This opening session sets the stage for the days ahead by introducing a more member-focused, business-driven Solutions Summit experience designed to help leaders connect, learn, and turn insights into action for stronger, more future-ready organizations. The 2026 Solutions Summit offers a forward-looking view of the forces shaping today’s protein industry—from workforce pressures and regulatory demands to technology disruption, supply chain resilience, and market volatility—and why practical, integrated solutions are essential for long-term success. 

As the food system faces intensifying pressure, building resilience requires leaders to move beyond silos and work together across sectors. This session will explore how connection and collective problem-solving can strengthen collaboration, spark practical solutions, and help shape a stronger future for food. 

Why are some companies retaining workers while others continue to experience chronic turnover despite similar wages and benefits?  In this session, leaders will explore what it takes to attract, retain, and develop a strong workforce in a highly competitive environment. Through real-world examples and data-driven insights, this discussion will highlight how leading companies are approaching hiring, engagement, and retention with measurable impact. Learning from best practices, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to evaluate workforce success and implement strategies that strengthen both people and performance. 

Animal welfare is more than a compliance requirement – it is a critical business consideration for leaders up and down the supply chain.  As customer expectations, retailer requirements, and public scrutiny continue to change, plant and operations leaders play an increasingly important role in supporting animal care practices that protect brand reputation, strengthen customer relationships, and drive operational excellence. This session will explore how leading companies are integrating animal welfare into broader business strategy, where challenges and gaps remain, and how plant-level decisions can support both operational performance and long-term business success. 

What can established organizations learn from the fast-paced, high-stakes world of startups? This concurrent session will explore the leadership and strategic principles that help young companies navigate uncertainty, build resilient cultures, and grow from idea to impact. Through firsthand experiences and practical insights, attendees will discover how startup leaders make decisions with limited resources, inspire teams through rapid change, and create strategies that balance vision with execution.

Designed for CEOs, business leaders, HR professionals, and strategy practitioners, this conversation will uncover actionable lessons that can help organizations of any size foster innovation, strengthen culture, and lead more effectively in an increasingly dynamic and challenging business environment.

Issues, Actions, Solutions is an active, participant-driven session built around collaborative problem-solving. This is not a presentation or a discussion focused solely on identifying challenges. Instead, attendees will work directly with their peers to address the issues that matter most to their businesses, exchange successful best practices, and develop practical solutions. Guided by structured facilitation, participants will leave with tangible next steps, fresh perspectives, and solutions they can take back and apply within their organizations. 

Start Day 2 of Solutions Summit with a welcome back and a celebration of the industry’s next generation of leaders. This session will set the tone for the day ahead, highlight key opportunities for connection and learning, and recognize Emerging Leaders for their commitment, growth, and role in shaping a strong, forward-looking meat and protein industry.

Gain a timely update on the commodity markets and policy developments shaping the protein industry. Dr. Justin Benavidez will provide USDA insights on supply and demand fundamentals, livestock and feed markets, trade flows, consumer demand, and price trends influencing business conditions today. Attendees will also learn how economic, agricultural, and trade policy developments may impact market expectations, costs, and opportunities in the year ahead. This session provides the market context leaders need to understand the current operating environment and prepare for what comes next.

AI is rapidly changing how meat and protein companies operate, but the biggest opportunities often come from practical applications rather than large-scale technology investments. This workshop-style session will explore how organizations are using AI to improve decision-making, streamline operations, and unlock value from existing data across supply chain and business functions. Featuring real-world examples, implementation lessons, and audience Q&A, the session will provide attendees with actionable insights for moving from AI pilots to production and building a practical roadmap for adoption. 

As the meat industry becomes increasingly connected through automation, digital systems, third-party vendors, and AI-enabled technologies, cyber threats have evolved from an IT concern into a significant business and operational risk. A single cyber incident can disrupt production, interrupt logistics, impact customer service, and create costly downtime across the supply chain. This session will explore the real-world consequences of cyber-attacks, where companies are most vulnerable, and how emerging technologies can introduce new risks when not properly managed. Industry and security experts will share practical strategies for strengthening resilience, protecting critical operations, and reducing the likelihood of business interruption in an increasingly connected environment.

Connect with peers and leaders from across the meat and poultry industry during this networking lunch. The program will also feature the presentation of the WMIN Most Impactful Woman of 2026 Award, recognizing a leader whose mentorship, advocacy and commitment are helping advance women across the industry.

As the protein industry navigates a rapidly changing economic landscape, leaders must look beyond today's market conditions to prepare for tomorrow's opportunities and risks. Building on the commodity and policy outlook presented by Justin Benavidez, Andy Busch will explore the global economic, geopolitical, technological, and demographic trends poised to reshape the business environment. Through a forward-looking lens, attendees will gain insights into emerging challenges, evolving trade dynamics, and strategic opportunities that will influence industry growth and competitiveness in the years ahead.

This discussion will move beyond policy updates to examine what these developments mean for business leaders. Industry experts will discuss the policy issues with the greatest strategic implications, where momentum is heading, and how executives can position their organizations to respond proactively, manage risk, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the policy issues shaping the future of the protein industry and the strategic considerations needed to position their organizations for long-term success.

Dr. Justin Ransom, Administrator of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), will share how the agency is putting its three-pillar strategy of Strong People, Smart Systems, and Safe Food into practice across its inspection and oversight activities. His presentation will highlight FSIS’s investments in its workforce, applications of emerging technology, and how science-based decision-making guides modernization efforts that protect public health while supporting innovation across the industry.

As the Solutions Summit comes to a close, this fireside chat will bring together Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts will lead a forward-looking conversation on what is next for the protein industry. Reflecting on key themes from the Solutions Summit, including workforce, policy, supply chain, and technology, this discussion will focus on the decisions leaders must make to navigate complexity and position their organizations for long-term success. Attendees will gain a broader perspective on the opportunities ahead and leave with a renewed sense of direction, purpose, and confidence in leading through change.