September 17th, 2024*

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Fragrance and Function: Advancing Wellness Through Taste And Smell

Engage with leading voices in taste and smell research as they discuss the latest scientific findings. Experts will share insights on recent advancements in sensory science.

• WTSA will unveil its public health survey initiative.

• Introduction of WTSA’s new research arm.

• Statistical insights on taste and smell loss.

• Sustainability, innovation, and future of food trends.

*** Media Alert: Ask WTSA about how we are charting the taste and smell landscape via a public health survey + WHY THIS MATTERS

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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Taste and Smell, in Harmony and Discord

Millions of individuals suffer from compromised senses of taste and smell, often undiagnosed and suffering in silence.

When these senses are impaired, it’s as if a full-color world has turned black and white. A gas leak can be indistinguishable from perfume; fresh fruit, sour milk, or a favorite meal can taste like paste or become unpleasantly distorted, making eating and cooking challenging. Many suffer from debilitating taste and smell loss due to brain injury, COVID-19 and other infections, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chemotherapy, certain medications, age-related taste loss, and congenital conditions.

WTSA Co-Founder, Stephanie Feuer will be joined by Dr. Jonathan Overdevest, and Leah Holzel for a discussion on different types of smell and taste loss, related distortions and treatments. She’ll be joined by individuals suffering from taste and smell distortions to share what it is like to live with these conditions and offer strategies for coping, including safe foods and multisensory approaches to cooking with smell loss.

*** Media Alert: Ask us about "Voices of Experience" + #DeliciousForAll.

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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Flavor Illusions: How Senses Interact to Create Deliciousness

Join Alex Woo, Ph.D, (W2O, ex Starbucks, Pepsi) and Jerome Pellaud (Global VP of AB InBev), Martha Bajec Ph.D. (Bajec Senseworks, Niagra College) as they explore the power of cross-modal sensory perception and how unexpected textures and flavors can challenge preconceived notions of taste.

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2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Sensory Wellness: Emerging Trends Driving the New Touchpoints of Consumer Packaged Goods

Sensory science touches upon our 5 senses - sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Emotional Wellness is a fundamental factor for consumers and the products they purchase. Consumer packaged goods designed to enhance pleasure, diminish pain, or solve a problem are drivers, many of which incorporate multiple touchpoints. This presentation by Amy Marks McGee of Trendincite LLC and Ariella Halperin of Storied Senses examines consumer lifestyle trends such as Women’s Wellness, Pets, Gaming, and Inclusive Design and how they influence innovation to improve the quality of life.

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5:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Senses Intertwined: A Journey Beyond Taste & Smell. The impact of taste and smell on emotions and how a multisensory approach can support people experiencing smell and taste disorders.

At the Global Taste and Smell Summit, MANE will host a special event highlighting the intimate link between taste and smell, and how the relations between smell, taste and other senses can support people facing smell and taste disorders. In partnership with WTSA and MOFAD, MANE invites you to explore smell and taste through multisensorial experiences, while raising awareness of the special role smell and taste play in our lives.

*** Media Alert: Ask about our global launch of Umema, a limited-edition anosmic perfume that will never be smelled - until NOW!

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