The 2026 Industry Pivot: Turning Economic Uncertainty into a Competitive Advantage

In a market where costs burn faster than revenue, costs rise and disruption becomes the norm, intuition is no longer a strategy. The leaders who are staying ahead are not doing it alone but learning from each other. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of an open, honest conversation that could shape the way you lead tomorrow.  

Join Mr Desmond Choo (Minister of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC) as he delivers the keynote address, followed by an industry sharing by Mr Terry Tan (CEO, Country Foods).This session is designed for leaders who refuses to be left behind, perspectives on navigating global disruption, restructuring cost models and building long-term resilience.  

The conversation continues with a panel discussion featuring Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Terry Tan, alongside with voices from Ms Ong Huey Hong (Assistant Chief Executive, Industry Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board (STB)) and Mr Manu Bhaskaran (Founding CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors), diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry.   

Beyond the sharing and panel discussion, leaders will also have opportunities to dive into specialized tracks covering Business Innovation and Sustainability alongside key information on the Workplace Fairness Act (WFA). 

Programme Outline: 

Session Deep Dives:  

• Keynote Address: Global Shifts, Local Impact: Strengthening Businesses and the Future of Work (By Mr. Desmond Choo, Minister of State for Defence, Ministry of Defence,  Deputy Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress) 
  This keynote will provide a strategic overview of the current global business landscape and its implications for Singapore. Learn how organisations can drive transformation and workforce development, with support from Tripartite partners.  
  

• Industry Sharing: Strategising Business Cost Structures and Managing Supply Chain Disruption  
  (By Mr. Terry Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Country Foods) 
  Practical insights on restructuring cost structures to meet new business challenges, complemented by use-case sharing on preventing and mitigating supply chain disruptions.  
   

• Panel Discussion on Navigating Uncertainty, Repositioning for Opportunities  
  This session features leaders from the public and private sectors sharing industry perspectives, macroeconomic insights, and data-driven findings from academic research. Participants will gain takeaways on building organisational resilience amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.  
   

Two Breakout Workshops (You may choose 1 workshop to attend)  

1)    Workshop 1: Business Innovation & Sustainability  
Sharing by business leaders on driving innovation through new products, services, and sustainable practices to unlock growth opportunities. 

• Food Innovation – New Avenue Streams  
  (By Dr. Kwan Lui, Founder and Director, At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy)
• Your Company Next Move – Leveraging Competitive Advantages to Build a Sustainable Business  
  (By Dr. Rachel Ooi, Founder of Antioch Streams™ & Mangrove Mutuals™) 

2)    Workshop 2: Workplace Fairness Act (WFA)  
Sharing by MOM Director and Employment Lawyer to provide practical insights into WFA implementation, including real scenarios and how employers can prepare for compliance and fair workplace practices.  

• Understanding WFA Implementation: Real Scenarios and What They Mean  
  (By Ms. Faith Li, Director (Industrial Relations), Ministry of Manpower) 
• From Risks to Readiness: How Employers Can Prevent and Prepare Compliance begins before a complaint is filed  
  (By Mr Ng Zhao Yang, Principal, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow) 

Secure Your Invitation 

This event is the essential hub for the architects of Singapore’s food and hospitality world. We invite Business Owners, CEOs, and HR Leaders representing the full spectrum of the ecosystem, from the high output environments of Food Manufacturing and the complex logistics of Wholesale Supermarkets, to the front lines of Global Hospitality and Food Services. If your role involves safeguarding margins, navigating regulatory shifts, or leading a transforming workforce, this dialogue is built for you. 

Venue: Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy (50 East Coast Road, Singapore 428769)  
Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026 
Time: 12.00pm – 4.30pm 

Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
We would like to invite up to 2 representatives from your organisation to attend. 

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 6.00pm 

Note:  
Participants may indicate their preferred breakout workshop 1 or 2  during registration.  
You may appoint a main point of contact to submit the registration on behalf of your attendees in a single submission.  

Lead the transition. Secure your organization’s future. 

Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU)