Nextin Research Partners with IFT FIRST to Deliver Consumer Insights

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has designated Nextin Research by MarketPlace as a market intelligence provider for its upcoming IFT FIRST annual event and expo.¹ Scheduled for July 12–15, 2026, in Chicago, the event will feature Nextin Research within the Startup Pavilion. For dietary supplement manufacturers, this partnership highlights an increasing integration between primary consumer research, food science, and early-stage ingredient innovation.

What Market Intelligence and Methodology Does Nextin Research Provide?

Nextin Research specializes in synthesizing macro industry dynamics, consumer demand, and health and nutrition developments across the supplement, ingredient, food, beverage, and pet markets. The firm operates with a one-to-three-year market outlook and reports a 92% accuracy rate in its market trend predictions. According to the company's official platform, its published portfolio includes dedicated trend reports, as well as analysis of supplement need-states, functional ingredients, and delivery systems.² Upcoming reports include Functional Ingredients, Women’s Health and Nutrition, Cat Nutrition and Care, and Beverages.

The underlying methodology is designed to assist professionals in identifying market white spaces by connecting supplier innovation directly with consumer motivations.

What Benefits Will IFT FIRST Attendees and Members Receive?

As part of the collaboration, Nextin and IFT have generated a co-branded Custom Insights Brief. This report evaluates specific ingredient sectors that affect food products, focusing on colors, flavors, sweeteners, protein, and fiber. The publication will be distributed as a complimentary download to IFT members and IFT FIRST registrants to assist industry professionals with daily formulation and business decisions. Furthermore, event attendees will receive exclusive discount codes for Nextin's research suites, which cover multiple health and nutrition categories.

How Will MarketPlace Support Emerging Brands in the Startup Pavilion?

In addition to market intelligence reports, the partnership extends to strategic advisory services within the exhibition’s Startup Pavilion. MarketPlace, the parent firm of Nextin Research, will deliver Nextin-powered Growth Strategy Ideation sessions for the winners of "The Pitch!" competition. These sessions aim to help emerging brands test market opportunities and navigate shifting ingredient landscapes by utilizing Nextin’s consumer data and category foresight. Tracy Landau, founder and president of MarketPlace, will participate as a judge for the startup competition. This presence builds upon the agency's nearly 25 years of experience serving as a strategic advisor and brand activator for CPG companies, ingredient suppliers, and retailers.

Why is This Insights Partnership Relevant to Supplement Manufacturers?

For supplement manufacturers, the insights provided through this partnership are relevant to managing long-cycle product development timelines, explains company leadership. “Brands, ingredient suppliers, retailers, and investors are making long-cycle decisions: what to develop, what to invest in, what consumers will actually want two or three years from now,” said Nicole Hill, vice president of strategy and innovation at MarketPlace. “This partnership puts that information directly in the hands of the people formulating tomorrow’s products at exactly the moment they’re looking for direction.”

“IFT FIRST is where ingredient innovation meets the science of food, and this year we’re expanding access to premium market intelligence, trend analysis, and research that supports product development and innovation,” explains Nick Caudell, director, business strategy & analytics, Institute of Food Technologists. “Together with Nextin Research, we’ll deliver differentiated value beyond traditional scientific content and a gateway to business-critical insights to enhance the IFT FIRST attendee experience.”

Manufacturers seeking to access the co-branded report, purchase the 2026 consumer research, or evaluate specific category trend data can find additional details directly on the Nextin Research website.

References

1. Nextin Research. Nextin Research Named Market Intelligence Provider for IFT FIRST. June 18, 2026. Accessed June 23, 2026.
2. Nextin Research by MarketPlace. Nextin Research Home Page. https://www.nextinresearch.com/. Accessed June 23, 2026.