April 2nd, - (Registration starts 8:30am) 9 am - 3 pm
The Ohio Food Industry Summit is the premier event for food processors and industry partners looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace. This annual gathering brings together business leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the food industry.
Through insightful keynote presentations, engaging discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, attendees will gain actionable strategies to enhance operations, drive innovation, and navigate the future of food processing and manufacturing. Whether you’re focused on improving production efficiency, strengthening food safety measures, or adopting cutting-edge technology, the Ohio Food Industry Summit is the place to connect, learn, and grow.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We extend our gratitude to Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), our Networking Mixer Sponsor, for supporting this year’s Summit and helping facilitate meaningful connections among industry professionals.
A special thank you to Next Plus, our Spotlight Sponsor, for bringing their expertise in AI-driven manufacturing solutions to the event. More details about their Spotlight Address and insights can be found below.
We also welcome Vanguard Renewables as a Legacy Summit Sponsor. Based in Weston, Massachusetts, Vanguard Renewables is a national leader in environmental services and the development of food and dairy waste-to-renewable energy projects. The company collaborates with food and beverage manufacturers and retailers across the United States to create comprehensive waste solutions that reduce costs, manage risks, and help businesses meet their sustainability goals. With its anaerobic digestion facilities and a network of strategic partners and haulers nationwide, Vanguard Renewables delivers full-service environmental solutions tailored to the food and beverage industry.
You can register to stay the night before at the Nationwide Center here.
New Keynote Speaker Announced
Regulatory Shifts and Industry Trends: What’s Next for Food Manufacturers?
Sarah Gallo – Senior Vice President, Product Policy and Federal Affairs, Consumer Brands Association
With a new administration being sworn-in, regulatory changes and policy shifts are inevitable. What do these changes mean for food manufacturers—both nationally and in Ohio? Sarah Gallo, Senior Vice President at the Consumer Brands Association, will provide key insights into emerging policy developments, regulatory trends, and industry-wide shifts that could reshape the food sector in the years ahead.
Sarah leads federal lobbying efforts on behalf of the food, beverage, personal care, and household product industries. With extensive experience in nutrition policy, consumer transparency, chemicals management, and regulatory modernization, she is uniquely positioned to forecast what’s ahead for manufacturers navigating an evolving policy landscape.
In this keynote, she will explore:
- Potential regulatory changes under the new administration and their impact on food manufacturing
- Key federal policy shifts in labeling, safety standards, and consumer transparency
- Emerging trends shaping the industry, from supply chain resilience to sustainability initiatives
- What Ohio’s food industry needs to prepare for now to stay competitive in a changing market
With a background spanning the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, CHS Inc., the National Corn Growers Association, and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, Sarah brings deep expertise and a strategic perspective on policy and business impacts.
Staying Ahead of the Attackers: Current Topics in Information Security
Alex Hamerstone – Advisory Solutions Director, TrustedSec
A nationally recognized expert in information security, Alex Hamerstone has over 15 years of experience advising businesses of all sizes—from small enterprises to Fortune 100 companies—on cybersecurity, risk management, and regulatory compliance. As the Advisory Solutions Director at TrustedSec, Alex has worked across industries, including retail, utilities, healthcare, and manufacturing, to develop security programs and perform assessments. He is a frequent commentator on national television and in major publications, bringing clarity to complex security topics.
In this keynote, Alex will cover:
- The motivations and tactics of modern cyber attackers
- Real-world examples of cyber incidents in food manufacturing (including JBS, Dole, Clorox, and Campbell)
- How organizations can protect themselves, mitigate risk, and stay ahead of emerging threats
- The evolving role of AI in both cyber defense and attacks
Alex’s conversational presentation style ensures that even the most complex cybersecurity topics are delivered in a compelling and easy-to-understand manner.
Baking a Healthy Culture: Key Ingredients for Success
Craig Andrews – Founder, 4C Excellence
With over 40 years of experience in operations management and continuous improvement, Craig Andrews has a proven track record in leading cultural transformations across traditional manufacturing, startups, and acquisitions. His expertise spans Lean principles, 5S, and Visual Management, and he has coached leaders at all levels—from executives to production associates. As the founder of 4C Excellence, Craig specializes in helping organizations create high-performance cultures through customized training and coaching.
In this keynote, Craig will explore:
- Why culture is essential for long-term success
- How to assess and improve workplace culture
- The critical role of leadership in cultural transformation
- The key ingredients—such as communication and engagement—needed to develop a thriving, high-performance organization
Sponsor Spotlight – Special Address by Next Plus
We are proud to recognize Next Plus as a spotlight sponsor of the Ohio Food Industry Summit. Their cutting-edge AI technology is revolutionizing manufacturing by seamlessly integrating human operations, engineering, and production systems into a powerful, intelligent ecosystem.
Mickey Shaposhnik, Managing Director of Next Plus, will deliver a special Sponsor Spotlight Address on Practical AI for Mid-Sized Food & Beverage Manufacturers. AI is often surrounded by hype, but this session will focus on real, actionable applications tailored for the food industry.
Attendees will gain hands-on insights into:
- Using AI with simple cameras to collect data—no integration required
- Instantly transforming phone videos into Standard Operating Procedures
- One-click AI analysis of production data for immediate insights
- AI-driven troubleshooting to reduce downtime and improve efficiency
These practical AI-driven strategies have already delivered double-digit improvements in efficiency, quality, and profitability for manufacturers.
We extend our sincere thanks to Next Plus for their support of this year’s Summit and for sharing their expertise with our attendees.
Members of the CIFT Consortium receive discounted tickets. Click here
to see if your organization is a CIFT Member.
Premiere Innovation Members Receive 2 tickets
Standard Signature Members Receive 1 ticket
If your organization is a CIFT Member, please contact Jayne Tegge at
jtegge@ciftinnovation.org or at 419-535-6000 x140 for the discount
code.
