Together towards a sustainable supply chain
From producer to consumer: creating value in every link for a more beautiful, tastier, and healthier future.
The world of supply chains is changing rapidly. Sustainability, health, and taste are no longer separate themes, but indispensable links in a chain that creates value from producer to consumer. How can you respond to this and work with partners to build a future that is both responsible and successful? On May 7, 2026, we would like to invite you to our exclusive customer event. During this inspiring day, you will discover how to seize opportunities in a sustainable chain and how collaboration is the key to impact.
Program
11:30 – 12:00 | Doors open
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch
13:15 – 13:30 | Welcome address
13:30 – 14:30 | Keynote: Koen Schoors
14:30 – 15:00 | Break
15:00 – 16:00 | Breakout sessions:
16:00 – 16:30 | Break
16:30 – 17:30 | Closing presentation
17:30 – 19:00 | Networking drinks and BBQ
Keynote
Imagine a world where the rules of the food industry are changing faster than ever. Where raw materials are under pressure, supply chains are constantly shifting, and technology — with AI as the catalyst — determines who stays ahead of the game. During this event, Koen Schoors will take you on a journey into precisely that world.
With his sharp insight and clear analysis, he paints a thought-provoking — and sometimes confrontational — picture of what lies ahead. Don’t expect abstract theory, but insights that get to the heart of the food sector and make you look at your own business differently.
What do geopolitical tensions and scarcity mean for your supply chain? How can AI help you produce, predict and manage more intelligently? And above all: where do the opportunities lie for those who dare to think ahead today?
Let yourself be challenged, surprised and inspired. One thing is certain: after this keynote, you’ll look at the future of food with fresh eyes.
Keynote: Koen Schoors (Ghent University)
Our keynote speaker is Koen Schoors, Professor of Economics at Ghent University and one of Belgium’s most influential economic voices. With his sharp, data-driven insight, he places sustainability and economic reality within a broader perspective. Expect an inspiring session where strategy, realism and a vision for the future come together, challenging you to look beyond the issues of the day.
Breakout sessions: in-depth exploration of three topical themes
Practical sessions for QA & Food Safety professionals. Put together your own programme now:
A changing market, new risks: Bacillus cereus on the rise – by Prof. Dr. Ir. Frank Devlieghere – Ghent University 15:00–16:00
Consumer trends towards plant-based, minimally processed and ‘clean label’ products create new opportunities, but also bring new microbiological risks. Bacillus cereus is appearing with increasing frequency in this changing product landscape and requires a well-considered approach to production and storage. In this session, Frank Devlieghere demonstrates how this bacterium behaves in different product matrices and under varying storage conditions. You will discover how to identify and manage risks in a timely manner, whilst retaining scope for innovation in a market where food safety and consumer confidence are paramount.
Labelling as a strategic tool 15:00-16:00
Consumers want transparency, clear information and sustainable choices, whilst companies also want to position their products attractively on the shelf. In this session, you will discover how to skilfully navigate the tension between what is permitted, what you want to communicate and what consumers expect. In this way, you can turn your label into more than just information: a powerful communication tool that entices without misleading and strengthens trust in your brand. You’ll also receive practical tools to better support this.
From brand promise to measurable shelf performance 15:00–16:00
Does your product really perform on the shelf as you think it does? Discover how data and real-time consumer feedback provide insights into shelf performance, product consistency and targeted optimisations, ensuring your brand promise holds up with consumers. These insights help you respond more quickly to deviations in the shopper experience and make informed choices regarding category and brand strategy, ensuring your product performs consistently at every stage of the customer journey. Because ultimately, the consumer decides: do I buy this again or not?
The impact of AI on the future of the food industry
How can you really extract value from data today? And what does AI actually mean for the future of the food industry?
During the closing plenary session, we’ll take you on an inspiring journey exploring the power of data and AI within the sector. Not some distant pipe dream, but tangible applications and insights that are already making a difference today — from smarter predictions and more efficient processes to better decision-making.
We’ll show you how data and AI are opening up new possibilities throughout the entire chain: from production and the supply chain to customer insight and innovation. Where do the biggest opportunities lie? And how do you take the first — or next — step?
Be inspired by what’s already possible today, and discover what tomorrow holds. A powerful finale that not only gets you thinking, but above all makes you want to get started yourself.