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Food Forward Summit 2026
Canada's agri-food innovation and trade summit connects agriculture, aquaculture, food manufacturers, agtech, investors, buyers, distributors, policymakers, and international market partners.
Oct 8, 2026
👥 2,000+ Decision-Makers Expected
The International Centre, Mississauga, Canada
🏢 Innovation Expo and Partner Ecosystem
Who Should Attend
Food & Agriculture Executives
Leadership teams can follow policy, trade, investment and food-system strategy rather than product sourcing alone.
Investors & Commercialization Partners
The agenda's capital and innovation themes make it relevant to people evaluating technologies and scalable food businesses.
Agri-Food Innovators & Startups
Founders can connect with corporate leaders, investors and market-access partners through the innovation ecosystem.
Policy, Research & Food-System Leaders
Researchers, associations and public-sector professionals can engage on food security, regulation, science and market access.
Top Reasons to Attend
1
Strategy Rather Than Trade-Fair Sourcing
Food Forward is a summit. Attend for ideas, capital, policy and relationships, not rows of machinery suppliers.
2
Three-Theatre 2026 Agenda
Leadership, Innovation and Community create distinct tracks across policy, capital, science and market access.
3
Cross-Food-System Network
The audience spans agriculture, CPG, research, policy, investment and food security, useful for issues that cannot be solved inside one category.
4
Commercialization Connections
Innovators can meet organizations capable of funding, buying, piloting or scaling new solutions.
5
Executive Perspective
Use the event to challenge strategic assumptions and identify issues that may affect the business beyond the next purchasing cycle.
What You'll See & Do
🔎
Leadership Theatre
Prioritize sessions dealing with strategy, trade, policy and decisions affecting established food businesses.
💡
Innovation Theatre
Use technology and science sessions to evaluate where innovation is commercially mature versus still experimental.
🔎
Community Theatre
Follow discussions connecting food access, communities and the broader social role of the food system.
💡
Innovation Challenge
Founders and investors should use the challenge to identify emerging companies and commercialization opportunities.
🤝
Speaker Networking
The value of a summit often lies in targeted conversations with speakers and attendees, so plan meetings around the agenda.
🤝
Buyer Networking
Commercial connections with decision-makers.
🏢 Are you Exhibiting at This Event?
Register your company on AgriLinkage to connect with qualified buyers before, during, and after the event. Over 50,000 buyers search AgriLinkage monthly to find suppliers.
✓ Pre-Event Visibility: Buyers can find your booth before they arrive
✓ Direct Inquiries: Receive qualified leads through our platform
✓ Post-Event Connections: Continue conversations after the show ends
✓ No Commission: We only charge exhibitors, buyers contact you for free
💼 Attending as a Business Professional?
Register as a business visitor to get exhibitor alerts, networking opportunities, and priority notifications when companies in your sector register. Free for all business attendees.
✓ Exhibitor Alerts: Get notified when suppliers you're interested in register
✓ Pre-Event Connections: Schedule meetings before you arrive at the show
✓ Booth Locations: We'll tell you exactly where your targets are located
✓ Networking Matches: Connect with other buyers in your industry
The International Centre is minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport and connected to the Greater Toronto Area by highways and regional transit.
The International Centre is minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport and connected to the Greater Toronto Area by highways and regional transit.
Where to Stay
These are practical business-travel options for the event. Compare current event-week rates, cancellation policies, and transport time before booking.
Tools & Services for Attendees
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Post-Event CRM & Lead Management
📦 DHL Express — Exhibition Shipping
Verify customs, temporary import, food, plant, animal, alcohol, or machinery documentation before shipping.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When is Food Forward Summit 2026?
October 8, 2026.
2. Where is it held?
The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, beside Toronto Pearson International Airport.
3. Who should attend?
Agriculture and aquaculture companies, food manufacturers, CPG brands, agtech founders, investors, buyers, distributors, policymakers, and innovation organizations.
4. Can international attendees request visa support?
Registered attendees may request a visa support letter, although the organizer does not provide visa processing.
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