Exploring What’s Next in Sensory Science, Consumer Insight, and AI
The InsightsNow team is excited to be heading to Louisville, Kentucky, for the 2026 Society of Sensory Professionals (SSP) Conference, taking place October 7-9. This year’s theme,”Unbridled Sensory: Inspiring Innovation, Driving Discovery,” captures what makes SSP one of our favorite events of the year: bringing together sensory professionals, consumer researchers, data scientists, and innovators to exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and explore the future of our field.
SSP has long been a valuable opportunity to hear the latest buzz across sensory and consumer science, from emerging methodologies and advances in AI to new applications that help organizations better understand the human experience. Equally important, it creates space for meaningful conversations with peers, clients, partners, and collaborators who are all working to advance the science behind better decisions. As behavioral scientists and sensory researchers, we always leave inspired by the fresh perspectives, practical innovations, and thought-provoking discussions that emerge throughout the conference.
This year, InsightsNow is especially proud to contribute to the program in multiple ways. Our team will be leading and participating in workshops focused on AI agents and practical AI adoption for sensory and consumer scientists, presenting new research on closing the consumer articulation gap through implicit measurement, sharing perspectives on how GLP-1 medications may influence future food and beverage experiences, and participating in a live agentic panel discussion that explores how AI can help uncover new dimensions of consumer understanding. These sessions reflect our ongoing commitment to helping organizations move beyond traditional research approaches to better understand behavior, decision-making, and emerging consumer needs.
Whether you’re interested in behavioral science, sensory innovation, AI-enabled research, or the future of consumer understanding, we look forward to connecting with colleagues from across the industry and contributing to the conversations shaping what’s next.
Below is a complete list of InsightsNow workshops, presentations, and conference contributions.
We’re lighting up the show Thursday, October 8
WORKSHOPS
Applying the Power of AI Agents to Accelerate Learning Cycles
10:15–11:45 a.m. | Workshop
Getting Unstuck: Practical AI Integration for Sensory and Consumer Scientists
1:15–2:45 p.m.
Stephen C. McIngvale, presenting alongside sensory and AI professionals from Aigora, CSS/Datatelligence, Land O’Lakes, MANE, and Todd Renn & Associates.
PRESENTATIONS
Implicit Patterns Show You How to Close the Articulation Gap in Consumer Research
3:30 p.m.
Greg Stucky, presenting with Bryson Bolton of Compusense.
GLP-1 and the Future of Snacking: Behavioral Design Meets AI
3:30 p.m.
David Lundahl, presenting with Mimi Sherlock of IFF.
LIVE AGENTIC PANEL DISCUSSION
Conversations with Agents: A Live Agentic Panel Discussion About GLP-1 Food and Beverage Experiences
4:10 p.m.
David Lundahl, presenting with John Ennis of Aigora.





