Hosted by the City of Brampton, the 3rd Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit will gather Mayor Patrick Brown, Brampton Councillors, the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, and leading voices from the food and beverage business community to discuss challenges and opportunities in the global food and beverage sector, with a focus on global growth, innovation, and sector development.
Location: Pearson Convention Center, Brampton (2638 Steeles Ave E, Brampton ON L6T 4L7)
Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Event Agenda: Mayor Brown’s Third Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit
Agenda
10:00 a.m. – Doors Open / Registration / Tradeshow Exhibits
- Networking, refreshments and tradeshow exhibits open
10:30 a.m. – Land Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks
10:40 a.m. – Keynote Address – Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
- Join renowned food industry expert Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, often referred to as ‘The Food Professor’, as he explores the evolving dynamics of food sector competitiveness. Drawing on global insights and cutting-edge research, Dr. Charlebois will uncover the trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the future of food and beverage processing in Canada and beyond.
11:10 a.m. – Panel Discussion: Compete, Diversify, Transform: Shaping Canada’s Global Food Future
- Panel Discussion moderated by Brad Bida, Partner at MNP, in conversation with industry leaders exploring strategies from Brampton on how Canadian food companies can lead globally through innovation, diversification, and collaboration. Insights from MNP’s “Global Agri-Food – Most Influential Nations Ranking” report will also be highlighted.
- Panelists:
- Ashley Kanary, Director, Global Agri-Food at Export Development Canada
- Kiran Mann, CEO, Brar’s
- Brad Bida, Partner, MNP
- Alain Brandon, Vice President, Sustainability, Social Impact & Gov’t Relation, Loblaw Companies Limited
11:30 a.m. – Networking Break: Group Photo Opportunity and Exhibits Re-Open
12:00 p.m. – Leading the Charge: Energy, Climate, and the Business of Food: A Fireside Chat
- Fireside Chat with Maple Lodge Farms and Matt Brunette, Program Manager, Energy Performance, Partners in Project Green exploring how industry leaders are driving energy performance and climate action through innovation in Canada’s food processing sector.
12:15 p.m. – Economic Outlook 2026
- Economic Overview and Outlook with BDC’s Chief Economist, Pierre Cléroux
12:45 p.m. – Remarks
- The Honourable David Piccini, Ontario Minister Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
12:50 p.m. – Closing Remarks
- Mayor Patrick Brown, City of Brampton
12:55 p.m. – Networking Lunch and Tradeshow Exhibits Re-Open (1h 5 minutes)
2:00 p.m. – Event Concludes
Note: Various services and programs will be showcased at exhibitor resource tables throughout the event.
Click here for the second annual Brampton Food and Beverage Processing Summit highlights
Click here for full event agenda.
Read more about Brampton’s Food and Beverage Processing Sector.
