Agenda 2027
Here's a preview of what we've got planned at YMS - new sessions coming very soon...
Cracking the Next Gen Brand Code with the PION100 USA
Pion dives into Wave II of the Pion100 - the definitive guide to Gen Z loyalty, spending and value across the US. Where does your brand rank and who are the movers, shakers and ones to watch?
Cracking the Next Gen Brand Code with the PION100 USA
Pion dives into Wave II of the Pion100 - the definitive guide to Gen Z loyalty, spending and value across the US. Where does your brand rank and who are the movers, shakers and ones to watch?
Pion dives into Wave II of the Pion100 - the definitive guide to Gen Z loyalty, spending and value across the US - and reveal the next wave of our ranking of the brands US students love most. Where does your brand rank and who are the movers, shakers and ones to watch? See who is rising, who is slipping and why, sector by sector.
Discovery is constantly moving - reimagining the Gen Z storefront
Discovery has evolved with TikTok Shop, Instagram Reels, and influencer-led creator affiliate networks at the forefront, but in-store and IRL experiences still plays a big part in the lives of young shoppers. Our panel dig into the 2027 Gen Z storefront.
Discovery is constantly moving - reimagining the Gen Z storefront
Discovery has evolved with TikTok Shop, Instagram Reels, and influencer-led creator affiliate networks at the forefront, but in-store and IRL experiences still plays a big part in the lives of young shoppers. Our panel dig into the 2027 Gen Z storefront.
Discovery has evolved with TikTok Shop, Instagram Reels, and influencer-led creator affiliate networks at the forefront, but in-store and IRL experiences still plays a big part in the lives of young shoppers. Our panel dig into the 2027 Gen Z storefront.
You'll leave knowing:
- How to meet eco-conscious demands for students on tight budgets.
- How to adapt design, stock and marketing cycles to TikTok trend speed.
- How to connect social commerce and creator seeding with real-life community.
Catch Them First: Why Students Are the Ultimate Acquisition Strategy
Students are making brand choices for the first time - our panel of brands dig into why students are the ultimate acquistion strategy.
Catch Them First: Why Students Are the Ultimate Acquisition Strategy
Students are making brand choices for the first time - our panel of brands dig into why students are the ultimate acquistion strategy.
Students are making brand choices for the first time, and those choices stick. Leaders from delivery, food, fitness and tech brands share how they win customers early and keep them.
You'll leave knowing:
- How early brand choices turn into long-term habits.
- The offers and channels that drive first orders at scale.
- How to keep new student customers once the discount ends.
Marketing Leaders Roundtable
Gen Z discovery has moved into group chats, DMs and AI assistants. Leaders compare how they plan and prove growth when dashboards can't see it.
Marketing Leaders Roundtable
Gen Z discovery has moved into group chats, DMs and AI assistants. Leaders compare how they plan and prove growth when dashboards can't see it.
Gen Z discovery has moved into group chats, DMs and AI assistants. Leaders compare how they plan and prove growth when dashboards can't see it.
Brand Q&A: heritage meets the next generation
How does a household name win new shoppers without losing the loyal ones it already has? A heritage brand shares how it balances both.
Brand Q&A: heritage meets the next generation
How does a household name win new shoppers without losing the loyal ones it already has? A heritage brand shares how it balances both.
How does a household name win new shoppers without losing the loyal ones it already has? A heritage brand shares how it balances both.
Solving the anonymous customer problem for food and drink brands
In this closed-door roundtable for food and drink marketers, address the key challenge: why knowing who your customers are is more valuable than reaching another million people.
Solving the anonymous customer problem for food and drink brands
In this closed-door roundtable for food and drink marketers, address the key challenge: why knowing who your customers are is more valuable than reaching another million people.
This session addresses the key challenge that F&B marketers are facing: knowing who your customers are is more valuable than reaching another million people.
What we’ll get into
- The cost of not knowing. Dining out tops Gen Z’s discretionary spend. Delivery platforms own that relationship and mass brand messaging slides straight past it. What is anonymity costing you?
- Know them at the door. Verified communities like students, military and healthcare workers tell you who’s walking in. Mid-week and off-peak slots are the cheapest place to test that.
- Make it a habit, not a one-off. Build loyalty around the moments that already shape the year: back to school, finals, spring break and graduation.
- Capture without the friction. First-party data at the counter and in the delivery bag, without asking for an email nobody wants to give.
- Data finds them, people keep them. Knowing who your customer is gets them in the door once. The people serving them decide whether they come back.
This is a closed-door roundtable, not a panel. It’s a small group of F&B marketers comparing notes on the problems they don’t usually say out loud - no pitches and no slides, just honest conversation.
Who it’s for: Marketing, loyalty and CRM leads at US fast food, fast casual, casual dining, coffee, pizza and delivery, treats and snacking. Franchise and multi-unit operators are welcome too.
The 2027 Brands To Watch
Gen Z are often the driver of catapulting new brands into culture. Marketers from fast-rising brands in the PION100 US ranking on how they broke through with Gen Z, and what they would do differently.
The 2027 Brands To Watch
Gen Z are often the driver of catapulting new brands into culture. Marketers from fast-rising brands in the PION100 US ranking on how they broke through with Gen Z, and what they would do differently.
Gen Z are often the driver of catapulting new brands into culture. Marketers from fast-rising brands in the PION100 US ranking on how they broke through with Gen Z, and what they would do differently.
Student Labs: Ask Us Anything
We’re bringing real student voices into the room so marketers can soundboard smarter products, campaigns, and brand strategies. This is your chance to put your burning questions to our panel of students.
Student Labs: Ask Us Anything
We’re bringing real student voices into the room so marketers can soundboard smarter products, campaigns, and brand strategies. This is your chance to put your burning questions to our panel of students.
We’re bringing real student voices into the room so marketers can soundboard smarter products, campaigns, and brand strategies. This is your chance to put your burning questions to our panel of students.
