and trade at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil.

Kevin Garland is the Chairman of NCC for 2022-2023. Since 2018, Garland has served as CEO of Mountaire Corp. He has spent the entirety of his career building, leading and advising industrial businesses. For the prior 17 years, he was a partner at The Sterling Group, a leading private equity firm in Houston. Previously, Garland was at Enron in the mergers and acquisitions group and led Enron’s private equity business. He also previously worked for Parker and Parsley Petroleum, in mergers and acquisitions, and Stephens Inc., in investment banking. Kevin received a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College and an master’s degree in business administration with honors from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Joe Gordon is the vice president of procurement and supply chain with Krispy Krunchy Chicken and oversees supply chain, distribution, and quality assurance. He has more than 25 years’ experience in supply chain leadership at Wendy’s, Noodles & Company, Portillo’s, Teriyaki Madness and Smashburger. He has a strong background in logistics, proteins and commodities, and has also led food safety, quality and R&D departments for more than 15 years. Gordon has a bachelor’s degree in production and operations management from Ohio State University and an master’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University.

David Maloni, president, Datum FS, is a recognized executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years in foodservice and supply chain. He is a former founder of the American Restaurant Association, which helps to provide industry supply chain expertise, best practices and technology offerings to over 600 foodservice companies and interests. Maloni is a sought-after industry expert featured in numerous industry events and media outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

Joyce Neth is vice president, director of audience engagement, for WATT Global Media. She is responsible for creating insights for strategic decisions, audience marketing, product marketing and proprietary research using knowledge from WATT’s database of audience behavior and demographics. Prior to joining WATT in 2006, Neth held senior research positions at two major-market newspaper companies. She started her career as a marketing engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Neth is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Erkin Peksoz is a senior director of client insights at Circana and leads the Perdue Farms team. Prior to joining Circana in 2017, he held various brand management roles across the food and beverage CPG industry. In his own words, nothing excites and energizes him more than observing and reacting to the ever-changing consumer trends and decisions. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.

Peter Reilly is a senior category manager in the meat division with Wakefern Food Corporation. He has been in the meat division for 20 years on various fresh protein procurement desks and served as the fresh poultry category manager since 2006. Previously, Reilly worked in the seafood industry for 22 years.

Kevin Ryan is founder/CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, a CPG, retail and foodservice-focused insights and innovation agency. Ryan previously served as the global strategic planner at Amazon, overseeing the corporate brand and advertising strategies for Global Prime and Non-Prime. Prior to Amazon, Ryan was director of strategy and innovation at General Mills where, for 15 years, he led corporate and brand initiatives to discover new opportunities globally. Ryan writes a bi-monthly newsletter for the food industry called Culture Matters and hosts a food industry podcast called 3 Squares. He holds both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in food science, and an MSc in food anthropology.

Erika Stewart is a consultant in the consumer and retail practice of Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm. Her work focuses on food and beverage, and she is one of the firm’s experts across protein value chains. Stewart has worked closely with retailers to manage their protein categories addressing end-to-end category management including product specifications and new product innovation.

Mark Strobel is a senior research manager at Euromonitor International with a focus on food and beverage industries. Based in Chicago, he has more than 14 years of experience in market research. Strobel has been working in international market research since 2007 and has a background in various consumer goods industries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and studied at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile.