Monday, September 24, 2018 marked day one of the 2018 IBC Global Forum. IBC president Giancarlo Barzotti welcomed participants and introduced the IBC Board of Directors. Paul Michalowski, IBC program chair, outlined the schedule for the two-day conference and invited participants to get acquainted by introducing themselves and their companies. The group included CEOs and company founders, managers of international sales, merchandising, marketing and business development as well as IHA representatives from Europe, Central and South America, India and Canada.

First time IBC attendees along with veterans in the export business looked forward to learning from the retailer presenters and from their supplier peers about timely issues such as tariffs and changing international trade agreements. The schedule included Executive Education, General Sessions with presentations from retailers and distributors, and a Strategic Problem Solving Session. Day one concluded with an off-site dinner at Gusto 101 in Toronto, giving attendees the opportunity to mingle and continue to network with industry peers:

For recaps from the 2018 Global Forum sessions and presentations, read additional articles in the IBC section of the IHA blog.