Thought Leadership & Education

Hot Topics Studio offers a high-visibility thought-leadership opportunity within an IFT-curated conversation. Join fast-moving sessions featuring today’s trendwatchers and innovators as they unpack the issues reshaping the global food system—from GLP‑1 impacts to food-as-medicine approaches to research funding challenges.

All Hot Topics sessions are recorded for post‑event distribution through IFT’s podcasts, Omnivore and SciDish, extending visibility for participating SMEs.

Sponsors will elevate their visibility by placing a qualified subject-matter expert into these science-forward conversations moderated by IFT staff and volunteer leaders. Your SME joins 1–2 other experts in a balanced, mission-driven dialogue.

Planning includes a blend of early- and late-stage session topics to ensure optimal timeliness and audience relevance. Sponsors are welcome to contribute to the agenda and questions asked by moderators. Sponsors can also propose additional topics, but all topics are subject to committee review. Sponsorship does not guarantee the determination of the topic.

Notes: Both session lengths are a moderated panel format, with no individual presentations. This stage will not have slides. Content Topics are working titles/descriptions– these are subject to change and finalization as we determine the speakers and build out the session content.

45-Minute Session Topics: $8,000
(up to 2 sponsors per session)

• • GLP-1 and Health Impacts: Focus on GLP-1 agonists, especially emerging research on their broader health effects (e.g., dementia, Alzheimer's), and the implications for food design and consumer trends. 
• • AI and it’s impacts 
• • Challenges in Removing Artificial Ingredients: Examining consumer acceptance, supply chain, and cost challenges when removing artificial ingredients (not just colors) from products.

20-Minute Session Topics: $9,000
(1 sponsor per session)

• • Fiber Maxing / "Snealing": Highlighting the trend of "snealing" (snack-meal hybrid) and fiber maxing, which is emerging in consumer behavior and product development. 
• • Bio-Packaging and Packaging Innovation: Exploring the next evolution of packaging, including bio-packaging from food waste and broader sustainable packaging solutions.  
• • Alternative Proteins & Clean Label Challenges: Regulatory and clean label challenges for plant-based, fermented, and cell-based (cultivated) meats, including consumer communication and industry clarity. 
• • Emulsifiers and Preservatives: Addressing the increasing regulatory scrutiny and bans certain emulsifiers and preservatives, and the implications for product formulation. 
• • Supply Chain Security & Traceability: The impact of tariffs and volatile supply chains on ingredient sourcing, traceability, and certification, with a focus on practical solutions. 

Things to Keep in Mind:

• • Topics are pre-selected by IFT. IFT will moderate the panel and select 1 -2 other panelists to accompany your selected expert.  
• • Session will be recorded (video shared within 15 business days of event)
• • Sponsor recognition during the session and online session planner
• • Sponsor will be provided attendee leads (based on audience badge scans)
  • • Average lead scans: 104 (+166% from 2024 to 2025)
• • Sponsor will also have access to all attendees that bookmark the session in the mobile app
  • Speaker bio subject to approval by IFT  
• • Speaker required to participate in one practice session 3 – 4 weeks prior to IFT FIRST  

DELIVERABLE SPECS  

Session Name/Description: 300 words or less
Deadline: April 20, 2026

Speaker Information: Name, Email, Mobile #, Bio, Headshot
Deadline: May 11, 2026

The Solutions Showcase stage is housed on the expo floor and offers the entire science of food community the opportunity to experience dynamic live presentations and panel discussions. When you sponsor, you have your expert(s) present case studies or moderate discussions that make your brand shine. This is an opportunity to highlight your breakthrough solutions, product innovations, and insights that are driving the future of food. Present a formal presentation on your scientific solution of choice. 

• • 30-minute presentation, includes 5-minute Q&A
• • Sponsor is encouraged to present a case study and solution to an industry problem
• • Sponsor is responsible for securing speaker and all content
• • IFT reserves the ability to edit content (in conjunction with Sponsor) to reduce duplicate programming.
• • Session will be recorded (video shared within 15 business days of event)
• • Sponsor recognition during the session and online session planner
• • Prepackaged sample and a single brochure can be placed for distribution during your company’s presentation
• • Sponsor will be provided attendee leads (based on audience badge scans)
  • • Average lead scans: 68 (+48% from 2024 to 2025)
• • Sponsor will also have access to all attendees that bookmark the session in the mobile app

DELIVERABLE SPECS  

Session Name/Description: 300 words or less
Deadline: April 20, 2026

Speaker Information: Name, Email, Mobile #, Bio, Headshot
Deadline: May 11, 2026

Slide Deck: If you are presenting slides, use 16x10 format (PPT)
Deadline: June 1, 2026

Showcase your company’s ingredients with a 15-minute presentation on the Taste of Science stage located on the exhibit floor, raising brand awareness and driving traffic back to your booth! 

• • 15-minute presentation, includes 5-minute Q&A
• • Sponsor is responsible for securing speaker and all content
• • IFT reserves the ability to edit content (in conjunction with Sponsor) to reduce duplicate programming.
• • Session will be recorded (video shared within 15 business days of event)
• • Sponsor recognition during the session and online session planner
• • Sponsor provides 100 prepared samples for each product tasting during or immediately after the presentation and additional samples at their booth.
• • Sponsor will have a “Sample Stop” sticker placed outside of their booth
• • Sponsor will be provided attendee leads (based on audience badge scans)
  • • Average lead scans: 50 (+43% from 2024 to 2025)
• • Sponsor will also have access to all attendees that bookmark the session in the mobile app

DELIVERABLE SPECS  

Session Name/Description: 300 words or less
Deadline: April 20, 2026

Speaker Information: Name, Email, Mobile #, Bio, Headshot
Deadline: May 11, 2026

Slide Deck: If you are presenting slides, use 16x10 format (PPT)
Deadline: June 1, 2026

Samples: Complete the IFT Samples Submission Form 
Deadline: June 1, 2026

Build buzz around your speaking engagement and raise your profile as a thought leader at IFT FIRST by promoting your session to IFT’s media network and online community. As part of this special package, IFT will create and distribute a press release promoting your session, include your session in a Highlights email sent to registered IFT FIRST attendees, and run advertisements for your session on our LinkedIn and X/Twitter channels. Social media posts will run approximately three weeks prior the event.

DELIVERABLE SPECS

LinkedIn Post

• Headline: Max 200 Characters (with spaces)
• Body Copy – Max 600 Characters (with spaces)
  • Include: Name of session, “#IFTFIRST”
  • IFT will add link to the Session page on the mobile app
• Image
  • Format: PNG or JPG
  • Dimensions: 1200 x 628px
  • Max File: 5MB

X/Twitter Post

• Body Copy – Max 280 Characters (with spaces)
  • Include: “#IFTFIRST”
  • IFT will add link to the Session page on the mobile app
• Image
  • Format: PNG or JPG
  • Dimensions: 1200 x 628px
  • Max File: 5MB

Press Release (shared)

• Company Name
• Session Title
• Session Description: 200 words
• URL: Company page (IFT will also link to the Session page on the mobile app)

Email (shared)

• Company Name
• Company Logo: 500x500 px/JPG or PNG format
• Company Booth #
• Text: 75 words max (IFT will include link to the Session page on the mobile app)

Deadline: June 1, 2026 (all deliverables)