Some of the brightest branding and design minds in the business will highlight this year's FUSE: Design, Culture, Branding conference (formerly Brand Identity and Package Design). The conference, produced by the Institute for International Research (IIR), will be April 13-16 at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, New York City.

Shelf Impact! will again continue its support of the conference as a media partner.

During the pre-conference symposia on April 14, Peter Thum, Founder of Ethos Water and Vice President, Global Brand and Product at Starbucks Coffee Co., will deliver the keynote presentation "Changing the Way People Think About a Commodity and Building a Brand With a Social Mission."

Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The Tipping Point" and a leading writer on science, culture, and human behavior, will kick off the conference on April 15 with the keynote address "What We Can Learn From Spaghetti Sauce: Finding Customers' Truest Tastes."
Also on April 15, Milton Glaser, one of America's most celebrated graphic designers, will explore the topic "Changing Minds."

Terry Schwartz will be among the many speakers offering design perspectives of consumer product manufacturers. On April 16, Schwartz, Senior Director, Brand Design, ConAgra Foods, will discuss "Moving Beyond the Brief: Creating a Brand Essence That Connects Everything the Brand Does."

The symposia day will include concurrent breakout track sessions on sustainability and packaging innovation, global design and brand strategy, and emotional branding and the quest for experiences. The conference days will offer afternoon tracks on design, strategy, and trends affecting packaging. View complete registration details and the program agenda.