2025 Ohio Food Industry Summit

CIFT

Join us in person with food processors, policy makers other organizations and companies in the food production space.

Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center

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. You can register to stay the night before at the Nationwide Center <a href="https://www.reseze.net/servlet/WebresResDesk?hotelid=1382&arrivalMonth=04&arrivalDay=01&arrivalYear=2025&1nightsStay=1&adults=1&groupId=387940&check_avail=Check+Availability" title="https://www.reseze.net/servlet/WebresResDesk?hotelid=1382&arrivalMonth=04&arrivalDay=01&arrivalYear=2025&1nightsStay=1&adults=1&groupId=387940&check_avail=Check+Availability" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here.</a>

<h4>Regulatory Shifts and Industry Trends: What’s Next for Food Manufacturers?</h4>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:<ul><li>Potential regulatory changes under the new administration and their impact on food manufacturing</li><li>Key federal policy shifts in labeling, safety standards, and consumer transparency</li><li>Emerging trends shaping the industry, from supply chain resilience to sustainability initiatives</li><li>What Ohio’s food industry needs to prepare for now to stay competitive in a changing market</li></ul>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 SecurityAlex Hamerstone – Advisory Solutions Director, TrustedSecA 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:<ul><li>The motivations and tactics of modern cyber attackers</li><li>Real-world examples of cyber incidents in food manufacturing (including JBS, Dole, Clorox, and Campbell)</li><li>How organizations can protect themselves, mitigate risk, and stay ahead of emerging threats</li><li>The evolving role of AI in both cyber defense and attacks</li></ul>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 SuccessCraig 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:<ul><li>Why culture is essential for long-term success</li><li>How to assess and improve workplace culture</li><li>The critical role of leadership in cultural transformation</li><li>The key ingredients—such as communication and engagement—needed to develop a thriving, high-performance organization</li></ul>He will also give a smaller breakout presentation.Cycles of Improvement: PDCA or CAPD – Which acronym should I choose?Understand when to follow “Plan Do Check Act” or “Check Analyze Plan Do” and the advantages of these processes to drive better results. Examples will be provided, followed by small group activities to build a cycle of improvement and share with others.

Sponsor Spotlight – Special Address by Next PlusWe 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 &amp; 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:<ul><li> Using AI with simple cameras to collect data—no integration required</li><li> Instantly transforming phone videos into Standard Operating Procedures</li><li> One-click AI analysis of production data for immediate insights</li><li> AI-driven troubleshooting to reduce downtime and improve efficiency</li></ul>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.

<h3>Where:</h3><h3> </h3>Nationwide Hotel &amp; Conference Center100 Green Meadows Dr SLewis Center (North of Columbus)OH 43035 Members of the CIFT Consortium receive discounted tickets. Click <a href="https://ciftinnovation.org/membership/" title="https://ciftinnovation.org/membership/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a> to see if your organization is a CIFT Member.Premiere Innovation Members Receive 2 ticketsStandard Signature Members Receive 1 ticketIf your organization is a CIFT Member, please contact Jayne Tegge at jtegge@ciftinnovation.org or at 419-535-6000 x140 for the discount code.

CIFT works with companies of all sizes and throughout the food system including manufacturing of materials in the supply chain. An event like this is designed to inform and engage businesses in a dialogue around the food industry.If you desire to be more active in our work, support future programs, receive various niche benefits, and help carry the message of the industry forward, you may be interested in our membership consortium.<a href="https://ciftinnovation.org/membership/" title="https://ciftinnovation.org/membership/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Learn more</a>

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2025 Ohio Food Industry Summit

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