About
As food and beverage companies prepare for 2027, shifting economic conditions are creating a complex environment for growth. Consumers remain focused on affordability, businesses continue to face cost and margin pressures, and investment in AI is reshaping everything from global growth and financing to operations and supply chains.

Join The Food Institute on December 1 at 2 p.m. ET for a forward-looking discussion featuring Estelle Ou of Bloomberg Economics, François Bourdeau, Senior Analyst, Consumer Products at RSM Canada, and Todd Giles, Managing Director and Group Head of the Food, Consumer & Agribusiness team at BMO.

Our panel will examine the economic trends shaping 2027 and what they mean for food and beverage businesses, from consumer spending and profitability to investment, financing, and growth opportunities.

Key topics will include:

  • The global economic outlook and where growth opportunities are emerging
  • Inflation, interest rates, tariffs, and their impact on food and beverage companies
  • How affordability pressures are changing consumer spending and purchasing behavior
  • The outlook for restaurants, retailers, producers, and consumer brands
  • How AI investment is influencing financing, supply chains, productivity, and operational strategy
  • What current conditions could mean for M&A, investment, and expansion in 2027

    Gain perspectives from leaders across economics, banking, and advisory services and walk away with a clearer view of the risks and opportunities food and beverage businesses should be preparing for in the year ahead.
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    Sponsored by:

    RSM US LLP

    RSM helps food and beverage clients navigate changing market demands, rising costs, and evolving supply chain challenges with digital transformation and operational strategies. RSM US LLP is the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent assurance, tax, and consulting firms with 64,000 people in 120 countries.

    To learn more, visit RSM US.

    BMO
    Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group

    Whether you’re a producer, processor, retailer or distributor every company throughout the food and beverage continuum needs a financial partner that understands the factors that impact their business. From emerging consumer trends and industry consolidation, to commodity fluctuations and economic cyclicality, BMO’s Food, Consumer, and Agribusiness Group understands the issues affecting your company and are dedicated to serving the entire food and beverage industry – from farm to consumer.

    To learn more about how we can help, visit http://commercial.bmo.com/food.
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When
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 · 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US & Canada) (GMT -5:00)
Presenters
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Estelle Ou
Economist at Bloomberg
Estelle Ou is an economist on the Global Modelling Team at Bloomberg Economics, where she covers global macroeconomic and financial topics. Previously, she was a US economist at Bloomberg Economics. Prior to joining Bloomberg, she worked in the Markets Room at the US Treasury and in the Global Financial Flows section at the Federal Reserve Board.
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François Bourdeau
Senior Analyst, Consumer Products, RSM Canada
As a business development director at RSM Canada, François brings innovative ideas and solutions to clients, helping them select and implement the right technology platforms for their organizations across a variety of industries.

In addition, François serves as a senior analyst in the consumer products industry practice and is a member of the firm’s Industry Eminence Program. In this role, he works alongside RSM’s chief economist and fellow senior analysts to research and assess, forecast and communicate economic, business and technology trends affecting middle market businesses.

With over 20 years of experience in the technology consulting sector, François has worked with organizations across North America and globally who are leveraging technology to transform their organizations. He has deep experience with enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems, as well as projects spanning industrials, professional services, food and beverage, and retail organizations.

François holds a Network Technology Diploma from CDI College.
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Todd Giles
BMO Managing Director and Group Head of Food, Consumer & Agribusiness
Todd Giles is Managing Director and Group Head of Food, Consumer & Agribusiness at BMO, where he leads a team providing financial and strategic advisory services to global corporate clients. With 30 years of financial services experience, he has driven significant business growth by expanding industry specialization, strengthening client partnerships, and implementing strategic initiatives.

Todd established BMO’s Atlanta Commercial Banking office in 2012, laying the foundation for a regional expansion that now includes more than 40 bankers. Previously, he held investment banking roles at J.P. Morgan and BMO. A dedicated mentor, he has helped over 60 Morehouse College graduates secure positions at BMO and serves on the boards of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Youth Villages.

Todd holds a JD and MBA from Vanderbilt University, a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
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