Explore how inspection and detection have evolved over 30 years, and how Fortress Technology is defining the next standard in food safety through automated testing and data-driven performance, helping food manufacturers improve consistency, compliance and confidence in modern production environments.

Kim Lovan, associate vice president, food, beverage and agribusiness, and Carrie Woehler, solutions lead, industrial and manufacturing for Black & Veatch, discuss how food and beverage manufacturers are implementing automation, considerations for vetting solution providers, and how automation projects have evolved.

Andrew Johnston, vice president and general manager, industrials, for Divert, Inc, discusses where food waste appears in food manufacturing, the role of anaerobic digestion, and how to build a culture of waste reduction.

Bob Garrison, chief editor of Prepared Foods, Kelley Rodriguez, editor-in-chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, and Alyse Thompson-Richards, editor-in-chief of FOOD ENGINEERING, combine their unique perspectives and discuss the biggest trends impacting the food industry in 2025 and beyond.

Rebecca Marquez, director of custom research for PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, talks the state of the packaging machinery market in 2024 and 2025, the food industry’s role in it, and what to expect in 2026 and beyond.

Melanie Nuce-Hilton, senior vice president of customer success for GS1, discusses consumer opinion surrounding recalls, building consumer trust through traceability and preparing for FSMA 204.

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions CEO Massimo Bizzi and Mark Dowdle, executive vice president of strategy and business development, discuss Fortifi’s founding and purpose, key challenges affecting food manufacturing and how automation will shape the industry’s future.

Sponsored by Fortifi Food Processing Solutions