Organic Summit 2026
About this Event
❗️Please ensure to fill out the entire order form for your tickets after paying for your ticket. This includes what events you will be attending during the time period of November 1-3.
❗️Are you a COTA member and looking for your 15% discount code to register? Contact [email protected] for the discount code or check one of our recent mailings.
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Register now to attend COTA's Organic Summit 2026!
COTA's flagship event, the Organic Summit, will take place on Monday, November 2, 2026, in Ottawa, followed by a Parliamentary Reception on Parliament Hill. The following day, our exciting members-only Parliament Advocacy Day occurs on Tuesday, November 3. Dive into this event which offers inspiring presentations and networking opportunities focused on the organic market and trade insights, with cutting edge research unveiled.
Organic Summit Pre-Event (COTA members only):
- Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Time: 1pm-4:30pm ET
- Location: Mackenzie Room, Lord Elgin
- What's in Store: Join other organic leaders to discuss organic strategy and the regulatory changes requiring advocacy to grow the organic sector in this must-attend event. (This focused event is reserved for COTA members only.) Free with Summit registration.
Day 1, Organic Summit:
- Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Time: 8:00am - 4:30pm ET
- Location: The Pearson Room, Lord Elgin Hotel
- What’s in Store: Thought-provoking presentations, cutting edge research and a unique opportunity to network with other members of the organic community.
Join us in-person or virtually. - Wordly translation will be available
- Parliamentary Reception: Commencing at 5:30pm, we will shift to Parliament Hill to engage with MPs and Senators at an organic reception.
Day 2, Organic Parliament Day (COTA members only):
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Time: 7:00am - 4:00pm ET
Meeting Space: St. Laurent Room, Lord Elgin
What's in Store: Unite with other organic leaders as we organize in teams to advocate for the sector in meetings with Members of Parliament and Senators.
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❗️Are you a COTA member and qualify for the 15% discount to register? Contact [email protected] for the discount code.
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:50 AM
Growing Organic for a Resilient and Competitive Food System
Host: Eduardo Cucoco
Info: How can investment in organic strengthen businesses across the food chain, develop markets and help food systems withstand shocks?
Drawing on European experience, Eduardo Cuoco, Director of IFOAM Organics Europe, will explore how organic action plans, public procurement and cooperation within rural territories can support organic development. Practical examples will illustrate how farmers, processors, traders, retailers and public authorities can work together to strengthen supply chains, retain value in rural communities and create business opportunities. The session will consider progress, remaining challenges and approaches that could be relevant to Canada.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:05 AM
Marketing Organic at Canadian Retail
Host: François Pelletier
Info: How can retailers and brands earn consumer trust and drive growth for organic in an increasingly competitive marketplace? Join a leading retailer of organic, a brand, and a leading Quebec distributor of organic foods, as they explore the strategies, partnerships, and shopper experiences helping organic succeed at retail. From merchandising and marketing to consumer education and engagement, discover what's resonating with Canadian shoppers and how organic businesses can build stronger retail connections that drive sales and long-term loyalty.
🕑: 11:05 AM - 11:55 AM
Capturing the Full Impact of Organic and Regenerative Systems
Host: Dr. Amber Sciligo
Info: Sustainability impact reporting is becoming a business reality across food supply chains, driven by regulations, market demands, retailer requirements, and corporate commitments. As demand for this information grows, so does the need for tools and evidence that adequately captures the outcomes of different farming systems. Existing approaches, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), provide valuable insights, but gaps in data, indicators, and application can limit how well these assessments capture the complexities, benefits, trade-offs, and broader ecological outcomes of organic, regenerative, and perennial agriculture.
🕑: 12:55 PM - 01:45 PM
Building Domestic Organic Markets Through Institutional Procurement
Host: Carolyn Webb
Info: Institutional procurement can do more than purchase food. It can help strengthen local and domestic food systems, support organic producers and businesses, ensure healthier food reaches more people, and create lasting economic benefits for communities.
This panel will explore how schools and other public institutions can use their purchasing power to strengthen local and regional supply chains and create long-term market opportunities for farmers, processors, traders and the wider organic sector. Drawing on experiences from Canada, the United States and Europe, panelists will discuss how policy, procurement and collaboration across the value chain can support resilient communities, healthier food systems and sustainable market growth.
🕑: 02:05 PM - 02:50 PM
The Gen Z Opportunity
Host: Francis Parisien
Info: Gen Z is becoming one of the most influential forces in food and organic purchasing. Join a market researcher known for helping brands grow through data-driven insights and an innovative organic entrepreneur as they combine emerging consumer data with real-world growth experience to reveal what motivates Canada's next generation of organic shoppers. Discover the trends, values, and opportunities that will help your business connect with the consumers shaping the future of organic.
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:15 PM
Charting the Path Forward: Organic's Role in Canada's Agri-Food Strategy
Host: Tom Rosser
Info: How can Organic be positioned at the forefront of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food policy given shifts in consumer demand towards healthy eating, global growth opportunities, and its ability to open markets? Join senior Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada leadership for a dynamic fireside chat exploring the opportunities ahead for organic and its role in advancing Canada’s priorities for trade, food security, market development, competitiveness and sector growth.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Preparing to Advocate for Organic – Parliament Day Briefing
Host: My-Lien Bosch
Info: Organic Parliament Day is where preparation turns into action. Together, we are taking the priorities of Canada's organic sector directly to Parliament Hill and engaging the federal decision-makers who can help move them forward. Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned participant, this final briefing will build on your earlier training, sharpen our shared messages, provide the context and tools you need, and walk you through the game plan. You will leave ready to make your voice heard and champion organic with confidence, clarity and impact.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 242.19 to CAD 807.83
