Day 1 🕑 4:20 PM – 5:00 PM 📍 Heart of It All Ballroom Room B

Getting on the shelf in Ohio is only half the challenge — but it starts with getting a buyer's attention. This session brings together Ohio retail buyers to break down how purchasing decisions are made before a product ever hits the floor. Panelists share what stands out in a crowded market, how brands are evaluated at first glance, and what earns a real shot at shelf placement in 2026. Attendees will take away: what buyers look for before approving a new product; the pricing, packaging, and readiness factors that influence first impressions; how buyers filter through high volumes of submissions; and what separates products that get placed from those that do not.