What will the dining table of the future look like? The answers—whether centered on safety, efficiency, sustainability, or personalization—lie in the transformative shifts occurring within the food and beverage supply chain. Industry leaders pioneering these changes will take center stage at the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, where the sector has been named one of four core focus areas.
Scheduled for October 22–24 at Nashville’s W Hotel, the event will convene over 50 senior executives and thought leaders to explore emerging trends and solutions.
Industry Titans Share Strategic Insights
The food and beverage track features an exceptional lineup of speakers:
- Diageo’s Visionary Outlook: Lisa Drane, the beverage giant’s supply chain leader, will deliver the opening keynote on leveraging innovation to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability.
- Regulatory Navigation: IFMA President Phil Kafarakis will decode evolving compliance frameworks, offering guidance for adapting to new policy landscapes.
- Hypergrowth Strategies: Our Home CEO Timothy Egan will reveal tactics behind the company’s rapid expansion during an intimate fireside chat.
- Last-Mile Logistics: Practical collaboration models with retailers like Walmart will be examined to optimize final-stage delivery networks.
- Innovation-Driven Efficiency: Dole Packaged Foods President Todd Stillwell will present methodologies for accelerating growth through technological advancement.
Four Pillars of Supply Chain Transformation
Beyond food and beverage, the conference will address critical challenges across complementary sectors:
- Consumer Packaged Goods: Sessions will explore demand forecasting and portfolio optimization in competitive markets.
- Life Sciences: Experts will discuss securing pharmaceutical supply chains while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Logistics Providers: Technological applications for enhancing third-party logistics services will be a focal point.
Program Highlights
The three-day agenda features:
- Keynote presentations from Fortune 500 executives
- Panel discussions on operational challenges
- Case studies demonstrating measurable success
- Technology demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge solutions
Notable sessions include Diageo’s opening address on future-proofing supply networks, Our Home’s growth blueprint, and Dole’s efficiency optimization framework. Retail logistics strategies will be examined through Walmart’s last-mile delivery case study.
Target Audience
The conference is designed for:
- C-suite executives across food production, CPG, healthcare, and logistics
- Supply chain, procurement, and operations leadership
- Professionals engaged in digital transformation initiatives
Attendees will gain exposure to industry benchmarks, establish valuable professional connections, and discover partnership opportunities with solution providers.