UBC PackLead Workshop 2026

Navigating Inflation in Food and Packaging: Industry Challenges and Solutions 

LOCATION: KAIS #2020 on the 2nd Floor of Fred Kaiser Building located at 2332 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

UBC PackLead Workshop 2026 brings together industry leaders, researchers, and government representatives to explore the challenges of rising costs, supply chain disruptions, material shortages, and evolving sustainability and regulatory demands in the food and related packaging sectors.

Through keynote presentations, industry panels, and real-world case studies, participants will share practical strategies and innovative solutions to navigate inflation, improve supply chain resilience, and balance economic, environmental, and consumer expectations.

KEY DISCUSSION TOPICS

Drivers of inflation and cost management strategies, consumer purchasing behaviour, food and packaging supply chain challenges, industry perspectives and case studies, sustainable packaging solutions, and food packaging safety and regulatory considerations.

WHO CAN ATTEND

November 18 is open to industry professionals, researchers, students, policymakers, and innovators interested in addressing challenges and advancing practical solutions across the food and packaging supply chain.

November 19 is reserved for PackLead members and invited collaborators for an internal research-focused session.

WORKSHOP PARTNERS

AGENDA

Day 1 – Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Hybrid)

Industry-Focused: Navigating Inflation in Food and Packaging

• 8:30 AM – Check-in, Coffee & Mingle
• 9:00 AM – Welcome & Introduction
  • Dr. David Kitts, Professor and PackLead Program Director, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC 
• 9:10 AM – Keynote: James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage
• 9:35 AM – Keynotes & Panel Discussion: Drivers of Inflation, What Are the Risks, and Possible Mitigation/Management Strategies
  • Panel Moderator:  Dan Duguay, Senior Director of Sustainability, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage 
  • Jennifer Smith, Senior Buyer, Daiya Foods
  • James Rowley, President & Owner of Glenmore Custom Print 
• 10:35 AM – Coffee Break
• 10:50 AM – Keynotes & Panel Discussion: Factoring in the End Consumer and the Role of Behavior Science in Consumer Purchasing
  • Dr. Yann Cornil, Associate Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Science, UBC Sauder School of Business
  • Kirk Homenick, President, Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd.
• 11:30 AM Case Study:  Elizabeth Gutierrez Rojas, Supply Chain Specialist, Oppy
• 12:10 PM – Networking Lunch
• 12:50 PM  Keynote & Panel Discussion: Perspectives and Approaches in Packaging Supply Chain for the Food Industry
  • Panel Members: 
  • Sam Golestanian, Area Sales Manager, Winpak Ltd. 
  • Baha Naemi, Managing Partner – Cofounder, Cancorr
• 2:00 PM – Coffee Break & Break Out Session
• 2:40 PM Panel Discussion:  Balancing Sustainability and Food Safe Packaging
  • Moderator:  Meaghan Beck, Sustainability Advisor to the Food Industry; Founder, Lumara Advisory Inc.
  • Dan Duguay, Senior Director of Sustainability, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
  • Anastase Rulibikiye, Section Head of Food Packaging Materials and Incidental Additives, Health Canada
  • Lara Tiro, Food Scientist and Product Commercialization Consultant, RebelCPG

• 3:40 PM - Closing Note

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Day 2 – Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Hybrid)

Research-Focused: Regulatory and Applied Research Perspectives in Food Packaging (Internal Session)

• 9:00 AM – Welcome Back & Coffee 
  • Dr. Vasileios Kontogiorgos 
• 9:10 AM – Anastase Rulibikiye, Section Head of Food Packaging Materials and Incidental Additives, Health Canada - Impacts of Popular Trends on Food Packaging
• 9:50 AM – Dr. Yixiang Wang, Associate Professor, McGill University - Cotton Textile Waste for Sustainable Packaging
• 10:30 AM – Coffee Break 
• 10:50 AM – Dr. Banchamlak Kassaun, University of Northern BC 
• 11:30 AM – IP and Patent Strategies in Packaging
  • Austin Lee, Technology Transfer Manager, Innovation UBC
• 12:10 PM – Networking Lunch 
• 12:50 PM - The Canadian Food Packaging Innovation Guide
  • Tyler Williams, Senior Packaging Researcher, Food Research & Innovation Lab, Conestoga College
• 1:20 PM - Closing Note

This event is hosted by the UBC PackLead Innovation and Training Program, developing next-generation leaders in packaging science and sustainability.For inquiries, please contact Dr. Abul Hossain at abul.hossain@ubc.ca.

REGISTRATION

We will do our best to accommodate all registrants, though priority will be given to PackLead affiliates and partners. Registration confirmations will be sent the latest by November 15.