Keynote Speaker Announced for David Michael's Eighth Annual Innovation Roadshow

PHILADELPHIA, PA, December 31, 2010 (Press-News.org) Join David Michael & Co. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, for the food and beverage industry's most anticipated event - the eighth annual Innovation Roadshow.

David Michael Innovation Roadshow(R)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing
http://www.dmflavors.com

Headlining this year's show is Mary Wagner, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development/Quality, Starbucks Coffee Company, who will focus on the modern day challenge of taking brands global.

Going global is a complicated endeavor - expanding into international markets, while staying authentic to your brand, and appealing to local tastes. During this session, you will learn: how to expand your domestic brand into global markets successfully; conversely, how to introduce an idea, flavor or product from another country and market it to American customers; how to create, or adapt, a brand that is market flexible; how to remain authentic, yet appeal to local tastes. Plus, we'll hear real-life stories about venturing into the global market.

The Innovation Roadshow:
Each year, the Innovation Roadshow highlights our best ideas - in technical creativity, new flavor development, and cost-saving technology. We'll help you to track new and emerging trends from around the world, spark your creativity, and show you how to bring products to market faster and smarter. That's what the Innovation Roadshow is all about!

The Innovation Roadshow is characterized by four main components - the Innovation Showcase, Technical Sessions, the Roadmap to the Roadshow and a Keynote Speaker.

The Innovation Showcase:
Creativity is a way of life at David Michael, and with over 70 food scientists, flavor chemists, color engineers, chefs and technicians worldwide, we've got a lot of great ideas. The Innovation Showcase at the Innovation Roadshow gives our talented staff the opportunity to explore new concepts, conduct research or work outside of their area of expertise - allowing them to truly focus on innovation and reveal what's on their own radar screens. Attendees walk away with new flavor insights, unique product development applications, category transfer ideas, and most importantly, a renewed sense of creativity.

Technical Sessions:
As you take in the Innovation Showcase, be sure to schedule a stop in one of our Technical Sessions. They're short, informative, and you don't even have to leave the show floor! Each 20 minute session, presented by a member of David Michael's technical group, focuses on technologies and regulatory issues that can impact the way we formulate products in today's marketplace.

Roadmap to the Roadshow:
Think a confectionery trend is irrelevant to your snack food line? Think again. David Michael's Trendspotter, Erin O'Donnell, returns to give you a behind-the scenes look at the Innovation Showcase and the trends influencing this year's product innovations. This presentation will get you looking beyond the table, and into your own lab.

Attendees are encouraged to fly in early to attend a pre-show event on Tuesday evening, March 29th. The Innovation Roadshow Pre-Show Event has evolved into an experience unto itself, combining timely and educational topics in a relaxed and casual setting.

Visit the David Michael & Co. website at http://www.dmflavors.com to learn more about the 2011 Innovation Roadshow, and to check out highlights from years past.

Attendance for the Innovation Roadshow(R) is free, but space is limited! For more information about the Innovation Roadshow, talk to your Account Manager, or contact our Worldwide Headquarters in Philadelphia at 1-800-DM-FLAVORS.

About Mary Wagner, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development/Quality, Starbucks Coffee Company
Mary Wagner is currently the Global SVP R&D/Quality at Starbucks Coffee Company, headquartered in Seattle Washington. In this capacity, she leads all aspects of food and beverage development for global markets, as well as quality and regulatory activities.

Before joining Starbucks, Wagner served in a number of technical posts throughout the food industry, including General Manager/Chief Technology Officer for Mars Botanical, a division within Mars, Incorporated, and Chief Technology Officer for E. & J. Gallo Winery. E. & J. Gallo Winery. She holds a BS Degree in Bacteriology, an MS Degree in Food Technology from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Minnesota. Wagner is also active in several professional societies, on regulatory committees and in community projects. She is Past President and Treasurer of the Institute of Food Technologists. She has also authored and co-authored several publications.

About David Michael & Co.:

Family-owned and operated since 1896, David Michael & Co. has been a leader and an innovator in the food flavor industry for more than one hundred years. In addition to complete product development assistance, David Michael offers a comprehensive line of over 40,000 flavors, stabilizers and natural colors, which can be custom-designed to meet the needs of virtually any food product. With its global headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, David Michael also has facilities in Northbrook, IL, San Bernardino, CA, and internationally in Lerma, Mexico (David Michael de Mexico SA de CV), Valence, France (David Michael Europe, S.A.S.) and Beijing, China (David Michael (Beijing) Flavor Co. Ltd.)

CONTACT:
Danielle Durso, Marketing Coordinator
215.632.3100/dmdurso@dmflavors.com