8th Annual reCONNECT
Two Day Virtual Conference: October 21st - 22nd
The Connected Future of the Food Industry
Trustwell’s annual virtual event uniting the industry’s leading voices around traceability, transparency, and transformation.
What's in Store at reCONNECT 2025?
The 8th Annual reCONNECT: The Connected Future of the Food Industry is a two-day virtual event designed for food safety, quality, regulatory, and supply chain professionals. With daily, live keynotes and a rich session agenda, registrants will explore how technology, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration are transforming the way food and beverage brands improve (and maintain) food safety, build supply chain resilience, and meet evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.
LEAD THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Hear from industry innovators setting new benchmarks in traceability and compliance.
CONNECT YOUR NETWORK
Build meaningful connections with fellow food industry peers, partners, and experts.
GO BEYOND COMPLIANCE
See how achieving regulatory readiness drives a competitive advantage for your business.
ACCELERATE IMPLEMENTATION
Gain practical strategies for integrating traceability, labeling, and quality tech.
Join reCONNECT 2025 and Shape the Future of FOOD SAFETY BRAND RESILIENCE TRANSPARENCY INNOVATION
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS YEAR'S SESSIONS
12-1:15 PM EST | Welcome to reCONNECT Day 1 + Keynote Session
Welcome to Day 1 of reCONNECT 2025
KATY JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | TRUSTWELL
Trustwell CEO, Katy Jones, kicks off reCONNECT 2025 with an inspiring look at the future of food safety and transparency. She shares how Trustwell is connecting people, processes, and technology to build a safer, smarter supply chain, from recipe to recall, and sets the stage for two days of innovation and collaboration under the theme, “The Connected Future of the Food Industry.”
Leading Food Safety in Complex Global Operations
DOM MITIAL, VP OF FOOD SAFETY, QUALITY & REGULATORY | GOLDBERGS GROUP
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
Maintaining food safety in a global, fast-moving supply chain takes leadership. In this session, Dominique Mitial shares lessons from the airline catering industry and explores how food safety culture, values, and accountability drive real results across complex operations. He’ll outline why leadership is the critical factor in sustaining safe practices, especially when operations stretch across borders and teams.
Following the presentation, we’ll open the floor for live Q&A to explore the real-world challenges attendees are facing in building or reinforcing food safety culture.
1:20-1:55 PM EST | Beyond Borders: Lessons from the Front Lines of Food Industry Compliance
NATALJA PAGE, HEAD OF TECHNICAL & QA | FIVE GUYS
MEGAN MURPHY, REGULATORY TEAM MANAGER | TRUSTWELL
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
Global food companies face a delicate balancing act: complying with diverse local regulations while maintaining a consistent brand experience worldwide. This session explores how teams collaborate across regions, adapt to evolving labeling and ingredient standards, and manage supply chain constraints while staying aligned and operationally efficient.
We will discuss how cross-regional collaboration among the U.S., EU, Asia, and other markets helps ensure compliance without compromising quality, and how forward-thinking companies are building scalable strategies to align global operations with local expectations.
2:00-2:45 PM EST | The Key to Your Technology Stack: Collaboration
PATTI BLESSING, SENIOR SALES MANAGER, RFID RETAIL & HOSPITALITY | ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY & INSIGHTS, JULIE MCGILL
From farm to store, capturing clean data is the foundation of effective traceability. In this session, Julie McGill of Trustwell and Patty Blessing of Zebra Technologies explain how AIDC technologies like barcodes and RFID support visibility, safety, and efficiency across the supply chain.
They’ll also highlight how collaboration between operators, solution providers, and standards organizations is key to building a connected, scalable tech stack that’s ready for evolving regulations like FSMA 204.
2:50-3:20 PM EST | Driving Supplier Success: Building Relationships Through Compliance & Collaboration
MEGHAN BOYLE, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - PRODUCT aND DOCUMENTATION SPECIALIST | WAWA INC.
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, EMMA KILLOUGH
Learn how Wawa elevated supplier performance and accelerated onboarding with a hands-on, people-first approach to FoodLogiQ. In this session, Meghan Boyle from Wawa joins Trustwell’s Emma Killough to share real-world tactics for building trust, improving supplier responsiveness, and managing data expectations.
Whether you’re just starting with supplier outreach or looking to improve current performance, you’ll gain actionable ideas from a team that made it work (without shortcuts!)
3:20-3:45 PM EST | Operational Transformation: How Taco John’s Adapts, Innovates, and Stays True
BRANDO TIJERINA, DIRECTOR OF FOOD SAFETY, QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND COMMERCIALIZATION | TACO JOHN'S
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
How do you evolve a legacy brand without losing what made it beloved in the first place? In this session, Taco John’s shares how they’re navigating industry-wide disruption by adapting operations, engaging frontline teams, and using innovation to stay relevant; all while protecting the core experience their loyal customers expect.
We’ll explore the role of back-to-basics execution, data-informed decision-making, and agile testing strategies that help the team move quickly without overextending. If you’re working through transformation while trying to maintain your identity, this session will offer practical insights and a real-world case study on balance.
12-1:15 PM EST | Welcome to reCONNECT Day 2 + Live Keynote Session
Welcome to Day 2 of reCONNECT 2025
KATY JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | TRUSTWELL
In her closing remarks, CEO Katy Jones explores how traceability and transparency create a competitive advantage for the modern food industry. She highlights the opportunity for companies to lead through digital transformation and proactive compliance, leaving attendees with a clear vision for building a stronger, more connected supply chain together.
Global Sourcing Meets Traceability: How to Build Resilience from the Ground Up
TAKASHI NAKAMURA, VP OF CORPORATE R&D AND FOOD SAFETY | FRESH DEL MONTE
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF SUPPLY CHAIN & INSIGHTS, JULIE MCGILL
Global food sourcing has never been more complex. From stricter pesticide limits and traceability expectations to climate-driven disruptions and costly tariffs, brands are being pushed to adapt fast or risk falling behind. In this session, Takashi Nakamura shares how companies can navigate these intersecting pressures while maintaining food safety and supplier integrity across borders. He’ll explore practical examples, emerging risks, and why traceability, supplier engagement, and data-driven decision-making are critical to long-term resilience.
1:15-2:00 PM EST | The Path Forward: What’s Next for FSMA 204 Implementation
JULIE MCGILL, VICE PRESIDENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY & INSIGHTS, TRUSTWELL
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
Join Julie McGill, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Insights at Trustwell, for an insightful discussion on how leading companies are transforming FSMA 204 compliance into a catalyst for operational excellence. With the FDA’s extended timeline offering new breathing room, this session explores how forward-thinking brands are using this time to strengthen supplier engagement, modernize data systems, and drive cross-functional alignment. Learn practical steps for getting started, overcoming implementation hurdles, and using traceability as a strategic tool to build resilience, efficiency, and trust across your supply chain.
2:05-2:40 PM EST | Breaking Down Silos in Food Companies: Bringing Together R&D and Food Safety
LAURA MCCREADY, DIRECTOR OF FOOD SAFETY | rESER'S FINE FOODS
JEN FALKENBERG, MANAGER OF R&D TECHNICAL & INGREDIENT | rESER'S FINE FOODS
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
Innovation in food manufacturing depends on collaboration between Research & Development and Food Safety, yet these teams often operate in silos. R&D drives speed to market, while Food Safety focuses on compliance, quality, and risk reduction. In this session, Laura McCready and Jen Falkenberg of Reser’s Fine Foods will share strategies to bridge these gaps, showing how stronger cross-functional alignment not only accelerates product innovation but also safeguards compliance and brand trust.
You’ll also learn how FoodLogiQ can support this collaboration by centralizing data, streamlining supplier communication, and improving transparency across the supply chain, equipping food companies to balance innovation with safety and move forward together.
2:45-3:20 PM EST | The Three Cs of Food Safety: What You're Missing
SHARON BEALS, CONSULTANT | BEACONPOINT LABS
MODERATED BY TRUSTWELL'S VP OF MARKETING, LYDIA ADAMS
Food safety programs are only as strong as the people behind them, yet sustaining a company culture of doing the right thing can be one of the biggest challenges for food companies today. In this session, Sharon Beals of Beaconpoint Labs joins Lydia Adams to discuss what it takes to build and maintain this culture across operations. She’ll share lessons learned from decades in the industry, practical approaches to team alignment, and why clarity, communication, and consistency matter more than ever in a fast-moving supply chain.
3:25-3:55 PM EST | Trustwell Connect: How Far We've Come
TODD DOLINSKY, CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER, TRUSTWELL
JULIE MCGILL, VICE PRESIDENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY & INSIGHTS, TRUSTWELL
Join Chief Product Officer Todd Dolinsky, and VP of Supply Chain Strategy & Insights, Julie McGill, for an inside look at how AI is transforming Trustwell Connect and shaping the future of food supply chain management. This session showcases new features on our technology roadmap and where we’re headed in 2026, highlighting how automation, data integration, and user-driven innovation are enhancing compliance, usability, and connectivity across Genesis Foods and FoodLogiQ. Discover how AI-powered advancements are building a safer, smarter, and more connected food industry.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR RECONNECT 2025
Space is limited for live session access. Secure your invitation today.
EXPLORE THE FEATURED SPEAKERS
HEAR FROM PAST ATTENDEES
COMMON FAQS:
Do I Need to be a Trustwell Customer to Attend reCONNECT?
All customers and prospects are welcome to register for reCONNECT 2025.
Can I Access Sessions After the Event?
Yes, the event program will be accessible online to reconnect registrants. There will be an on demand library of sessions.
Is There a Cost to Attend reCONNECT?
Registration for reCONNECT is free!
What Time Zone is the Event Scheduled in?
The event schedule is Eastern Standard time zone. Please note, your join details are automatically updated to the time zone you are in.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Event?
For questions, please email webinars@trustwell.com.
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR RECONNECT 2025!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY: TRUSTWELL
We’re excited to combine trusted industry expertise and cutting-edge solutions with expert-led sessions, for the 8th year in a row, to bring you reCONNECT 2025. With decades of domain experience, Trustwell brings together Genesis Foods and FoodLogiQ to deliver expert insights in supply chain traceability, AI-powered regulatory compliance, and industry-wide collaboration. Just what you need to lead the future of food safety and compliance.
ALWAYS AHEAD
CONNECTED FOR FOOD
BUILT BY EXPERTS
OVER
YEARS
DEDICATED TO THE FOOD INDUSTRY