The next 5-10 years will present a significant challenge for global business, with a new event promising to help business leaders navigate the ‘biggest period of global change since the industrial revolution’.
The inaugural Food Vision summit, developed by William Reed Business Media – publishers of FoodNavigator and NutraIngredients – will be held in Cannes, France, from 20 to 22 March this year, and annually thereafter.
The event is being chaired by James Bellini, a world-leading futurologist, author and broadcaster .
“Our journey to the future will be shaped by fundamental shifts that will reshape the map of world economic power to 2020 and beyond, affecting global trade flows and – of course – the creation and consumption of food,” said Bellini.
“We’re in the biggest period of global change since the industrial revolution. Food Vision will help us navigate our way through it.”
The list of speakers and contributors from industry includes Arla Foods, Coca Cola, General Mills , NASA and Unilever, as well as authors , analysts and commentators who give voice to fresh insight and informed comment.
Pragmatic
Christina Wood, event development director at William Reed Business Media, explained that Food Vision is taking an, “unashamedly pragmatic approach. It’s less concerned with the bits and bytes of food science and more concerned with how that science must be applied if market opportunities are to be grasped.
“And nobody should be in any doubt that world markets are changing rapidly – and in ways that are increasingly hard to predict.
“Food businesses around the world are looking for new ways to foster innovation, anticipate market change and align product development activities with contemporary consumer appetites. Our aim at Food Vision is to help them harness developments in food science and technology in order to create the products that today’s consumers – and tomorrow’s – will buy.”
Franck Metzger, executive director of FoodNavigator and NutraIngredients, added: “We are creating a unique summit where business leaders can address, in confidence, the issues that impact their futures, and the innovatory approaches that will bring success in a global economy that remains challenging.
“Food Vision will look at food science through the focused lens of commercial interest to identify strategies for profitability and growth.”
The event will close with an interactive debate, led by Bellini and the editors of FoodNavigator and NutraIngredients. In the debate, the audience will be invited to have the final word on the issues raised at Food Vision.
“We’ll use interactive voting technology to capture audience opinions, views and future projections for our industry and publish the results in our media,” said Metzger. “More than any other event, Food Vision will give a voice to the individuals shaping this industry.”
Partners
Food Vision is being supported by four world-leading businesses: DSM Nutritional Products, DuPont, Barry Callebaut, and Cosucra.
As partners of Food Vision, these companies will head delegations of decision makers from their own client organisations, contributing to an international audience of senior level decision makers from worldwide food, drink and nutrition businesses.
All four businesses are proven innovators in their fields and will make a valuable contribution to Food Vision’s programme, which is focused on the key themes of innovation and sustainability as sources of commercial advantage.
“Food Vision provides an exciting platform for food and nutrition businesses to dialogue on future trends and opportunities – from global innovation priorities to specific innovation opportunities within individual companies,” said Dr James Bauly, DSM Nutritional Products, Europe, Ltd.
“The event’s forward looking format promises deep insight, thought provoking conversations and valuable networking, while the involvement of William Reed Business Media assures high quality and additional leverage throughout the industry.”
Craig Binetti, President, DuPont Nutrition & Health, added: “At DuPont, we believe there's a science to feeding the world and ensuring food security and safety. We also strongly believe that collaboration and inclusive innovation is critical to success.
“As Food Vision is bringing together key decision makers from global food and beverage businesses, we look forward to working with partners on how to create sustainable and workable solutions that will shape and transform the industry of tomorrow.”
Platform for new insights
“At Barry Callebaut, we do more than just produce chocolate: We constantly look for ways to respond to new consumer preferences, tastes and values. Food Vision offers us a platform to get new insights, exchange thoughts and challenge our own ideas,” said Peter Boone, Chief Innovation Officer, Barry Callebaut.
Michel Dewael, Commercial Director, Cosucra, added: “Cosucra is committed to active partnership and works closely with clients to foster innovation. We add value by being more than a supplier, working with food manufacturers to create the functional foods of tomorrow. Supporting Food Vision is part of that commitment.”
