Imagine the food and beverage supply chain of the future. Will it feature smarter, more efficient production lines? More resilient global logistics networks? Or perhaps hyper-personalized customization to meet consumer demands? Answers may emerge at the upcoming NextGen Supply Chain Conference, scheduled for October 22-24, 2025, at the W Hotel in Nashville.
This highly anticipated industry event has identified food and beverage as one of its four core focus areas, bringing together major brands like Dole and Diageo along with trade associations to explore critical issues that will shape supply chains for the next decade. The conference aims to create a collaborative platform helping companies navigate evolving regulations while achieving scalable growth through innovative production models.
Addressing Industry Challenges, Shaping Future Solutions
The food and beverage track at NextGen 2025 will tackle several pressing issues through expert-led discussions:
Regulatory Evolution
With growing consumer focus on food safety and sustainability, regulatory landscapes continue shifting. IFMA's Phil Kafarakis will share insights on adapting to new compliance requirements.
Scalable Growth Strategies
Our Home's Timothy Egan will discuss maintaining agility during rapid expansion in a fireside chat offering practical growth lessons for mid-sized companies.
Last-Mile Delivery Innovations
Retail giants including Walmart will reveal cutting-edge approaches to efficient, cost-effective product distribution that enhance customer satisfaction.
Operational Excellence
Dole Packaged Foods' Todd Stillwell will deliver a keynote on driving innovation and efficiency in competitive markets.
Industry Leaders Share Visionary Perspectives
Beyond these core topics, NextGen 2025 will feature over 50 executives and thought leaders across consumer goods, life sciences, and logistics sectors. Diageo's Lisa Drane will present the Visionary Keynote, sharing her company's supply chain expertise as a global beverage leader.
Current Challenges and Emerging Opportunities
Today's food and beverage supply chains face unprecedented complexity:
- Globalized networks requiring coordination across multiple regions
- Evolving consumer preferences around health, sustainability and customization
- Technological disruption from IoT, AI and blockchain applications
Simultaneously, transformative opportunities are emerging:
- Digital transformation enabling smarter, more responsive operations
- Sustainability initiatives reducing environmental impact while cutting costs
- Personalization through data analytics meeting individualized consumer needs
Conference Highlights
Key features of NextGen 2025's food and beverage programming include:
- Executive insights from major brands like Dole, Diageo and Walmart
- Deep dives into regulatory adaptation, growth strategies and logistics innovation
- Networking opportunities with peers, experts and solution providers
Who Should Attend?
The conference is designed for:
- Food and beverage supply chain professionals
- Logistics service providers
- Technology solution developers
- Industry consultants and analysts
The NextGen Supply Chain Conference promises to be a landmark event for professionals navigating the transformation of food and beverage distribution networks. By addressing critical challenges while exploring innovative solutions, this gathering will help shape more efficient, sustainable and responsive supply chains for the future.