The Future of Protein Production integrates Cultured Meat Symposium into global protein platform

Future-Proof Group Media (FPG Media), the London-based organizer of The Future of Protein Production conferences in Amsterdam and Chicago and publisher of Protein Production Technology International, has added the Cultured Meat Symposium (CMS) to its portfolio. The move strengthens the company’s position as a leading convenor for the fast-growing alternative protein sector and expands its reach in North America.

CMS, founded in 2018 in California, is the longest-running conference dedicated to cultivated meat. It has served as a forum for researchers, startups, and policymakers shaping the sector and was the first to host a cultivated meat tasting. In 2019, it partnered with Wildtype to offer three attendees samples of cultivated salmon, a milestone moment for the industry.

By integrating CMS into its platform, FPG Media aims to create a dedicated space for cell-cultivated proteins alongside its existing focus on plant-based and fermentation-derived innovations. The first joint event will take place on 24–25 February 2026 at McCormick Place in Chicago, co-located with The Future of Protein Production Chicago.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Cultured Meat Symposium into the FPG Media family,” said Sebastian Sbuttoni, Co-founder & CEO of FPG Media. “CMS has built a strong reputation as a pioneering event, and by integrating it into our global platform, we can give innovators, investors, and industry stakeholders even more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and accelerate the transition to sustainable protein.”

The move comes as interest in cultivated proteins gathers pace, both from regulators and from global food manufacturers seeking sustainable alternatives. FPG Media already convenes thousands of professionals annually across Europe and the USA, and the addition of CMS further broadens its scope.

“Joining Future-Proof Group Media is a natural next step for CMS,” added Alex Shirazi, Founder & Executive Producer of the Cultured Meat Symposium. “Their global reach, media expertise, and commitment to advancing alternative proteins will ensure the event continues to thrive and grow alongside the industry it serves.”

The integration will give cell-cultivated foods a more prominent platform within The Future of Protein Production ecosystem. “Cell-cultivated foods have always been part of our programming,” said Sbuttoni. “Welcoming CMS into our portfolio allows us to create a dedicated stream while expanding The Future of Protein Production agenda to cover not only plant-based and fermentation-derived proteins, but also other upcoming novel protein sources.”

Sbuttoni added that the company’s focus is also widening to include broader themes in food ingredients, functional health, and system resilience. “We want to ensure the content remains relevant, forward-looking, and commercially valuable,” he said.

The first CMS under FPG Media ownership will be co-located with The Future of Protein Production Chicago in February 2026. By running the events side by side, the company aims to give attendees exposure to a wider spectrum of innovation and create opportunities for cross-networking.

“The co-location in Chicago means attendees benefit from cross-networking opportunities, shared exhibition access, and cost efficiencies that make participation for exhibitors and attendees even more valuable,” said Sbuttoni.

With CMS integrated, the Chicago event will operate under a new tagline: North America’s meeting place for the pioneers reshaping proteins, ingredients, and the future of food.

For FPG Media, the integration represents part of a broader strategy to link events, publishing, and digital content into one ecosystem. “This is about creating synergies,” Sbuttoni said. “From conferences to digital publishing, we’re building a connected ecosystem that supports the industry’s most ambitious innovators.”

With cultivated proteins now firmly part of the company’s portfolio, FPG Media is aiming to further solidify its role as a global hub for knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the full spectrum of next-generation food technologies.