GCCA European Cold Chain Conference - Program

Programme

Programming subject to change.

The European Cold Chain Conference provides a unique stage to understand market developments and upcoming trends, to address leading cold chain issues and learn about latest innovations with industry captains and business experts.

This is your premier opportunity to connect with the leaders and ideas shaping our industry. We encourage you to explore the complete programme for the 2026 GCCA European Cold Chain Conference to discover the sessions and speakers you can't afford to miss.

Wednesday, 18 March

Cold Chain Café | 10:30 - 12:15

The Cold Chain Café is a roundtable discussion component of the program where attendees will participate in valuable dialogue with their peers. Participants will engage in up to 3 fast-paced, 15-minute discussions and choose several hot topics such as:

Energy and Sustainability

AI Integration in the Cold Chain

Market Disruptions & Evolutions

Practical HR: The Impact of Absenteeism

Transport Decarbonization

Controlled Environment Design

Plenary Session | 13:30 - 15:00

Join us for opening remarks in this event plenary session. Prepare to be challenged and inspired by global leaders, economic forecasters, and technology visionaries. Our plenary session presentations will deliver forward-thinking insights on the most pressing "now and next" issues.

GCCA State of the Association

GCCA leadership will provide a detailed overview of the organization's current priorities and plans for 2026.

German Market Insights

Sabine Eichner, Managing Director, DTI

Germany’s frozen food and logistics market is a cornerstone of Europe’s food economy, valued at billions of euros and driven by steady growth in consumer demand for convenience and quality. Recent trends show rising consumption of frozen products across retail and foodservice channels, fueled by changing lifestyles and sustainability priorities. At the same time, the industry faces challenges such as energy costs, supply chain resilience, and evolving regulatory frameworks that shape operations and compliance. Leading executives will share insights on how companies are adapting to these dynamics, leveraging innovation and efficiency to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Customer Insights: Sustainability, Consumption Trends, Technology; Future of Products and Supply Chain

Explore the latest trends shaping the food production and manufacturing sector, from growth patterns and evolving consumption behaviors to the key factors driving strategic decisions and supply chain redesign. This session will examine how sustainability goals, macroeconomic shifts, geopolitics, and technological advancements influence operations, and discuss expectations for supply chain and logistics networks to optimize efficiency and support seamless product distribution.

Education Sessions | 15:30 - 16:45

While the plenary sessions provide broad inspiration, our Education Sessions offer a unique opportunity to drill down into the critical details that impact your daily operations. Complementing the general conference programming, these sessions provide targeted learning on a variety of industry-specific topics.

Beyond F-Gas: Decoding the Future of Refrigeration Technology, from Warehouse to Wheel

The cold chain is facing a radical transformation. Driven by the F-gas phase-out, a new landscape of technologies and alternative refrigerants is emerging. This session cuts through the noise to analyze the innovations that will define the future of cold storage and transportation. We'll map the development of next-gen systems and discuss their profound impact on everything from operational strategy and facility design to the complex demands of small-package e-commerce. Don't just prepare for the future—get ready to build it.

The People Factor: Solving Today's Absenteeism While Building Tomorrow's Logistics Workforce

This session tackles the dual challenge facing every HR and operations leader: managing the immediate operational drag of absenteeism while simultaneously preparing for a complex future. First, we will dive into the root causes of absenteeism, quantifying its true impact on efficiency and the bottom line, and offering proven strategies for prevention and mitigation. Then, we pivot to the future, outlining a practical roadmap for identifying, training, and retaining the talent needed to operate the next generation of digitized and automated logistics.

Thursday, 19 March

Plenary Session | 9:00 - 10:30

Leadership Outlook: The Future of European Industry & Markets

The European industry is navigating a perfect storm of economic headwinds, regulatory shifts, and rapid technological disruption. How are leaders steering their organizations through this complex environment? This dynamic panel discussion brings together industry-defining executives to debate the "real-time" state of the European market. We'll explore the trends that are fundamentally reshaping business models, competitive landscapes, and investment priorities. This is not just a review of the market; it's a strategic conversation about building resilience and driving growth in uncertain times.

Safe & Secure Trade: Reducing Border Friction through EU Policy and Digitization

Long border delays and security threats are a major drag on economic growth. This session tackles the challenge head-on. We'll explore how advanced digitization is cutting through red tape and reducing critical friction points at EU borders.

Education Sessions | 11:00 - 12:15

The plenary sessions show you what is next. The Education Sessions drill down into the critical details, and these Education Sessions teach you how to implement it.

Each session provides targeted, industry-specific learning designed to complement the main stage program. Bring your specific challenges. This is your chance to engage directly with experts, ask in-depth questions, and leave with actionable solutions.

AI Hype vs. Cyber Reality: A Practical Workshop

Jonathan Cook, Information Security Director, Constellation Cold Logistics

This session is all about practical reality. Forget the futuristic hype. Let's talk about what AI means for your business today and how it has already changed the game for cybersecurity. We'll explore the gap between what AI promised and what it’s delivering, and how you can equip your workforce with the skills to close that gap. The conversation will explore:

What are the AI applications used in cold chain logistics and their possible unwanted intrusions?
What are the keys to prevent cyber breaches and secure infrastructure and transportation systems in the most efficient way?
How do you train a workforce to make them risk-averse?

Most importantly, we'll run through the practical cyber hygiene your team needs to defend against AI-powered threats. This is a pure Q&A and workshop session; come with questions.

Plenary Session | 13:15 - 14:25

The New Infrastructure Imperative: Funding a Resilient, Low-Carbon Future

Chris Hegadorn, Adjunct Professor of Global Food Politics, Sciences Po Paris

The cold chain is at the nexus of Europe's greatest challenges: energy security, decarbonisation, and financial volatility. This high-level session will provide a strategic overview of how the industry is building a more resilient future. Our expert speakers will analyze the "twin energy challenge" of managing the massive power consumption of cold stores while simultaneously planning for the large-scale electrification of fleets.

Education Sessions | 14:30 - 15:30

Are You Ready for AI & Cyber Security?

With the rise of AI use in communications and businesses, we see increasing cyber risks that make business more vulnerable than before. What are the AI applications used in cold chain logistics and possible unwanted intrusions? What are the keys to prevent cyber breaches and secure infrastructure and transportation systems in the most efficient way? How to train workforce to make them risk-averse?

Fully Automated Operations & CO2 Refrigeration

Plenary Session | 15:40 - 16:45

Supply Chain & Macro Economic Mega Trends

The era of predictable globalization is over. Today's leaders are navigating a new landscape defined by economic fragmentation, digital acceleration, and the intense demands of decarbonization. To make sense of this volatility, this session will provide a powerful, high-level briefing on the global mega trends that are forcing a fundamental rethink of every supply chain. This is your opportunity to gain a unique perspective on the forces that will define the next decade of trade and logistics.

Friday, 20 March

Facility Visit | 8:00 - 14:00

Join a guided visit to e-retailer Pic-Nic's automated fulfillment center in Oberhausen. Pic-Nic has recently launched a highly automated fulfillment center in Oberhausen, Germany, marking a major milestone in its expansion within the German market. The facility features cutting-edge automation to ensure optimal efficiency and customer service.

The facility visit will highlight several of the special warehouse capabilities, including:

A warehouse powered by 1,500 autonomous robots.
Operations in 3 temperature zones (-18°C to +20°C) for product quality.
Orders processed at 60+ workstations and dedicated high-volume zones.
Processes up to 33,000 customer orders daily.

This tour will sell out! The tour requires pre-registration and has an additional fee. Add this to your cart at checkout today.

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