Regulatory expectations continue to evolve, creating both challenges and opportunities for meat and poultry companies of all sizes. In this workshop-style session, the Meat Institute’s regulatory team will walk through the top regulatory issues impacting the industry right now, based on real member inquiries and emerging trends.  
 

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. 

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. 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate, but for most meat and protein companies, the greatest opportunities are not found in large-scale enterprise platforms. Instead, organizations are finding value through practical AI tools that improve decision-making, increase efficiency, and streamline everyday business processes. From enhancing sales and customer service to supporting quoting, risk management, collections, and internal workflows, AI is becoming a powerful tool for driving productivity across the organization. 

This session will focus on practical and accessible applications of AI that companies can implement today. Industry experts and business leaders will share real-world use cases, lessons learned, and strategies for successful adoption. Attendees will gain actionable insights into where AI can create the most immediate value and how to approach implementation in a way that supports business goals and delivers measurable results. 

In a period of ongoing economic uncertainty, protein industry leaders are being challenged to adapt quickly while maintaining growth and stability. This session will move beyond a traditional economic forecast to focus on how companies are actively navigating today’s global economy. From fluctuating input costs and supply chain pressures to shifting demand and capital constraints, this discussion will highlight how organizations are responding in real time. Featuring perspectives across different business models, including public companies and family-owned operations, attendees will gain insight into the strategies leaders are using to manage risk, support their organizations, and identify opportunities for growth. Designed to be practical and forward-looking, this session will help leaders connect economic signals to actionable business decisions. 

Built upon a series of refreshed metrics and new user dashboards, the launch of this year’s Protein PACT report provides a showcase for how leaders are taking advantage of the streamlined tool to accelerate their impact within the business and across the industry. This session highlights how data-driven insights support business decisions, transparency and continuous improvement across the supply chain.  

Join industry leaders for a moderated fireside chat exploring the consumer trends, business challenges, and opportunities shaping the next 12 to 24 months. Executives will share how their organizations are responding to changing consumer expectations, evolving market conditions, and emerging industry priorities. Attendees will leave with practical insights into what consumers care about today and what businesses should be preparing for tomorrow.