2014 Global Sustainability Summit: Overview

WHAT'S NEW

Attendees can access the session presentations on both our conference microsite and conference mobile app - just click on the session titles on the program page of this website or the presentations tab in our mobile app.

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

As companies continue to grow globally, so does the reach of our sustainability programs. Which is why in 2014, The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) have elevated the international scope of our premier food, beverage and CPG industry sustainability event to create the Global Sustainability Summit.

The 2014 Global Summit will give companies the tools, connections and proactive solutions to take their sustainability programs to the next level. From domestic agriculture to developing markets, the Global Summit will bring together leading experts to address the topics companies around the globe are facing today and in the future.

What will this event cover?

The Global Sustainability Summit is designed to help companies with all levels of awareness, expertise and global reach incorporate sustainability into every aspect of their business model.

Keynote sessions will feature some of the world’s leading thinkers and change agents focused on the most pressing issues in the industry – including incorporating sustainable solutions from the ground up, reducing waste in the supply chain and creating new and innovative incentives for consumers in the future.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tailor their conference experience by selecting sessions from different Strategic Areas of Focus.

Emerging Issues and Trends

To include but not limited to: Leading-edge global ideas; innovations currently changing the world of sustainability; research and compelling success stories (from both within and outside the food industry) “What don’t I know that I don’t know”; what will be shaping the industry in ten years

Technology and Innovation

To include but not limited to: solutions for measuring and managing sustainability; increasing traceability and transparency; emerging opportunities and best practices for linking and leveraging sustainability to common mobile platforms; new twists on old technology

Packaging and Waste

To include but not limited to: solving infrastructure issues; essential collaboration and communication with stakeholders; engaging employees and consumers to reduce waste; packaging innovations; food waste reduction successes and failures from global to local

Education and Communications

To include but not limited to: Sustainability story telling for consumers and executives; examples of success in communications; using technology/social media to connect with new audiences/better connect with current audiences; making sustainability meaningful from C-suite to customers; new insights from youth consumer panels; exploration of innovative tools and platforms in social media

Natural Resource Challenges

To include but not limited to: trends; predictions; cost of risk; preparing for the future of constrained resources; water; emerging tools and solutions; stakeholder engagement; governmental/societal challenges or opportunities for engagement

Sustainable Supply Chain and Sourcing

To include but not limited to: new sourcing tools; risks and opportunities with current and future high-impact commodities; breakthrough examples of successful solutions; emerging issues including social issues, audits and actions

Sustainable Agriculture and Seafood

To include but not limited to: defining sustainable agriculture; barriers and opportunities; dialogue between farmers, ranchers and the supply chain; examples of sustainable fisheries partnerships and sourcing tools

The Global Summit is jointly hosted by the FMI/GMA Trading Partner Alliance. FMI and GMA’s combined leadership in this area has produced the premier international sustainability event for the food and consumer products industry, bringing together leading retailers, manufacturers, government and advocacy groups from around the world to learn together, network and seek common solutions to challenges at home and around the globe.