StratFest 2026

Stop Chasing Fads. Start Building Connected Brand Systems.

Join Mintel’s Associate Director of Trends, Diana Kelter, at StratFest 2026 in New York City for an interactive workshop, “It’s All Connected: How the Next Era of Strategy Will Be Focused on Systems.” In a marketplace that can feel like a constant game of whack-a-mole, this session will help brand strategists move beyond chasing the next fad and start designing connected systems that drive meaningful outcomes.

Learn how to turn fragmented consumer journeys into connected ecosystems that help brands create stronger touchpoints, clearer value, and more measurable strategic outcomes.

Consumers and brands are caught in a cycle of constant reaction: another product launch, another emerging behavior, another trend to chase. Mintel’s 2027 Annual Predictions point to a more strategic path forward, where the future shifts from standalone products to connected systems. This session will explore how strategists can act as orchestrators, helping brands move from isolated benefits to ecosystems designed around outcomes, relevance, and meaningful consumer progress.

You’ll learn:

This event is designed for:

Agenda:

The whack-a-mole marketplace: Explore why constant product launches, micro-trends, and shifting consumer expectations are creating reactive pressure for brands and strategists. 

From products to systems: Understand Mintel’s 2027 Annual Predictions perspective on why future value will come from connected ecosystems, not isolated product benefits. 

Brands as project managers: Discuss how brands can guide consumers through complex journeys by orchestrating touchpoints, partners, services, and experiences around clear outcomes. 

Outcome mapping in practice: Participate in a hands-on exercise that blends strategy and project management to design systems that support relevant consumer progress