Prepared Foods, a BNP Media publication, will host its 31st annual New Products Conference Sept. 15-18 at the Loews Coronado Hotel in San Diego. The event will offer R&D, marketing and executive management professionals valuable insights into new foods, beverages and consumer trends from around the world.

The conference kicks off with a welcome reception on Sept. 15.

On Monday, Sept. 16, Michael Leonard, group publisher, and Robert Garrison, chief editor, Prepared Foods, will start the day with opening remarks. Their presentations will be followed by a keynote address by Philip and Gayle Tauber, co-founders of Kashi Co., La Jolla, Calif.

Other featured speakers on Sept. 16 are Barry Calpino, vice president-breakthrough innovation, Kraft Foods Group; Vivien Godfrey, CEO, Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP); Larry Levine, executive general manager, consumer insights, Information Resources Inc.; Jeff Manning, chief marketing officer, Cherry Marketing Institute; and Eric LeBlanc, vice president of marketing, deli and convenience stores, Tyson Foods Inc.

The day concludes with the Spirit of Innovation Awards ceremony and reception. The Spirit of Innovation Award recognizes product development teams for excellence in creating innovative new products.

Tuesday, Sept. 17, begins with a presentation by Doug Hall, innovation engineer, Eureka Ranch. Other speakers on the agenda that day are Marianne O’Shea, senior director, R&D nutrition, PepsiCo, director, Quaker Oats Center of Excellence; Steven Steinborn, partner, Hogan Lovells; Sean Westcott, director, Product Technology Center, Nestle SA; Denise Holloman, vice president, continuous improvement and manufacturing support, General Mills; and Lynn Dornblaser and David Jago, directors, innovation & insight, Mintel Group.

The Collegiate Education Awards, Mintel New Product Showcase and Tasting Session and a networking reception are also slated for Tuesday.

The final day of the conference, Wednesday, Sept. 18, will feature a presentation by Brian Darr, managing director, and Maeve Webster, senior director, Datassential.

For more information and to register, visit www.newproductsconference.com.