About The Event.
Plant Forward is the first-ever international event showcasing Canada’s plant-based ingredient and food supply and innovation.
We're inviting CEOs, CFOs, R&D leaders and investors at the forefront of the global food industry to:
- Gain diverse perspectives from leaders on the future of plant-forward
- Learn more about Canada’s integrated plant-based ecosystem
- Meet key players and find opportunities for unique collaborations
- Understand the natural production, sustainability and geographical advantages Canada has to offer
Together, we'll have conversations about how the industry is evolving, what challenges lie ahead and what investors are paying attention to.
The future of food is plant-based. The future of food is Canada.
The future of food is here.
Leading the Conversation.
Perspectives on the future of food from global leaders and Canadian innovators.
Here are the last conference's leading speakers.
2022 Agenda.
The two-day event is a mixture of speakers and panellists highlighting innovations and solutions in the plant-based sector both in Canada and across the globe.
Breakfast
Opening Ceremony
Keynote: The Future of Food
Panel: A Plant-Based Future from a Multi-National Perspective
Networking Break
Presentation and Panel: Achieving Sustainability Goals – A Deeper Understanding of Challenges and Opportunities
Panel: Value Chain Perspectives on Achieving Sustainability Goals
Lunch
Panel: Perspectives on Sustainable Sourcing - Location and Processing Impacts
Presentation: Tech Convergence - Opportunities to Leverage Adjacent Sectors to Advance Plant-Based
Networking Break
Presentation: AI Spotlight
Presentation: The Future for Plant-Based Technology
Panel: Technology Solutions for Future Plant-Based Challenges
Setting the Stage for Day 2
Networking Reception
Breakfast
Opening Presentation: Consumer Perceptions in the Plant-Based Market
Panel: Plant-Based Perspectives of North American Retailers
Panel: Whitespace Opportunities for the Plant-Based Sector's Future
Networking Break
Presentation: Trends in Plant-Based Financing
Panel: Aligning Consumer Drivers with Investment Opportunities
Lunch
Presentation: Unlocking ESG Capital for Plant-Based Protein
Panel: Novel to Staple Goods: Moving Plant-Based Along the Adoption Curve
Networking Break
Presentation and Panel: Game Changers - Canadian Opportunities in Alternative Proteins
Panel: Ecosystem Support for the Plant-Forward Sector
Keynote: Curated Reflections of the Future of Plant-Based Foods
Closing Remarks
More Speakers.
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Aadit PatelHead of Machine Learning & EngineeringNotCo
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Adam GroganPresidentGreenleaf Foods
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Andrew IveGeneral Managing PartnerBig Idea Ventures
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Charles BuhagiarSenior Category ManagerMetro Ontario
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Chris BrysonFounder & Chief Executive OfficerNew School Foods
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Chris ThealFounder, President & Chief Executive OfficerPhyto Organix Foods
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Dan MaglioccoPresidentDanone Canada
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David DzisiakChief Operating OfficerBotaneco
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Denis Tremorin, MSc, PAgDirector, SustainabilityPulse Canada
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Dror BalshineFounder & PresidentSol Cuisine
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Dustyn LanzSenior AdvisorESG Global Advisors
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Evan Fraser, PhDProfessor, Geography, Environment & GeomaticsUniversity of Guelph
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Fei LuoCo-Founder and Chief Executive OfficerLiven Proteins
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Friedrich BüseFounderEndori
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George SutherlandAdvisor, Climate Change & SustainabilityBMO Financial Group
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Heather CourtneyFounder & Chief Executive OfficerAlwyn Capital
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Holly AdrienNatural and Organic Strategy and Innovation ManagerThe Kroger Co.
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J. Blair Knippel, CPA, CA, CPAChief Financial OfficerT Base 4 Investments/O.M.D. Food Products
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Jasmin Hume, PhDFounder & Chief Executive OfficerShiru
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Jennifer StojkovicGeneral PartnerJoyful Ventures
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Jeremy BurksExecutive Vice PresidentRoquette
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Jim MillingtonChief Executive OfficerCanada Protein Ingredients Ltd.
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Joseph LakeChief Executive OfficerCanadian Food Innovation Network
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Joyce BoyeDirector GeneralAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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JP FrossardVice President, Consumer FoodsRabobank
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Julie Emsing MannPlant-based thought leaderAppropriately Rogue Consulting
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Karen McAthyCo-Founder & Chief Executive OfficerLumi Foods
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Karen McClureChief Investment OfficerDigital Technology Supercluster
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Kim FrankovichGlobal Vice President, SustainabilityGriffith Foods
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Leslie EwingExecutive DirectorPlant-Based Foods of Canada
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Lindsay McCorkleDirector, Ventures & Growth Equity InvestmentsBlue Horizon
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Margaret HughesVice President, Sales & MarketingAvena Foods
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Martin WilliamsCo-Founder, President & Chief Innovation OfficerAbove Foods
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Maurice BouvierAssistant Deputy MinisterIndustry Advancement Division of Manitoba Agriculture
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Mehmet TulbekPresidentSaskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre
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Melanie LevineManager, Food & AgricultureWorld Business Council for Sustainable Development
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Michael AucoinChief Executive OfficerEat & Beyond Global Holdings Inc.
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Michael LinesPresident & Chief Executive OfficerSimplyProtein
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Michael NatalePlant Protein LeaderIngredion
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Murad Al-KatibPresident & Chief Executive OfficerAGT Food and Ingredients
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Naniss Gadel-RabGeneral Manager, NutritionUnilever Canada
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Nicole BamberPhD Candidate, IGS BiologyThe University of British Columbia
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Priera PanescuLead Plant Protein ScientistThe Good Food Institute
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Ryan BrackenCo-Chief Executive OfficerMerit Functional Foods
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Shelley KingChief Executive OfficerNatural Products Canada
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Simon SmallGeneral Manager, AmericasJordans Dorset Ryvita
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Steve GeorgeCo-Founder & Chief Executive OfficerTerra Bio
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Thierry DuvanelDirector of InnovationBuhler Group
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Tom OgarankoChief Innovation OfficerTrustBIX Inc.
Venue.
The Westin Harbour Castle
Plant Forward will be hosted at The Westin Harbour Castle—a harbourfront hotel brimming with sophisticated style and premium amenities. Located in the revived waterfront district, The Westin offers direct access to some of Toronto's most noteworthy sites, high-end shopping and delicious restaurants.
Hotel block closed.
Don’t Miss Out.
Over the course of two days, Plant Forward will demonstrate the strength and integrity of Canada’s integrated supply chain, highlight sustainability initiatives and the latest innovations happening in Canadian crops and ingredients, and provide insights from trailblazing companies who have chosen Canada as their preferred place to invest in plant-based innovation.
Registration is now closed.
Rates:
Access to all Plant Forward in-person sessions including networking opportunities.
Virtual access to event sessions, includes virtual access to all Plant Forward speaker sessions. Q&A and networking opportunities are unavailable for virtual pass.
Important Registration Information:
- Registration closes October 28, 2022
- Early bird registration rates are available April 1 – July 31, 2022
- Plant Forward will follow the government-mandated COVID-19 regulations in place at the time of the event
- There will be no on-site registrations for Plant Forward. Attendees must be registered prior to coming on-site
- View the cancellation policy here
- See who’s attending Plant Forward!