PHOTOS: FHCP's 2026 CEO & Executive Leadership Conference

Catch the highlights from this year's event

10/22/2026

FHCP CEO Michael Graydon speaks to attendees. Photography courtesy FHCP

Can you really see beyond The Next Curve?

"[It's] about more than anticipating what comes next," according the FHCP CEO Michael Graydon.

"It is about developing the perspective, judgement and relationships needed to meet it with confidence. The most effective leaders do not wait for change to arrive before deciding how to respond. They look beyond the immediate, challenge their own thinking, and prepare their organizations for possibilities that may not yet be fully visible."

During this period of rapid change, The Next Curve was a fitting theme for the 2026 CEO & Executive Leadership Conference of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP).

The highly exclusive (and sold out) event brought representatives of more than 125 CPG companies and service providers on Oct.15 and 16 at the White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

More than 300 senior leaders attended the conference, where they gleaned powerful insights and practical tips from a top-notch roster of speakers that included: teamwork and motivation pro Shaun Peet, executive coach Graham Kaufmann, psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington, modern marketing guru Mitch Joel, competive and strategic intelligence expert Estelle Metayer, journalist Peter Mansbridge and former Ambassador of Canada to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman.

Equally important: the event also gave guests great opportunities to connect with and learn from each other.

Canadian Grocer was proud to participate and support this year's FHCP CEO & Executive Leadership Conference–and we can't wait for the next edition, Oct. 14-15, 2027.

See highlights from the conference in the gallery below.

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Peter Mansbridge. Photography courtesy FHCP
Estelle Metayer. Photography courtesy FHCP
Graham Kaufmann. Photography courtesy FHCP
Dr. Jody Carrington. Photography courtesy FHCP
FHCP's Michael Graydon (left) with Kirsten Hillman. Photography courtesy FHCP
Peter Mansbridge. Photography courtesy FHCP
Mike Pilato, president and CEO of Jamieson Wellness, accepts FHCP's 2026 Award of Distinction. Photography courtesy FHCP
L-R: Kevin Lacey and Cenker Ozhelvaci of Environics Analytics with Ian Portsmouth of Canadian Grocer
L-R: Shaun McKenna of Encore Market Engagement and Martin Payant of Unilever Canada
L-R: Scott Lorimer of Campbell Company of Canada and Don Murray, Encore Market Engagement
L-R: Adam Zanatta and Francois Bouchard of GS1 Canada, Ron Wekle of CFIG and Ian Portsmouth
L-R: Mark Ignor, Dino Bianco and Steven Sage of Kruger Products
L-R: Sandra Parente of Canadian Grocer with John Pigott of Morrison Lamothe Inc.