The second ESN meeting in 2007 was hosted by the French ESN member INRA and held in Dijon, France. For the first time, it was preceded by  a one day ESN Industry Forum, with representatives from Danone, Nestlé, Nokia, Novartis, and Symrise participating.

The aims of this first Industry Forum were to discuss the industry’s needs within the field of sensory and consumer research to be better able to plan future ESN activities and explore the possibilities for closer research cooperation with the industry. The ESN members took the opportunity to present the results of an ESN industry survey and to inform on the latest research approaches. Industry members commented on these new methods and provided insights into specific problems and gaps in sensory & consumer research relating to industry exigencies.

Research co-operation with industries
As a result of these personal discussions and debates, ESN representatives (headed by ESN advisor David Lyon) suggested the establishment of an official partnership that would allow industrial companies and ESN members increased networking opportunities. Within such a partnership, common research activities could be conducted at a pre-competitive level; the results would be available to all industry partners and ESN members. In addition to such a commonly funded and fully collaborative partner research programme, the partnership could also include the possibility of collaborative group research involving several ESN members and industry partners, with the results restricted to the group research partners. Another possibility would be collaborative private research involving at least two ESN members and one industry partner, with the results restricted to those directly involved in the research. Industry participants responded positively to these suggestions and confirmed their serious interest in  such a new form of affiliation to the ESN. (Read more on this topic here)

Procedure for research proposals
During the internal meeting that followed, the procedure for future research proposals was extensively discussed. ESN members came up with the following suggestions: starting in 2008 there will be one call per year for pilot projects, with at least two ESN members involved in each project. These ideas will be presented to the industry partners. The ideas considered to be most relevant to current industry needs will be worked out into full proposals which will then be voted on by the complete ESN membership and their industrial partners. After the start of a project the industrial partners will be informed concerning the progress of the ongoing research twice a year during the regularly scheduled meetings. The details of the rules for this industry partnership will be made available on the ESN website.

ESN welcomes ROGIL and ANALYST
The ESN welcomed two new members into its network. ROGIL (situated in Heverlee, Belgium) and ANALYST (from Hamam St. Rehovot, Israel), passed the admission requirements with flying colours: their sensory and consumer research methods and methodology was shown to be of the highest quality.
ROGIL not only relies on state-of-the-art equipment for in-house sensory testing; it also uses mobile testing busses. The busses can be taken anywhere in the country, and allow for high level hands-on field research. Another method ROGIL has expertise in using is tachistoscopic measurement and eye movement tracking. This is a tool used to assess eye movement behavior in order to enhance the efficiency of packaging, print advertisements, and websites. The company cooperates with the Faculty of Economics at the Catholic University of Leuven for method development and innovation.

ANALYST was founded 30 years ago, and is now a market leader in Israel. The company faces the challenge of working in a country with an extraordinary cultural mix within its population. This includes Jews, Christians, and Muslims ranging from the ultra-orthodox to the non-secular. There is also a continuous flow of new immigrants (e.g. Russian) into Israel. Such a cultural kaleidoscope  exhibits a wide spectrum of consumer needs and habits. ANALYST also specializes in research on children and teens, using tools that are specifically adapted to the different age groups. In cooperation with Kitchen Connect, ANALYST regularly conducts culinary focus groups in kitchen stations in which trial users can be observed and questioned in real time.

2008: Meeting and Sensory Seminar in South Africa
ESN is now planning its next meeting, to be held in South Africa in April 2008. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the University of Pretoria, ESN members will visit their South African associate member, the Sensory Research Division at the University's Department of Food Science. ESN will hold an educational sensory seminar on-site.