9:20 – 9:40 AM Economic Outlook
The New Economic Reality: What’s Driving Food & Beverage Right Now
Anton Bellot | ATB
A grounded look at the economic forces shaping food and beverage right now — margins, inflation, capital pressure, and growth opportunity.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Owners, executives, CFOs, finance leaders, and strategy teams.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
9:40 – 10:00 AM Global Competitiveness & Productivity in Agri-Food
Dean Voykin, Partner, Private Enterprise | MNP
How does Canada — and Alberta — truly compare on the global agri-food stage?
MNP will share key insights from its latest competitiveness and productivity research, highlighting where we’re strong, where we’re losing ground, and what’s driving the gap — from labour and capital investment to regulatory pressures and scale.
A fast, strategic snapshot connecting global trends to local business realities — and what it means for your margins, growth, and long-term competitiveness.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Executives, operations leaders, plant managers, finance leads, and growth-focused decision makers.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
10:15 – 11:00 AM Grocery Code of Conduct: What You Need to Know
Karen Proud | Office of the Grocery Sector Code
Now that the Canada Grocery Code of Conduct is fully implemented, what does it actually mean for your business?
This session goes beyond theory and into how the Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct operates in practice — how concerns are raised, how complaints are handled, and how the formal dispute resolution process works when issues arise.
For processors, this is about clarity, confidence, and understanding the tools available to support fair dealings. For retailers, it’s about transparency, consistency, and strengthening trusted supplier relationships.
You’ll hear where the Office is focusing its attention, the key pressure points emerging across the supply chain, and what to expect as the Code continues to shape how business gets done in Canada’s grocery sector.
Practical. Relevant. And directly connected to how you operate day to day.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Sales leaders, retail account managers, executives, compliance teams, and retailer partners.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
11:00 – 11:30 AM Fuel Your Growth: Meet the Federal Financing Partners Fueling Alberta’s Agri-Food Sector
Joya Sauder, Prairies Can | Celine Hildebrandt, FCC | Tushar Arifin, BDC
Ready to scale faster, invest smarter, and unlock new opportunities? Join us for a high-impact panel featuring FCC and BDC — the three federal financing partners fueling Alberta’s agri-food industry. In this informative session, you’ll get a crystal-clear look at who does what, what support they offer, and exactly when to knock on each partner’s door.
Expect to walk away with:
- A sharp understanding of how FCC and BDC differ — and which one fits your next move
- A clear map of loans, contributions, and advisory services that can accelerate your growth
- 2026 priorities that signal where the money and momentum are heading
- Direct connections to the federal teams ready to back Alberta processors.
- Whether you’re automating, expanding production, or pushing into new markets, this session gives you the knowledge — and the network — to power your next stage of growth.
Don’t just look for financing. Find the right partner.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Update from the Hill
Kristina Farrell | FBC
One-on One Conversation with Bianca Parsons
A candid conversation on what’s happening federally that matters to food and beverage processors.
Kristina will provide insight into:
- Key federal policy developments impacting food manufacturing
- Trade, tariffs, and interprovincial barriers
- Regulatory pressures and competitiveness concerns
- Labour, sustainability, and supply chain priorities
- What FBC is advocating for — and where government focus is heading next
This session will connect national advocacy to the day-to-day realities of Alberta processors, giving attendees clarity on what’s coming and how to prepare.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Executives, regulatory leads, association members, policy-minded leaders, and industry stakeholders.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
MAINSTAGE KEYNOTE 12:30 – 1:30 PM Burn Bright, Not Out
Jennifer Keable
Leadership, resilience, and building high-performing teams without burnout.
Jennifer will unpack the hidden habits and beliefs that quietly drive exhaustion — and share practical tools for managing energy, setting boundaries that protect performance, regulating stress, and redefining success without self-sacrifice.
You’ll leave with simple, actionable strategies to stay focused, resilient, and energized — at work and beyond.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Owners, HR leaders, managers, supervisors, emerging leaders, and high-performing teams.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
1:40 – 2:10 PM AI Adoption & Building a Culture of Curiosity
Pete Bishop, Partner, Director of Conversion | ZGM
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
2:10 – 2:40 PM Demystifying AI for Sales & Marketing
Adriel Michaud | Top Draw
How Food Companies Show Up in ChatGPT and Turn Visibility into Leads!
AI platforms are increasingly influencing how buyers research and shortlist suppliers and products – but most businesses don’t know how to appear in those AI-generated recommendations. This practical session breaks down, in plain language:
- How AI search differs from traditional search
- What signals AI tools use to decide which companies to mention
- Tangible steps food processors and industry service providers can take to improve visibility.
Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of how to audit their website for AI readability, along with a Monday-morning checklist to help future-proof their digital presence in a $28B industry.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Marketing professionals, sales leaders, founders, brand managers, and business development teams.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
2:40 – 3:10 PM Data & AI in Food Business
Colin Wenngatz, Partner | MNP Digitial
AI on the Plant Floor: Practical Applications for Food Processors
Artificial intelligence is already transforming food and beverage manufacturing by improving efficiency, quality, and decision-making across operations. For Alberta food processors, the opportunity lies in understanding where AI can deliver practical value today.
In this session, Colin Wenngatz, Partner at MNP Digital, will explore real-world applications of applied AI in manufacturing environments. Drawing on work with small and midsized processors, the discussion will highlight practical use cases such as automation, computer vision, and data-driven decision-making.
Designed for AFPA processor members, the session will demonstrate how AI solutions can scale across different levels of digital maturity to improve throughput, reduce waste, enhance quality control, and support sustainable growth.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
3:25 – 3:55 PM Emerging Nutrition Trends: Fibre, Protein & Pulse Innovation
Alberta Food Centre (Government of Alberta)
Consumer expectations are shifting — and formulation is evolving with them.
This session explores the growing demand for higher fibre, increased protein, and pulse-based innovation, and what it means for product development, positioning, and competitiveness. We’ll look at how nutrition trends, regulatory considerations, and evolving health drivers are influencing purchasing decisions and shaping the next wave of food innovation.
A forward-looking discussion to help processors stay relevant, responsive, and ready for what consumers want next.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Product development teams, R&D professionals, innovation managers, regulatory leads, and marketing teams.
3:55 – 4:30 PM Innovation in Action: What’s Coming Next
Matt Labine, NAIT (moderator) | Dave Pullar, Alberta Food Centre | Kristyn Carriere, 7 Summits Snacks | Dana Gibson, Alberta Innovates
This panel explores the major forces reshaping the future of food — evolving consumer behaviours, shifting regulatory environments, and changing research and innovation capacity. As market expectations and policy landscapes continue to move, processors must adapt quickly to remain competitive and growth-focused. A forward-looking discussion on how to navigate change and turn disruption into opportunity.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Executives, innovation leaders, R&D teams, strategic planners, and scaling businesses.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
10:15 – 11:05 AM The Application of AI to Improved Safety Performance
Glyn Jones | EHS Consulting, part of Bravo Target Safety
AI is rapidly transforming workplace safety — moving organizations from reactive response to predictive prevention.
This session explores how AI-powered tools are being used today to strengthen safety management systems, improve hazard recognition, enhance training through simulation, and assess fatigue or impairment risks. From computer vision to natural language processing and predictive analytics, you’ll see practical examples of how AI is helping reduce incidents and improve performance.
A focused look at how emerging technology can make workplaces safer — and smarter.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Safety professionals, operations managers, plant supervisors, compliance teams, and HR leaders.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
11:15 AM – 12:05 PM Common Pitfalls in Planning & Construction of a New Facility
Colin Saraka | Laporte Engineering
Expanding or building a new facility is one of the biggest investments a food business will make — and one of the easiest places to make costly mistakes.
This session explores common pitfalls in planning and construction, from setting realistic budgets and timelines to selecting the right building, planning scalable utilities, and designing layouts that prevent expensive rework later. Learn how early, informed decisions can reduce risk, control costs, and support long-term growth.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Owners, operations managers, plant managers, facilities managers, and companies planning expansion.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
1:30 – 2:20 PM How Digital Food Safety Systems Eliminate Risk & Boost Operational Performance
Tanguy Etoga | Normex
Food safety isn’t just compliance — it’s a competitive advantage.
This session explores how digital food safety systems are transforming the way processors manage risk, track data, and drive operational performance. You’ll learn how real-time monitoring, automated record keeping, and integrated analytics can reduce human error, streamline audits, and give your team more time to focus on quality and production.
A practical look at technology that strengthens safety and makes your business more efficient and resilient.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: QA managers, food safety professionals, operations leaders, plant managers, and compliance teams.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
2:30 – 3:20 PM Front-of-Package Labelling: What It Means for Your Products
Amy Hosking & Danni Kneeland | Food Safety Solutions
Canada’s new front-of-package nutrition labelling requirements are changing how products show up on shelf — and how consumers make decisions.
This session will break down what’s required, who is impacted, reformulation considerations, timeline realities, and practical steps processors should be taking now.
A practical briefing to help you stay compliant, competitive, and shelf-ready.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Regulatory teams, QA and Technical Managers, Product Development, Marketing leads, Founders, Brand managers.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
3:30 – 4:20 PM Lean Manufacturing in the Real World: How to Reduce Costs When Everything Else Is Rising
Greg Hastings | RIVR Solutions
With input costs, labour pressures, and margin compression hitting food and beverage processors from every direction, finding efficiencies is no longer optional. This session breaks down what lean manufacturing actually looks like in a food production environment — beyond theory and buzzwords.
We’ll explore practical ways processors are reducing waste, improving throughput, and tightening operations without major capital investment. From identifying hidden inefficiencies to empowering frontline teams and simplifying processes, this session focuses on real, actionable strategies that drive measurable cost savings.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where lean applies in their business and practical steps they can start implementing right away.
WHO THIS SESSION IS IDEAL FOR: Owners, operations leaders, plant managers, and continuous improvement teams.
This content is only available to AFPA Members.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Conference Sponsors
Conference Supporters
Session Sponsors
Print Sponsor
Video Sponsor
