What will the food and beverage supply chain of the future look like? Will it feature more efficient production processes, smarter logistics, or greater agility in responding to market changes? The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference will bring together industry leaders to explore these critical questions and chart a new blueprint for the future of supply chains.
Conference Overview: Spotlight on Food and Beverage Industry Transformation
The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference will take place from October 22-24 at the W Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. With food and beverage as one of its four core focus areas, the event aims to convene the sector's most influential brands and associations to address emerging trends and supply chain challenges. Over 50 senior executives and thought leaders from across industries are expected to participate in shaping the future of supply chains.
In addition to food and beverage, the conference will cover consumer packaged goods (CPG), life sciences, and third-party logistics (3PL), offering comprehensive industry insights and networking opportunities.
Food and Beverage Track: Key Themes Shaping the Next Decade
The dedicated food and beverage sessions will examine critical issues impacting supply chain evolution, including:
- Regulatory framework evolution: How can companies navigate increasingly complex compliance requirements?
- Scalability challenges: What innovative production models can help mid-sized businesses achieve rapid growth?
- Last-mile delivery optimization: How can companies enhance efficiency while reducing costs and improving customer experience?
Industry Leaders Share Strategic Insights
The conference features an impressive roster of food and beverage executives who will share their expertise:
- Lisa Drane of Diageo will deliver the visionary opening keynote on future supply chain development.
- Phil Kafarakis of IFMA will analyze evolving regulatory landscapes and compliance strategies.
- Timothy Egan of Our Home will present case studies on scaling operations during rapid growth phases.
- Walmart representatives and other experts will share practical last-mile delivery solutions.
- Todd Stillwell of Dole Packaged Foods will conclude with a forward-looking keynote on innovation-driven supply chain efficiency.
Deep Dive: Critical Industry Challenges
Navigating Regulatory Complexity
Food safety, labeling requirements, and environmental regulations continue to evolve. Companies must monitor policy changes closely while engaging with industry associations to help shape practical compliance frameworks.
Overcoming Growth Barriers
Mid-sized producers face significant hurdles in scaling operations. Strategic investments in R&D, production optimization, and channel expansion - complemented by potential M&A activity - can accelerate growth trajectories.
Solving the Last-Mile Puzzle
As the most costly and inefficient supply chain segment, last-mile delivery requires smart logistics technologies, route optimization, and strategic partnerships with specialized 3PL providers to reduce expenses while maintaining service quality.
Driving Innovation and Efficiency
Continuous product innovation must be balanced with operational excellence. Advanced data analytics for demand forecasting and inventory management can significantly reduce waste while improving responsiveness to shifting consumer preferences.
Who Should Attend?
The conference is designed for:
- Food and beverage supply chain, production, logistics, and procurement executives
- CPG and life sciences supply chain professionals
- 3PL service providers
- Industry analysts, academics, and investors
Key Conference Benefits
Attendees will gain:
- Actionable insights on emerging industry trends
- Proven strategies from market leaders
- Valuable networking opportunities
- Exposure to innovative supply chain solutions