2026 Annual General Meeting & Retail Strategy Forum

AFPA AGM: Celebrating Growth and Looking Ahead

Day two began with AFPA’s Annual General Meeting, where members reflected on another year of growth for both the association and Alberta’s food and beverage industry. The AGM highlighted not only the strength of AFPA’s growing network, but also the increasing collaboration taking place across the industry as Alberta companies continue to expand their reach at home and abroad.

Today, AFPA proudly supports more than 260 food and beverage processors and an additional 500 associate companies through its programs and partnerships, creating a network of more than 760 businesses across the province.

Together, these companies represent the innovation, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing excellence driving Alberta’s value-added food sector forward. Through initiatives such as Made in Alberta and the SCALE Industry Advancement Program, AFPA helps companies increase visibility, connect with buyers, access new markets, secure retail opportunities, and build capacity for long-term growth.

AFPA welcomed back Chris Tomita of Quality Fast Foods to the Board of Directors and celebrated the continued strength of Alberta’s food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Retail Forum & Exhibitor Showcase: Insights, Connections and Opportunities

Friday’s Retail Forum and Exhibitor Showcase brought together processors, retailers, buyers, industry experts, and service providers for an afternoon of insights into what buyers are looking for  and what it takes to get your products on the shelf – and to keep them there.

With buyers and decision-makers from Sobeys, Costco, Community Natural Foods, Freson Bros., and the foodservice sector in attendance, exhibitors and participants had direct access to the people influencing purchasing and merchandising decisions across Alberta.

The Forum featured insights from some of Canada’s leading retail and business experts. Peter Chapman of SKUFood challenged attendees to rethink buyer expectations and retail strategy, while Sobeys’ Cori Norman shared valuable perspectives on consumer trends, grocery retail, and opportunities for emerging brands. The Retail Leadership Panel offered a look at how products move from pitch meetings to store shelves, bringing together perspectives from senior leadership to boots-on-the-ground store operations, and from large national retailers to independent and specialty grocers. Attendees gained practical advice on building buyer relationships, merchandising, store execution, and scaling for growth. Hollen Industries and Oil City Press highlighted retail-ready packaging, shelf-edge, and display strategies that help brands stand out at shelf, while closing keynote speaker Nada Lena Nasserdeen challenged attendees to strengthen the leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills needed for long-term success.