Forward Summit 2026

Taking place in Amsterdam on November 5–6, 2026, the first-ever is more than a conference about what needs to change. It’s a place to meet the people making it happen.

The Forward Summit brings together 200+ industry experts, procurement leaders, underrepresented suppliers, and ESG practitioners to build and drive a European vision for social impact through inclusive procurement.

Over two days, explore how inclusive procurement, ESG commitments, and social impact can move forward together through expert talks, practical insights, supplier perspectives, one-on-one meetings, and meaningful connections.

The Forward Summit is co-hosted by , , and . Three organizations coming together around a shared vision for more inclusive procurement, stronger partnerships, and greater social impact across Europe.

Info: Start the Summit with coffee, meet fellow attendees, explore the agenda, and plan your day.

Info: EGLCC, ESDP, and telos open Forward Summit 2026 with a shared ambition: to connect the people who can make inclusive sourcing work at scale and turn conversation into meaningful action.

Info: Why does Europe need its own approach to inclusive sourcing? Explore the specifics of European markets, fragmented national approaches, ownership diversity, the social economy, policy, procurement, and the opportunities this creates.

Info: AI is moving beyond chatbots, enabling SMEs to automate processes, build new capabilities and scale their businesses in ways that were previously out of reach. This session explores how AI is transforming what smaller businesses can achieve and creating new opportunities for innovation, growth and collaboration.

Info: Take a break over a cup of coffee, continue the conversation, and meet new contacts.

Info: Hear directly from LGBTIQ, ethnic-minority, and social-economy businesses about their experiences in the market. From accessing opportunities and navigating barriers to building sustainable growth.

Info: Connect over themed buyer tables with the right people and explore potential opportunities. An easy way to start conversations and discover potential business connections.

Info: How does corporate procurement actually work? Get practical insight into sourcing cycles, categories, frameworks, onboarding, compliance, and, crucially, how suppliers can reach the people making purchasing decisions.

Info: Move from networking to targeted business connections. Prearranged one-on-one meetings connect underrepresented suppliers with buyers for focused conversations around real procurement opportunities.

Info: Practical insight for suppliers ready to grow. Explore what it takes to win business with multinational companies, alongside focused roundtables and ecosystem conversations for deeper discussion and connection.

Info: Discover practical techniques to network with confidence, build genuine relationships, communicate your value, and create meaningful connections that can lead to new opportunities.

Info: Bring the day’s ideas together, identify the themes that matter most, and connect them to the Amsterdam Principles. What have we learned, what needs to change, and what should we take forward together?

Info: Keep the connections going. Join fellow attendees, speakers, buyers, and suppliers for an evening of curated networking, conversation, and a special performance before drinks and informal connections continue.

Surprise Performance: Something to sparkle up the evening!

Info: Start the day with coffee, conversations, and new connections. Meet fellow attendees, plan your day, and explore the agenda for Day 2.

Info: Welcome back for Day 2 of Forward Summit 2026. Building on Day 1’s European vision, today we’ll explore different market perspectives, strengthen connections, and discuss how to translate inclusive sourcing commitments into practical procurement opportunities.

Info: Opening of the day with a short, high-energy presentation designed to stimulate thought, provoke discussion, and inspire new ideas at the beginning of the Summit.

Info: In Europe, inclusive sourcing does not look the same everywhere. Explore different regional and thematic perspectives and what they mean for businesses looking to build more inclusive supply chains.

Info: The session will focus on three things: what Canada has learned in building supplier inclusion, what you would recommend to corporate buyers and suppliers in Europe, and ideas for how Canada and Europe can collaborate.

Info: Take a break over a cup of coffee, continue the conversation, and meet new contacts.

Info:
The Amsterdam Principles: A Shared Framework

Now it’s time to turn the conversation into a shared commitment. Review the Amsterdam Principles shaped by the discussions across the Summit and have your say through a live vote. Together, we’ll define a practical framework for moving inclusive sourcing forward across Europe.

Info: Continue the conversation over lunch themed buyer tables with procurement leaders, suppliers, partners, and peers.

Info: Practical insight for suppliers ready to grow. Explore what it takes to win business with multinational companies, alongside ecosystem conversations for deeper discussion and connection.

Info: Three voices. Three commitments. One shared direction. Buyers, suppliers, and advocacy leaders make commitments to take inclusive sourcing forward after the Summit.

Event venue & nearby stays

World Trade Center (Amsterdam), 1 Strawinskylaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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