The Sport of Building Brands - Live

THE SPORT OF BUILDING BRANDS · Built to Adapt. Train for 2027.

One day with the founders, retailers and operators building Canadian CPG. Real consumer data, a buyer’s view of the shelf, and the playbook for what comes next.

Friday, November 6 · Doors 9:00 AM · Vaughan Studios, 200 Apple Mill Rd (3rd Level), Vaughan

9:20 · Welcome and kickoff with Kyle Marsham, The CPG Dept

9:35 · Keynote: The Scouting Report. Never-before-seen 2026 Canadian shopper data from Jeff Doucette, Field Agent.

10:35 · Keynote: Delivering Growth with Instacart. Dean Hayward explores Instacart’s unique role as a leading technology company in the Canadian grocery space, and how brands can partner with Instacart to unlock new growth opportunities.

11:00 · The Founders’ Playbook. Idea to shelf to cart, with Ally Mamalider (Organic Traditions), Marise May (Cha’s Organics), Daniel Carson (Goldy’s) and Eoin Carroll (TRUELY), moderated by Oren Epstein. Presented by Purity Life.

12:00 · Halftime. Lunch and networking presented by Mindful Snacks. The Recovery Zone opens.

1:15 · Marketing, Storytelling & Growth. Imagine hiring a fractional CMO for your brand. Trevor Sibanda, Eden Hazan (Socialdrop) and Lauren Levy (Odd Cookie), moderated by Jamil Bhuya, build the plan you’d get: the story, DTC, retail, and how it all connects.

2:20 · The AI Game Plan: From Search to Sale. AI is rebuilding the path to purchase. Matt MacDonald of MNP leads AI leaders across search, voice and lead gen, and retail media, including Ryan Nahas of ChatFeatured, on the AI strategy every CPG brand needs for 2027. Presented by MNP and ChatFeatured.

3:00 · Extended break. Founder Studio live, Recovery Zone and Brand Stations.

3:45 · Win the Shelf with Loblaw. Amanda Galante and Stephanie Sheveluk of Loblaw Companies on how category decisions get made, what earns shelf space and what keeps it there. Presented by Elbows Out.

4:45 · Closing and a first look at 2027. Event wraps at 5:00 PM.

6:00 · VIP Dinner, presented by ChatFeatured. VIP ticket required.

AROUND THE ROOM: The Founder Studio by Marsham · The Recovery Zone by Form Face + Body and Careby (booster shots, compression, AI-assisted therapy, red light therapy) · Brand Stations · Coffee bar all day

TICKETS: General Admission $149 · VIP $339 (includes the VIP Dinner) · Groups of 4+: [email protected] · Founders save 15% with code FOUNDER15

Thank you to presenting sponsors MNP, Instacart and Mindful Snacks, and partners Purity Life, ChatFeatured, Elbows Out, Field Agent, FCC, Toodu, Fasken and The Better Advisors.