Opening Keynote - The Power of Culture: How High Standards Create The Best Partnerships

Join Sal Frisella, CEO of 1st Phorm International to hear his story from MLB success as a St. Louis Cardinals, to growing 1st Phorm into an international brand, now working in partnership with Anheuser-Busch.

Startup World Cup - CPG Pitch Competition

Baking Success at Panera: A Journey to Support Bakery-Café Issues with Software Automation

Have you ever heard of a restaurant where the technology never breaks? (If so, we’d love to hear about it!) In this session, we’ll explore innovative strategies developed right here in St. Louis to tackle the technological challenges faced by Panera Bread café managers. Attendees can look forward to discussions on leveraging automated solutions through technologies such as ServiceNow, AI-powered chatbots, and APIs. The session will also cover some user experience (UX) strategies for multi-device web development and best practices in software development.

Turning Data into Dollars: AI’s Role in Consumer Product Success

CPG brands are sitting on mountains of data—but many struggle to turn it into real business impact. This session explores how AI and real-time supply chain visibility help brands predict demand, optimize production, and prevent stockouts. Join Laura Lakhwara, VP of Growth at Soapbox, to learn how leading brands unlock hidden revenue, respond faster to market shifts, and build more resilient supply chains. Walk away with strategies to turn data into smarter decisions, stronger profits, and loyal customers.

Lunch

Pet Tech Panel: Innovating For The Pets We Love

If you have pets at home, chances are they’re part of your family and, chances are, you even have pictures of them on your phone. The PetCare industry is thriving, fast approaching $400 billion in annual revenue with nearly 1 billion cats and dogs in homes around the world. Technology-enabled innovation in PetCare companies, big and small, is fueling their growth, profitability and ability to solve problems that give pet owners confidence they’re being the best pet-parents possible. Join Mark Donavon, a uniquely experienced innovator in PetCare, who will moderate this panel of PetCare experts who are bringing game-changing tech-enabled innovations to life.

Transition Break

Track A - Designing Beyond the Template: How to Build Digital Experiences that Reflect Society’s Complexity

In an era of rapid digital transformation, it’s crucial that UI/UX design evolves to meet the complex needs of today’s diverse world. We’ll explore how UI/UX designs can go beyond one-size-fits-all templates and authentically represent the multifaceted identities of its users. By moving away from standard templates and examining how design elements like color, text, and structure can either reinforce or dismantle societal stereotypes, participants will learn to create user experiences that reflect the complexities of modern society. We’ll introduce the concept of the Axis of Assimilation, a sociological theory that reveals the complex ways individuals navigate societal expectations, and how these dynamics should inform design choices. Through real-world examples, engaging activities, and actionable game plans, participants will learn to design beyond templates, leaving with tangible steps to create empowering, socially conscious digital worlds that resonate with all users.

Track B - The Quantum Leap: Supercharging Product Management with Uncertainty

In this talk, Abel will explore how embracing uncertainty — much like quantum physics embraces the probabilistic nature of particles — can fuel breakthroughs in product management. He will delve into methods of turning ambiguity into advantage, teaching product managers to create flexible, adaptive roadmaps that thrive in an unpredictable market. Through examples from both AI-driven development and real-world product cycles, this session will reveal how to transform uncertainty into the most valuable asset in your toolkit. Perfect for those who wish to embrace risk, rather than shy away from it, in order to create truly disruptive products.

Transition Break

Locally Made, Globally Loved: The Path to Product Scale in St. Louis

Look inside the process of taking local consumer goods to regional and national markets—with lessons on production growth, negotiating contracts, and accessing new customer connections. Join Adjo Honsou (FUFU n' Sauce), Kay Wells (Posie Pots), and Rachel Burns (Bold Spoon Creamery) to hear about their journey to building brands of influence and businesses that scale.