From all of us at Food & Beverage Atlantic, thank you for making the 2025 Annual Conference—Leading Evolution—a true celebration of Atlantic Canada’s vibrant food and beverage community.
Over three inspiring days in Moncton, we witnessed the innovation, resilience, and collaboration that define our industry. From bold ideas to practical insights, every conversation reflected our shared commitment to growing a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable sector.
A special thanks to our presenters, partners, exhibitors, and attendees for your energy and support. You are the reason this event continues to thrive year after year.
We’re already looking ahead to next year’s conference in Nova Scotia—where the conversations, partnerships, and momentum will continue.
Together, we are leading evolution.
Mark your calendars—Food & Beverage Atlantic’s Annual Conference is back! Join us October 19-21, 2026 at the the Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville, NS, for inspiring days of learning, networking, and celebrating Atlantic Canada’s dynamic food and beverage industry.
This year’s theme, Think Big, challenges Atlantic Canadian food and beverage companies to design their businesses for growth and scale. Through bold ideas, practical strategies, and real-world insight, the conference will help prepare leaders to compete, expand, and succeed in dynamic economic times — at home and beyond. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation — and the momentum.
FBA’s Annual Conference is committed to fostering Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in all aspects of our programming. We believe a stronger food and beverage industry is one where all voices are heard, celebrated, and supported.
Be the first to know of early bird offers and registration announcements!
Register Today and enjoy Early Bird Savings – EXTENDED:
Register before July 14, 2025 and receive a guaranteed seat on “Crafted in Atlantic: Tasting Tour and Manufacturer Visits” on Monday, October 6, 5:00–9:00 pm
PLUS, receive an exclusive invitation to our VIP Breakfast Experience on October 7 — a premium networking event reserved only for early registrants.
Dates: October 6- 8, 2025
Location: Delta Beausejour, Moncton, NB
Ticket prices:
- Non-Member tickets are $595 each.
- Member Tickets are $395 each.
Membership starts at only $220 for the year!
Become a member and save $200 on your ticket, click here.
Watch our video from the 2024 edition below to get a taste of what to expect!
What past attendees have to say...
EXTENDED Preferred Room Rates for FBA Conference Delegates
EXTENDED Preferred Room Rates for FBA Conference DelegatesTake advantage of our special hotel rates at the Delta Beausejour!
Reserve your room at the Conference rate of $179 per night until EXTENDED DATE September 5, 2025 or while availability lasts.
📆Conference Agenda
KEYNOTES
Graham Sherman – Unleashing Your Disruptive Behavior – October 6, 2025 PM
Graham Sherman has been shaking things up since he worked on private-sector government and military contracts in Afghanistan, to when he began brewing beer and changed the game for small breweries across Alberta, to today, when he transformed his business to meet the demands of a pandemic-riddled economy.
In March 2020, Sherman saw 75% of his business shut off overnight. Instead of giving up, he looked to see who was doing well — grocery delivery — and teamed up with a local organic
food delivery business to convert his brewery into their storage facility and help Calgarians stay safe.
After hearing Sherman’s story and insights, audiences will walk away inspired and armed with a clear path to unleashing their own.
Learn more and engage with Graham on LinkedIn.
Mike Fata -Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur – October 7, 2025 AM
From building a $100M business to mentoring the next generation of founders, Mike Fata shares the unconventional lessons behind lasting success. In this session, you’ll learn Mike’s strategies for becoming your best self, doing your best work, and building your best community – without burning out. Whether you’re scaling your startup or seeking renewed purpose, this talk will inspire and equip you to grow.
Learn more and engage with Mike on LinkedIn.
Suzie Yorke – Anything is Possible: 3 Lessons from an Award-Winning Entrepreneur Who Launched Her First Brand at Age 50 and Surpassed $100M in Revenues – October 8, 2025 AM
Suzie Yorke shares her founder journey, launching her first brand at age 50 as a single mom with no team or deep pockets.
Suzie built Love Good Fats into a $100M brand in just three years by identifying a clear consumer white space.
Currently launching her second start-up, The Little Cacao Co., focused on low-sugar, high-protein functional chocolate made from SuperFood cacao.
Suzie will share 3 key lessons for food entrepreneurs:
- Trust your gut: Follow intuition when spotting unmet consumer needs.
- Learn from failure: First production failed; resilience and quick learning led to a Whole Foods listing.
- Velocity is everything: It’s not about getting on shelf—it’s about sell-through and execution.
Learn more and engage with Suzie on LinkedIn.
📲Conference App
Stay tuned for our Conference App launch for attendees! Registered attendees will receive their invitation in advance of the event.
FBA’s Dedicated Conference App includes:
- Agenda
- Full Participant, Partner, and Presenter List
- Personal Scheduler
- Session presentations and takeaways
- In-App Participant Messaging
NEW THIS YEAR – In-App Meeting Bookings!
Make the most of your conference without having to hope you’ll bump into the right people.
Arrange meetings with attendees in a dedicated area of the conference floor through our app.
Register to attend Food & Beverage Atlantic's Annual Conference & Awards 2025!
Dates: October 6- 8, 2025
Location: Delta Beausejour, Moncton, NB
Ticket prices:
- Non-Member tickets are $595 each.
- Member Tickets are $395 each.
Membership starts at only $220 for the year!
Become a member and save $200 on your ticket, click here.
Register Today and enjoy Early Bird Savings – EXTENDED:
Register before July 14, 2025 and receive a guaranteed seat on “Crafted in Atlantic: Tasting Tour and Manufacturer Visits” on Monday, October 6, 5:00–9:00 pm
PLUS, receive an exclusive invitation to our VIP Breakfast Experience on October 7 — a premium networking event reserved only for early registrants.
The FBA Awards celebrates Atlantic Canada's Leaders in the Food and Beverage Industry
The prestigious FBA Awards are back, honouring the leaders who shape the future of our industry. It’s our chance to recognize those remarkable individuals and businesses who push boundaries, redefine standards, and set new benchmarks of excellence. These awards not only highlight outstanding achievements but also acknowledge the collective efforts driving progress in our industry.
Thank you to our 2025 Awards Judges:
– Niluka Kottegoda, founder of Nuii and accomplished retail executive, strategist, and social entrepreneur.
– Chef Colleen Hiscock, owner of Java Jack’s Gourmet Fine Foods and Sunny Gold Foods
– Shelly MacDonald, Lead Trainer at Perennia with over 20 years of experience in the food indsutry
– Mike Fata, entrepreneur and co-founder of Manitoba Harvest with over 25 years dedicated to studying and practicing natural health
Nominations are now open! Whether it’s a colleague, a client, or your own company, we encourage you to nominate deserving candidates. Nominees must be Food & Beverage Atlantic members in good standing, and self-nominations are welcome.
🏆 The Awards Finalists
The ‘Rising Star of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has demonstrated strong market growth and expansion. The ‘Rising Star of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated how they have grown from start-up to a successful business with plans for future growth.
Finalists:
- Shivani’s Kitchen
- Tiffany’s Table Inc. | Bebe
- The Station Food Hub Company Ltd.
Thank you to Canadian Food Innovation Network for their partnership of this award.
The ‘Mover & Shaker of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has successfully demonstrated their growth and accomplishments within the industry as a mature business. The ‘Mover & Shaker of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated a strong go-to-market strategy and has plans on building on this regarding growth, markets, and/or products.
Finalists
- Sai Krishna Foods Services Corporation
- Hope Blooms
- Dunn Right Sauce Inc.
Thank you to Levership for their partnership of this award.
The ‘Innovator of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has demonstrated initiatives to achieve growth through innovation. The ‘Innovator of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated how they challenge the status quo and have developed an innovative solution that successfully enables positive change to occur.
Finalists
- RFINE Biomass Solutions Inc.
- Bramble Hill Farm
- Infusd Nutrition
Thank you to Innovation PEI for their partnership of this award.
The ‘Storyteller of the Year’ recognizes an FBA Member who has demonstrated their brand’s narrative in a compelling and engaging way. The ‘Storyteller of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated a strong marketing strategy and execution plan to build their brand.
Finalists
- Work Water Inc.
- Hope Blooms
- Port Rexton Brewing Co. Ltd.
Thank you to Food in Canada for their partnership of this award.
This award recognizes a company that consistently goes above and beyond in supplying exceptional products, services, or support to Atlantic Canada’s food and beverage industry. The Supplier of the Year demonstrates outstanding reliability, innovation, and commitment to building strong partnerships that help our sector thrive. Their contributions have had a significant impact on the success and growth of their clients and the broader industry.
Finalists
- Navigate Food Safety Solutions
- Good Robot Brewing Company
- Maritime Labels & Packaging
This award celebrates a food and beverage company that has achieved remarkable success in exporting Atlantic Canadian products beyond our borders. The Exporter of the Year demonstrates excellence in market development, international growth, and overcoming the challenges of competing on a global stage. Their efforts not only expand their own reach but also elevate the reputation of Atlantic Canadian products worldwide.
Finalists
- G. E. Barbour
- Benson Lobster Co Ltd.
- Cooke Inc.
The Foodie’s Choice Award recognizes an FBA member’s product that goes beyond conventional norms, breaking new ground in taste, quality and presentation.
In 2025, the winner of the Foodie’s Choice Award will also win a $10,000 credit for NeilsenIQ, the world’s leading consumer intelligence company.
Utilizing a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style format, the competition will take place on the first day of the conference. Three application winners will have exactly five minutes to pitch their product to a panel of judges. In addition to listening to the pitches, the judges will taste the product and ask questions. The winner will be announced later that day during the awards ceremony. This is sure to be an exciting portion of the conference and not to be missed!
Finalists
- Dunn Right Sauce
- Afishionado Fishmongers
- Distillery NB
Thank you to the Province of New Brunswick – Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries for their partnership of this award.
The ‘Rising Star of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has demonstrated strong market growth and expansion. The ‘Rising Star of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated how they have grown from start-up to a successful business with plans for future growth.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Be in business for less than 5 years.
- Demonstrated strong market growth and expansion.
The ‘Mover & Shaker of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has successfully demonstrated their growth and accomplishments within the industry as a mature business. The ‘Mover & Shaker of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated a strong go-to-market strategy and has plans on building on this regarding growth, markets, and/or products.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Be 4+ years in business.
- Demonstrate strong market growth and expansion.
The ‘Innovator of the Year’ recognizes an FBA member who has demonstrated initiatives to achieve growth through innovation. The ‘Innovator of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated how they challenge the status quo and have developed an innovative solution that successfully enables positive change to occur.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Demonstrate innovation in any of the following: processes, technology, ingredients, human resources, culture, engagement, sales and marketing, product development, health and safety, research and development.
The ‘Storyteller of the Year’ recognizes an FBA Member who has demonstrated their brand’s narrative in a compelling and engaging way. The ‘Storyteller of the Year’ has clearly demonstrated a strong marketing strategy and execution plan to build their brand.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Utilize a variety of consumer facing media to build brand awareness. This can include, but is not limited to, traditional and digital media and/or in-store activity.
- Demonstrate how their marketing initiatives and campaigns have been successful.
This award recognizes a company that consistently goes above and beyond in supplying exceptional products, services, or support to Atlantic Canada’s food and beverage industry. The Supplier of the Year demonstrates outstanding reliability, innovation, and commitment to building strong partnerships that help our sector thrive. Their contributions have had a significant impact on the success and growth of their clients and the broader industry.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Be 4+ years in business.
- Demonstrates outstanding reliability, responsiveness, and customer support tailored to the needs of Atlantic Canadian food and beverage businesses.
This award celebrates a food and beverage company that has achieved remarkable success in exporting Atlantic Canadian products beyond our borders. The Exporter of the Year demonstrates excellence in market development, international growth, and overcoming the challenges of competing on a global stage. Their efforts not only expand their own reach but also elevate the reputation of Atlantic Canadian products worldwide.
Eligibility:
Nominees must:
- Be an FBA member in good standing.
- Be 4+ years in business.
- Shows significant achievement in expanding into new markets outside Atlantic Canada, with measurable growth in export sales.
The Foodie’s Choice Award recognizes an FBA member’s product that goes beyond conventional norms, breaking new ground in taste, quality and presentation.
In 2025, the winner of the Foodie’s Choice Award will also win a $10,000 credit for NeilsenIQ, the world’s leading consumer intelligence company.
Utilizing a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style format, the competition will take place on the first day of the conference. Three application winners will have exactly five minutes to pitch their product to a panel of judges. In addition to listening to the pitches, the judges will taste the product and ask questions. The winner will be announced later that day during the awards ceremony. This is sure to be an exciting portion of the conference and not to be missed!
Criteria:
- You must be an FBA member in good standing.
- The company’s head office must be located in Atlantic Canada
- You must be a registered attendee on-site for the presentation and judging.
- You must be prepared to present your product within a 5-minute window to a panel of judges.
- Your product will be judged on:
- Taste/Flavour
- Presentation
- Innovation
- Packaging
The Nomination Process
- An individual can only be nominated for one award category, with the exception of the Foodie’s Choice Award – that is open to everyone regardless of whether they have applied for another award or not.
- If an individual is nominated for more than one award, they will be contacted to choose only one to apply for.
- Nominations are welcomed for any food processor within the Food and Beverage Industry.
- Nominees must be a member of good standing with Food and Beverage Atlantic.
- If you are nominating someone other than yourself, the person you are nominating must be aware of the nomination.
- The Judging Panel may contact members of the nominee’s organization to corroborate or obtain additional information.
- Closing date for nominations is June 30th, 2025 – Extended to July 14th, 2025.
- Nominations to be approved by the committee.
- Approved nominees will be notified of their nomination by July 15th, 2025 and asked to complete an application.
- Closing date for applications is July 28th, 2025.
- All finalists and winners to be selected by the judging panel the week of August 18th, 2025. Finalists will be notified after selection via email. Winners to be announced at the awards October 7th, 2025.
- Awards will be presented at the FBA Conference on October 7th, 2025. Awards will not be presented if nominations received aren’t suitable.
- All decisions of the Judging Panel and Awards Chair relating to the awards will be final.
You may name yourself, or another individual, as the nominee. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, the person you are nominating must be aware of the nomination. Please be sure they are advised before completing the nomination form.
A complete nomination has the following components:
- Nominator Name/Contact Information
- Nominee Name/Contact Information
- Summary of how nominee meets the listed criteria (500 words or less)
- Reference Contact Information
Use this form to complete your nomination. Once a nomination has been submitted it will be considered final and no changes may be made.
FBA Award Finalists and Winners
● Up to four finalists will be selected in the Storyteller of the Year, Mover & Shaker of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Rising Star Award, Supplier of the Year, and Exporter of the Year categories. Three finalists will be chosen for the Foodie’s Choice Award.
● 1 award will be presented in each category.
● All award winners are requested to attend the FBA Conference & Awards to accept their award.
● All award winners will be asked to deliver a short acceptance speech during the Awards ceremony.
Award Nomination Form
Nominations are now closed.
Register to attend Food & Beverage Atlantic's Annual Conference & Awards 2025!
Dates: October 6- 8, 2025
Location: Delta Beausejour, Moncton, NB
Ticket prices:
- Non-Member tickets are $595 each.
- Member Tickets are $395 each.
Membership starts at only $220 for the year!
Become a member and save $200 on your ticket – click here.
Register Today and enjoy Early Bird Savings – EXTENDED:
Register before July 14, 2025 and receive a guaranteed seat on “Crafted in Atlantic: Tasting Tour and Manufacturer Visits” on Monday, October 6, 5:00–9:00 pm
PLUS, receive an exclusive invitation to our VIP Breakfast Experience on October 7 — a premium networking event reserved only for early registrants.
👏 Thank You to Our 2025 Partners!
Special thanks to our partner Farm Credit Canada and the support of the Government of Canada for making this event possible.
Thank you to our Product Partners
🤝Interested in Being a Partner?
Partnering with the FBA Annual Conference is more than brand exposure; it’s a chance to connect directly with the movers and makers of Atlantic Canada’s thriving food and beverage sector. Align your brand with innovation, growth, and community, and showcase your support for the people who power our industry. If you’d like to join as a partner for the 2026 edition click below for more info.
“Attending the FBA conference was a great reality check for us. We left with valuable insights on how the industry is doing as a whole as well as key points to focus on (or not focus on) moving forward. It was a great opportunity to network, discuss challenges and successes for other manufacturers in the region.”
Robert van Waarden, Cider Maker – Red Island Cider
🥇 Our 2025 Winners
(L to R, Katherine Lanteigne, Distillerie New Brunswick Distillery; Lauren McKelvey, Cooke Inc.; Abhishek Asthana, Shivani’s Kitchen; Maureen Hanley, Navigate Food Safety Solutions; Tammy Brideau, Executive Director, Food & Beverage Atlantic; Marc Brown, Work Water Inc.; Kolade Boboye, Makye Clayton, Hope Blooms)
The 2025 Conference & Awards featured dynamic keynote presentations from Graham Sherman, Mike Fata, and Suzie Yorke, who inspired participants with forward-looking strategies and real-world insights on this year’s theme, “Leading Evolution.” Their sessions empowered attendees to embrace change, lead with purpose, and scale their businesses with both ambition and sustainability—driving growth across Atlantic Canada’s thriving food and beverage industry.
We’re proud to look back on the success of our first three FBA Industry Conferences, where we celebrated some of Atlantic Canada’s brightest food and beverage innovators. Each year, our awards highlight the outstanding finalists and winners who drive excellence in our industry. We invite you to explore our past award finalists and get inspired by the remarkable talent and innovation within our community.