Forward Summit 2026
About this Event
Taking place in Amsterdam on November 5–6, 2026, the first-ever is more than a conference about what needs to change. It’s a place to meet the people making it happen.
The Forward Summit brings together 200+ industry experts, procurement leaders, underrepresented suppliers, and ESG practitioners to build and drive a European vision for social impact through inclusive procurement.
Over two days, explore how inclusive procurement, ESG commitments, and social impact can move forward together through expert talks, practical insights, supplier perspectives, one-on-one meetings, and meaningful connections.
Who's behind the Summit?
The Forward Summit is co-hosted by , , and . Three organizations coming together around a shared vision for more inclusive procurement, stronger partnerships, and greater social impact across Europe.
Come for the conversations, stay for the connections. Leave with new opportunities!
Join us and be part of the Forward Summit this November!
Day 1 Program
Day 1 · Building the European Vision
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Doors, Registrations & Coffee
Info: Start the Summit with coffee, meet fellow attendees, explore the agenda, and plan your day.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:50 AM
Welcome to the Forward Summit
Info: EGLCC, ESDP, and telos open Forward Summit 2026 with a shared ambition: to connect the people who can make inclusive sourcing work at scale and turn conversation into meaningful action.
🕑: 09:50 AM - 10:40 AM
Setting the European Context: Why Europe is Different
Info: Why does Europe need its own approach to inclusive sourcing? Explore the specifics of European markets, fragmented national approaches, ownership diversity, the social economy, policy, procurement, and the opportunities this creates.
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:30 AM
The New EU Public Procurement Framework
Info: How will the new EU public procurement framework shape business opportunities? Explore the changes, challenges, and implications for corporations and small businesses across Europe.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Break the Ice: Network & Connect
Info: Take a break over a cup of coffee, continue the conversation, and meet new contacts.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Inside the Supplier Communities
Info: Hear directly from LGBTIQ, ethnic-minority, and social-economy businesses about their experiences in the market. From accessing opportunities and navigating barriers to building sustainable growth.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Procurement Masterclass: How Buying Actually Happens
Info: How does corporate procurement actually work? Get practical insight into sourcing cycles, categories, frameworks, onboarding, compliance, and, crucially, how suppliers can reach the people making purchasing decisions.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
Info: Connect over themed buyer tables with the right people and explore potential opportunities. An easy way to start conversations and discover potential business connections.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Curated 1:1 Matchmaking with Specific Requests from Corporates
Info: Move from networking to targeted business connections. Prearranged one-on-one meetings connect underrepresented suppliers with buyers for focused conversations around real procurement opportunities.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
General Roundtables and Structured Networking
Info: Practical insight for suppliers ready to grow. Explore what it takes to win business with multinational companies, alongside focused roundtables and ecosystem conversations for deeper discussion and connection.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Networking Workshop: Mastering the Art of Networking
Info: Discover practical techniques to network with confidence, build genuine relationships, communicate your value, and create meaningful connections that can lead to new opportunities.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:15 PM
Recap: From Insight to Action & Day 1 Close
Info: Bring the day’s ideas together, identify the themes that matter most, and connect them to the Amsterdam Principles. What have we learned, what needs to change, and what should we take forward together?
🕑: 05:15 PM
Evening Reception
Info: Keep the connections going. Join fellow attendees, speakers, buyers, and suppliers for an evening of curated networking, conversation, and a special performance before drinks and informal connections continue.
Surprise Performance: Something to sparkle up the evening!
Day 2 Program
Day 2 · Turning Intent into Procurement
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Doors, Coffee & Connections
Info: Start the day with coffee, conversations, and new connections. Meet fellow attendees, plan your day, and explore the agenda for Day 2.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
European Perspectives: One Europe, Multiple Markets
Info: In Europe, inclusive sourcing does not look the same everywhere. Explore different regional and thematic perspectives and what they mean for businesses looking to build more inclusive supply chains.
🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Day 2 Provocation: The 2030 Challenge
Info: What could success look like by 2030? A senior corporate perspective sets the challenge for the day and asks what needs to change now to create meaningful progress in inclusive sourcing.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Break the Ice: Network & Connect
Info: Take a break over a cup of coffee, continue the conversation, and meet new contacts.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Amsterdam Principles
Info: Now it’s time to turn the conversation into a shared commitment. Review the Amsterdam Principles shaped by the discussions across the Summit and have your say through a live vote. Together, we’ll define a practical framework for moving inclusive sourcing forward across Europe.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
Info: Continue the conversation over lunch themed buyer tables with procurement leaders, suppliers, partners, and peers.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Workshops
Info: Practical insight for suppliers ready to grow. Explore what it takes to win business with multinational companies, alongside ecosystem conversations for deeper discussion and connection.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
From Amsterdam to Action
Info: Three voices. Three commitments. One shared direction. Buyers, suppliers, and advocacy leaders make commitments to take inclusive sourcing forward after the Summit.
🕑: 04:00 PM
Summit Close
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 210.00 to EUR 625.00
