Shaping the Future: from Uncertainty to Opportunity

At a time when the Food & Beverage sector is undergoing the most significant transformation in its recent history, anticipating change is no longer enough: we need to imagine it, shape it, and lead it. A combination of geopolitical tensions, profound economic shifts, evolving consumer demands, technological disruption, and a renewed relationship between talent and organizations is completely redefining the competitive landscape.

In this context, the companies that will thrive are those capable of interpreting major global movements, understanding a consumer in constant reinvention, attracting new generations of professionals, and turning every challenge into a strategic opportunity. At the same time, advanced technologies — from artificial intelligence to automation and predictive analytics — are accelerating a revolution that impacts the entire value chain, from production to the final customer experience.

The IESE Food & Beverage Meeting 2026 was created precisely to provide a clear, rigorous, and actionable perspective on this new scenario. Through a program that moves from global macro-trends to critical future drivers, it will bring together business leaders, academic experts, and leading institutions to reflect, debate, and share insights that help the sector navigate today’s complexity and build sustainable competitive advantages.

A one-day event designed for those who want to make informed decisions, anticipate future scenarios, and lead with ambition in a world in transformation.

Because the future of our sector is not something you wait for — it is something you design.

HELP TO CREATE THE FUTURE OF YOUR INDUSTRY,
BECOME A PARTNER

MORE INFORMATION

Co-organizer:

Collaborating companies:

PROGRAM

Tuesday, 9 de junio de 2026

09:00-09:30	Registration
09:30-09:45	Welcome • Prof. Miquel Lladó, Academic Director of the Meeting, IESE Business School • Enrique Domínguez, Partner responsible for the Consumer Goods and Distribution sector, Deloitte Spain and Meeting Co-organizer
09:50-10:35	Global Forces That Matter – Geopolitics & Economy Companies are operating in an increasingly complex global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, structural economic challenges, demographic shifts, and the growing impact of climate change. This session provides a strategic overview of the external forces redefining the competitive landscape, from international conflicts and supply chain disruptions to energy, costs, and market stability. • Ana Aguilar, Partner, Deloitte • Prof. Mike Rosenberg, IESE Business School Moderator: Prof. Miquel Lladó, IESE Business School
10:40-11:25	The New Consumer Reality – Six Macro trends Consumers are changing faster than ever, and business models are changing with them. This session builds on Deloitte’s latest consumer trends study to explore how inflation, health, convenience, and sustainability are reshaping purchasing decisions. It will examine the transformation of channels —retail, foodservice, ready-to-eat, and omnichannel— as well as emerging trends already having a tangible impact on the market, such as GLP-1 medications, longevity, the evolution of the kitchen-dining concept, European buying groups, and a competitive arena that goes well beyond traditional food players. A session designed to understand today’s consumer and anticipate what comes next. • Alvaro Justribó, Founder, Mazinn • Beatriz Santos, Directora Comercial, Eroski • Daniel Ramon Vidal, Catedrático de Tecnología de Alimentos en la Universidad Cardenal Herrera Moderator: Elena Izquierdo, Partner, Deloitte
11:25-12:10	Coffee-Break
12:10-12:55	The Invisible Cost: Rethinking Absenteeism in a Post-COVID Workforce Absenteeism has become one of the least visible —yet most costly— challenges facing the Food & Beverage sector. In a post-COVID environment shaped by new workforce expectations, structural fatigue, cultural shifts and intense operational pressure across plants, logistics and points of sale, absenteeism impacts far more than productivity: it directly affects quality, safety, team morale and ultimately business performance. This session invites participants to rethink absenteeism from a strategic perspective, examining its root causes —organizational, cultural and leadership-related— and exploring how companies in the sector can address it in a sustainable way. Through data, real-world experiences and innovative approaches, the discussion will focus on how to move from reactive absenteeism management to models that foster engagement, well-being and shared accountability across the workforce. • Héctor Blasco, Director General, Umivale Activa • Pedro Casaño, Director Global de Personas, Corporacion Hijos de Rivera SL Moderator: Ignacio García, Partner, Deloitte
13:00-13:45	Leading Through Turbulence: Turning Crisis into Strategic Opportunity In a world of constant uncertainty, companies must go beyond crisis management and learn how to use volatility as a catalyst for transformation. This session will showcase organizations that have successfully turned challenging situations into opportunities for innovation, business model reinvention, and competitive strengthening. A practical discussion on leading change and making strategic decisions in turbulent times. • Ignacio Silva, President, Deoleo • Fernando Valdés Bueno, Consejero empresas de gran consumo Moderator: Guillermo Blázquez, Managing Director, Bühler Group
13:45-15:00	Networking Lunch
15:00-15:45	Building Tomorrow Through Technology Technology is rapidly redefining the entire value chain. This session explores how artificial intelligence, advanced automation, AI agents and data-driven capabilities are transforming operational efficiency, productivity, talent management and customer engagement. The goal is to understand how technology can become a tangible competitive advantage, through real-world use cases and practical examples that are already shaping the future. • Eduardo Gómez de Tostón, CEO, Alisys Moderator: Luis González Gugel, Partner, Deloitte
15:50-16:50	Winning in a World of Change The future cannot be predicted, but it can be prepared for. This session encourages participants to adopt a proactive, strategic mindset when confronting the various scenarios facing the industry. Through strategic reflections and practical examples, it will explore how organizations can develop a future vision that combines ambition, adaptability, and long-term orientation. Because in a world of constant change, preparedness is the ultimate competitive advantage. • Laura Erra, CEO, Liquats Vegetals • Albert Morera, Director General, Grupo Vall Companys • Jordi Morral, CEO, Europastry Moderator: Manuel Barberá, Managing Director, CaixaBank CIB
16:55-17:25	Closing Reflection • Prof. Miquel Lladó, Academic Director of the Meeting, IESE Business School • Enrique Domínguez, Partner responsible for the Consumer Goods and Distribution sector, Deloitte Spain and Meeting Co-organizer
17:25-18-55	Coctel & Drinks

Speaker

Fernando Valdés Bueno

Consejero empresas de gran consumo

Speaker

Daniel Ramon Vidal

Catedrático de Tecnología de Alimentos en la Universidad Cardenal Herrera

Speaker

80% Discount

Valid until May 15th

Use the promotional code
80-OFF

PAYMENT MUST BE MADE PRIOR TO PROGRAM ATTENDANCE

DON’T LET PRICE BE AN OBSTACLE TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

Entrepreneurs
Start-ups
Self-employed
Professionals in active job search

We know that knowledge and networking are key to open new doors.
This meeting is a unique opportunity to share ideas, connect with industry leaders
and explore trends that are transforming the world of Healthcare

DON’T BE LEFT OUT

If this is your case, write to Claudia Escobar (cescobar@iese.edu) and tell us about your case