## [Southwest Food Innovation Summit 2025](/event/southwest-food-innovation-summit-2025) #### Dates Jun 03, 2025 8:00:am - Jun 03, 2025 2:00:pm [Register](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-west-food-innovation-summit-tickets-1289957500609?aff=oddtdtcreator) Join us on **Tuesday, June 3rd, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM** for the South West Food Innovation Summit, a dynamic event designed to connect you with the heart of the region's thriving food and beverage ecosystem. For a registration fee of just **$20**, you'll gain exclusive access to a powerful network of industry leaders, innovative resources, and actionable strategies to drive your business forward. ### **Keynote:** ![](https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F1009431473%2F97872030823%2F1%2Foriginal.20250415-153217?h=740&w=1200&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&s=b536b13a9cb1c63af9cdf9e6516ca365) **Andreas Düss | Wayfinder. Decoder. Meaning Maker.** Internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, and CEO, **Andreas** **Düss** is on a mission: **to help food businesses thrive in a world transformed by AI, data, and shifting consumer behaviour.** With over 20 years of global experience spanning brand innovation, food and beverage, and the future of technology, Andreas delivers keynotes that don’t just inform — they **inspire action** and **unlock new possibilities.** He has delivered hundreds of keynotes around the world, including for leading industry organizations like **USA Rice**, **USAEDC**, and the **International Peanut Forum**. As co-founder of 6 Seeds Consulting and author of *Friction-Less: How AI Can Overcome Friction and Transform Your Business*, Andreas is a sought-after guide for those who need clarity and strategy in an unpredictable world. **What makes Andreas different?** He doesn’t just talk about the future. **He’s shaping it.** ### **Agenda:** - **8:30 AM:** Kickstart your day with valuable **Networking & our vibrant Tradeshow**. - **9:00 AM:** **Opening Remarks**. - **9:15 AM - 10:00 AM:** Don't miss our internationally recognized Keynote Speaker, **Andreas Düss (CEO, 6 Seeds Consulting)**, a leading voice on AI, data, and consumer behavior in the food sector. - **10:00 AM - 10:30 AM:** Gain crucial market insights from our **Trends in the Industry Panel** featuring **Karen Cardona (True Leaves Consulting),** **Marsha Drucker (Canadian Food Innovation Network)** and experts from **Farm Credit Canada**. - **11:00 AM - 11:30 AM:** Understand government support and opportunities with our **Government Partners Panel**, including **Ryan Thibert (Export Development Canada)**, **Taylor Bentley (Trade Commissioner Service)**, and **Kevin Montgomery (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness)**. - **11:30 AM - 12:00 PM:** Be inspired by the journeys of local success stories on our **Entrepreneurial Panel** with **Wallace Franca (Frittos and Co)**, **Beckie Prime (Beck's Broth)**, and **Matt Swann (Coppa Inc)**. - **12:00 PM - 1:30 PM:** Celebrate innovation with the **Announcement of the "Flourish Award" - Best New Product 2025 Winner** followed by a delicious **Lunch** featuring local producers. - **1:30 PM - 2:30 PM:** Get an inside look with a **Tour of The Grove and Fanshawe CRI’s brand new Packaging Advancement Centre**. ### **Why You Should Attend** The South West Food Innovation Summit isn't just another industry event; it's your gateway to unlocking the region's thriving food and beverage ecosystem. Step into a day where innovation meets opportunity, where you can directly connect with the key players—from influential founders and industry experts to vital support services in distribution, marketing, and product development. Discover how to leverage cutting-edge resources, including AI, and plug into the infrastructure that will propel your business forward. Unlike any other event, we're creating a powerful hub for collaboration and growth. Leave with invaluable insights, actionable strategies, and the connections you need to weather today's economic challenges and drive your success in Canada's dynamic food and beverage landscape. ### **Event Highlights:** - Connect with key players in the South West Ontario food and beverage ecosystem. - Gain insights from industry experts and influential founders. - Explore innovative resources, including AI, and infrastructure access. - Learn strategies to navigate economic challenges and drive growth. - Network with vital support services in the Networking Hall. - Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local producers. ### **Event Details:** - **Date:** Tuesday, June 3rd - **Time:** 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM - **Registration Fee:** $20 - **Location:** The Grove at Western Fair District, 900 King St, London, ON N5W 5K3 - **Parking:** Plenty of Free Parking Available - **Lunch:** Provided from local producers **Enter the "Flourish Award" Competition - Best New Product 2025** The Flourish Award provides a platform for food & beverage businesses to showcase their products, generate excitement, and connect with industry leaders. The award recognizes the most exciting new food or beverage product launched in the past 12 months. **Application deadline:** May 16, 2025 **Criteria:** \- Applicants must be a Canadian-owned small business in Southwest Ontario region, ideally in the food and beverage sector, with a focus on innovative consumer packaged goods (CPG). \- The product must have been launched or be set to launch in 2025, with a clear go-to-market plan and initial production capabilities. \- The product should demonstrate originality, solve a consumer need, and have potential to succeed in the marketplace. **Grand Prize** valued at over $25,000 featuring services that will help scale their business: -R&D Project carried out with Fanshawe CRI -Legal Consultation from Siskinds **Enter now:** [https://form.jotform.com/rfanshawe/bestnewproduct2025](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/form.jotform.com/rfanshawe/bestnewproduct2025___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzpiYjU1YjBiNzg0OTU1YjRiN2YxNzA5ZWRkMjM1YjNmYTo3OmI1Mzc6MTY3M2M3NmJmMGQ3MWVlMmNjNzAzNGMwYzBmMmJjODc5YjNjZTFiN2NlYTYwYmY0NjVjYmUzZjIyMzIzYzJlNTpoOlQ6Tg "https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/form.jotform.com/rfanshawe/bestnewproduct2025___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzpiYjU1YjBiNzg0OTU1YjRiN2YxNzA5ZWRkMjM1YjNmYTo3OmI1Mzc6MTY3M2M3NmJmMGQ3MWVlMmNjNzAzNGMwYzBmMmJjODc5YjNjZTFiN2NlYTYwYmY0NjVjYmUzZjIyMzIzYzJlNTpoOlQ6Tg") If you have any questions about the contest or your submission, please contact Andrew Kaszowski, Fanshawe CRI at [a\_kaszowski@fanshawec.ca](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-west-food-innovation-summit-tickets-1289957500609?aff=oddtdtcreator "mailto:a_kaszowski@fanshawec.ca") ### [Sponsorship/Exhibitor package ](https://www.ledc.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/Southwest%20%20Food%20Innovation%20Summit%202025.pdf) For **Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities** contact Josh Taylor, LEDC ([jtaylor@ledc.com](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-west-food-innovation-summit-tickets-1289957500609?aff=oddtdtcreator "mailto:jtaylor@ledc.com")*)* & Phil Singeris, Foodpreneur Advantage Program ([psingeris@sbcentre.ca](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-west-food-innovation-summit-tickets-1289957500609?aff=oddtdtcreator "mailto:psingeris@sbcentre.ca")) South West Food Innovation Summit is your chance to gain the insights, connections, and inspiration you need to thrive in Canada's dynamic food and beverage landscape. Register today and secure your place at the forefront of innovation! Image ![Summit event](/sites/default/files/2025-04/Summit%20Logo%20Final_0.png) ### Influencer Sponsor Image ![fcc](/sites/default/files/2025-05/Food%20Innovation%20Summit%20Sponsor%20%282%29.png) [Register](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-west-food-innovation-summit-tickets-1289957500609?aff=oddtdtcreator)