About the future thinkers program
Breakbulk Future Thinkers is a long-term initiative built to help the project cargo community anticipate change. The program links senior executives, academic experts and government partners to identify the forces reshaping how projects are planned, built and moved worldwide.
The program will be launched to our community at Breakbulk Middle East, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. The event’s rapid growth mirrors the pace of change in the global project landscape.
Future Thinkers operates year-round through Breakbulk Events & Media, sustaining a steady exchange of insight that supports planning, investment and collaboration across all regions.
By becoming a member of the program, you’ll become part of a like-minded, forward-thinking community, focused on future innovation. Members will be the first to receive insights straight from the latest Future Thinkers events and thought pieces.
Meet the future thinkers
FUTURE THINKERS SUMMIT 2025
The inaugural Future Thinkers Summit took place on October 21, 2025 set against the backdrop of the Houston Maritime Center & Museum.
16 global leaders and academically connected experts met to explore different scenarios and asked what emerging trends can tell us about how projects, logistics and transportation will operate 20 years from now. Will our challenges look familiar, or will they be entirely new? This group examined every possibility and imagined alternate futures so the people planning and executing the world’s biggest projects can make smarter, more profitable decisions.
Look out for the first Future Thinkers Whitepaper being released early next year which will delve further into these discussions.
FUTURE THINKERS COMMUNITY LAUNCH
Wednesday, 4 February 17:00 - 17:20 Future Thinkers Community Launch at the Breakbulk Middle East Main Stage 17:50 Networking Reception at the Monkey Bar in 25hrs Hotel Dubai
Join us for the Community Launch of the Future Thinkers Program, to find out more about the work our Future Thinkers are doing and how you can join this initiative. Plus, you’ll hear from some of our Future Thinkers as they discuss key topics of interest that will underpin the next 20 years of the industry.
2026 Schedule of events
4 – 5 February 2026
Breakbulk Middle East – Dubai, UAE
Gala launch of Future Thinkers to the international community.
Future Thinkers meeting to advance several topics based on global conditions.
16 – 18 June 2026
Breakbulk Europe – Rotterdam, Netherlands
Future Thinkers meeting to advance several topics based on global conditions.
In-the-round theatre discussion with audience Q&A, open to event attendees.
22 – 24 September 2026
Breakbulk Americas – Houston, USA
Future Thinkers meeting to advance several topics based on global conditions.
In-the-round theatre discussion with audience Q&A, open to event attendees.
October 2026
2nd Annual Global Summit – Location TBD
Future Thinkers meeting to advance several topics based on global conditions.
Prepare Future Thinkers Update 2027.
18–19 November 2026
Breakbulk Asia – Singapore
Future Thinkers meeting to advance several topics based on global conditions.
In-the-round theatre discussion with audience Q&A, open to event attendees.
JOIN THE FUTURE THINKERS PROGRAM
Become a member of the Future Thinkers program to stay up to date with the latest news and insights from our events. Fill out the form and be sure to include your photo plus a brief note on what challenges you think will be most pressing for the industry in 2045. All members will be the first to receive insight from Future Thinkers events plus the chance to join the discussion.