Foodservice Intelligence, Strategy & Execution
NxtGen Pro · January 2027 · Tampa, Florida
IMMERSION 2027
Intelligence. Strategy. Results.
In partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Nutrition Services,
Cool School Cafe & GENYOUth. Immersion is an elevated, off-site experience designed
to bring manufacturers and school nutrition professionals together in ways no conference floor ever could.
0
Wednesday, January 7, 2027
Arrival Day
Tour participants + early arrivals
Le Méridien Tampa
All Day
Attendee Arrivals
Guests traveling in for the school tour on Day 1 check into Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse.
All Day
Badge Pickup
Day 1 tour participants collect credentials and event materials at Le Méridien Tampa upon arrival.
Evening
Informal Gathering
No official programming. Attendees are encouraged to connect at Sal Rosa restaurant and bar at Le Méridien Tampa.
1
Thursday, January 8, 2027
"Inside the Kitchen"
SN Professionals + Select Manufacturers
Le Méridien → HCPS → Le Méridien
8:00 AM
All Day 1 Attendees
Welcome Breakfast & Orientation
Marlon Gordon opens Immersion at Le Méridien Tampa. Sets the tone, provides tour briefing with context on HCPS Student Nutrition Services. Introductions around the room.
9:30 AM
Buses Depart Le Méridien Tampa
Departing for HCPS Student Nutrition Services school — 45 min travel.
10:15 AM
–
12:15 PM
–
12:15 PM
The School Tour
Guided walkthrough of a live HCPS Student Nutrition Services operation. Attendees observe real service, facilities, and workflow firsthand. Q&A with HCPS nutrition staff.
12:15 PM
Buses Depart
Returning to Le Méridien Tampa — 45 min travel.
1:00 PM
–
3:00 PM
–
3:00 PM
Recorded by NxtGen Network
Debrief & Discussion — Fireside Chat
2-hour moderated fireside conversation hosted by NxtGen at Le Méridien Tampa. Recorded by NxtGen Network. What did you see? What surprised you? What does it mean for your product, program, or strategy?
3:00 PM
–
5:30 PM
–
5:30 PM
Afternoon Free Time
Explore Tampa, decompress, connect informally before the evening reception.
5:30 PM
All Attendees Join
Registration & Badge Pickup Opens
Hosted at Le Méridien Tampa. All attendees joining on Day 2 check in here.
6:00 PM
–
10:00 PM
–
10:00 PM
Full Immersion Audience
Welcome Reception & Dinner
First time the full Immersion audience is together. Full dinner service, drinks, and sponsor visibility. Hosted at Le Méridien Tampa. Co-branded with Cool School Cafe.
2
Friday, January 9, 2027
"Intelligence. Strategy. Results."
All Attendees — Manufacturers & SN Professionals
HCPS District Office
7:30 AM
Buses Depart Le Méridien Tampa
Departing for HCPS Student Nutrition Services District Office.
8:00 AM
30 Min
Networking Breakfast
Informal connections before the day begins at HCPS District Office.
Break & Transition · 15 min
8:45 AM
Recorded by NxtGen Network
Hot Topic General Session
Fireside chat or interactive presentation. All attendees. Topics tied to what's impacting K-12 nutrition right now — DGAs, regulations, funding, etc. Survey-driven topic selection in advance.
Break & Transition · 15 min
10:00 AM
Private · 60 Min
Client's Choice Breakouts
Simultaneous private sessions held in individual rooms at the HCPS District Office, one room per manufacturer client. Each client leads their own 60-minute conversation with a group of SN professionals. Bring your deck, your samples, your questions. This is YOUR intelligence session.
Break & Transition · 15 min
11:15 AM
Recorded by NxtGen Network
The Operator's Table
The floor belongs to the SN professionals. A facilitated fireside chat or roundtable where school nutrition professionals drive the conversation — asking questions, presenting real challenges, and seeking solutions directly from industry members in the room. Moderated by NxtGen.
Break & Transition · 15 min
12:30 PM
Featuring GENYOUth National Youth Council · 60 Min
Student Feedback Session
Students taste, react, and give real unfiltered feedback on products from participating manufacturers. Includes taste tests and Q&A. One of the most valuable and authentic data points a manufacturer can get — straight from the consumer.
1:30 PM
Lunch
30 minutes.
Break & Transition · 15 min
2:15 PM
4 Paid Spots · 90 Min
Culinary Demo + Competition
4 paid manufacturer spots. Each brand brings a chef and their product. Held in the HCPS District Office facilities. Attendees roll up their sleeves and cook alongside the chefs. Energy, fun, real product interaction.
Break & Transition · 15 min
4:00 PM
GENYOUth Youth Council + Industry Experts + Attendees
Competition Judging
A panel of GENYOUth National Youth Council members, industry experts, and attendees score the dishes. Award presented. Powerful content moment.
Break & Transition · 15 min
4:45 PM
Wrap Up & Closing Remarks
Marlon Gordon closes Immersion 2027. What's next. Thank yous.
5:00 PM
Buses Return to Le Méridien Tampa
7:00 PM
Cool School Closing Event
Private dinner to close out Immersion. A relaxed evening with fellow attendees before SNIC week begins.
Event Partners
