Shifting Tides: Changes in Consumer Behavior
Shifting Tides
Wednesday, May 13 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
Overall, health first thinking and ingredient led innovation are reshaping how consumers choose and trust beverage brands. The 2026 beverage landscape shows a decisive shift toward lower sugar formulations, with consumers treating reduced sugar as a basic expectation rather than a bonus. Functional beverages are becoming part of daily wellness routines, driven by interest in energy, focus, gut health, and stress support. Trending ingredients like mushrooms, botanicals, electrolytes, and prebiotics reflect a desire for natural, evidence aligned performance benefits.
Speaker
Damian Browne, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research & Development – PepsiCo
Bio
I am currently VP, R&D region lead serving as the primary R&D point of contact for all North America business partners and responsible for the technical development of all domestic brands including Away-From-Home and our joint ventures. Prior to this role I led a team responsible for connecting early scientific insights and consumer unmet needs to drive the front end of innovation for Global Beverages. The team consisted of Culinary, Early-Stage Innovation (ESI), Ingredient Specifications, Ingredient and Flavor subject matter experts driving our science of ingredients and flavors.
I started my PepsiCo career in 2007 in Cork, Ireland developing and building analytical and research chemistry capabilities supporting Europe and AMEA translating scientific research to process solutions for improved quality and productivity.
Schedule
| 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Networking & Appetizers |
| 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Speaker |
| 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Dinner |
Fees
Limit of 100 attendees, register today!
| Members | $55 |
| Students, Unemployed, Emeritus, & Executive Board | $30 |
| Non-Members | $60 |
Menu
| Buffet |