We are experiencing a historic acceleration in the pace of change in our world. Artificial intelligence, digitization, robotics, precision agriculture, changes in consumer preferences, supply chain disruptions, climate change, new organizational models, changing regulations, and the rise of purpose-driven enterprises are reconfiguring how every conceivable industry operates. These changes divide us into two camps: the “disruptors” and the “disrupted”.

Successful entrepreneur, author, consultant, and CEO Kaihan Krippendorff has spent over a decade studying the patterns of disruption. What makes some companies thrive and what makes others fall behind? What gives some the power to shape the future and makes others struggle to keep up? Where are the next opportunities for innovation in the agricultural ecosystem and how do we get started? Get the answers to these questions and tools you can use to make sense of the future and think strategically to capitalize on innovation.

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The pace of change is faster than it has ever been in history. We are inundated with information about AI and its impact on almost every aspect of our lives – and agriculture is no different. This session will dig into the role of AI in agriculture today and in the years ahead, and explore how plant breeding innovations, including gene editing, can support a more resilient, sustainable agricultural and productive system.

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Canada has many advantages that position it to be a global agricultural powerhouse, including a large arable land base, vast natural resources and growers that are among the most innovative in the world. But globally we are a relatively small market when it comes to agricultural technologies. This session will explore how we can create an attractive investment environment that ultimately gives Canadian growers early access to the tools they need to thrive and compete globally.

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Fresh off the US presidential election, this session will explore what the results mean for Canada, including impacts on trade relationships between Canada and the US – and around the world. Join this session for deep insights on where Canada goes from here with Canada’s former ambassador to the US, David MacNaughton and moderated by Heather Scoffield, senior vice-president of strategy at the Business Council of Canada and former Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto Star and the Canadian Press.

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If you’ve ever had the displeasure of boarding a plane, you know how dysfunctional groups of people can be. The airline assigns seats and calls out group numbers, but it’s still Hunger Games at Gate 42. Everyone swarms the gate, jostling for position to get on as quickly as possible. There’s a thin veneer of politeness, but everyone’s on edge. And even though this has been happening thousands of times every day for decades, it never gets any better.

Why do humans fail while groups of animals thrive? In the past few years, the science of crowds has revealed the underpinnings of swarm success, and the selfish mechanisms that make them so effective. Dan Riskin will explore the science behind it while sharing tangible lessons for leaders in teambuilding. You’ll be inspired to change the way your group achieves its goals.

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Innovation is touching every aspect of the agriculture and food industry. Explore the drivers of innovation in the food value chain from changing consumer demands to sustainability and supply chain pressures. This discussion will be followed by insights into misinformation about what we eat, and how to combat it.

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Having held senior level roles with WestJet, Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo, Rogers Media, Loblaw Media, and now Canada Goose, Alfredo C. M. Tan has led several companies through changing digital landscapes and evolving consumer expectations and behaviours.

In this inspiring presentation, Tan shares lessons learned from his corporate journey, speaking on mentorship, risk management, innovation, focus, and more.

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