In this episode of LAB HUB LIVE, Madelyn Edlin and Diona Monroe break down what suppliers need to know about the 2027 Leadership Circle, where things stand now, what has changed and key dates ahead this fall.
Where We Are Now
Engagement 3.0 launched July 22, and the buyer dashboard has been frozen, so buyers are still seeing engagement profile data from the 2.0 Engagement Cycle. That will change on Sept. 15, when the dashboard unfreezes and your buyers can see updated supplier engagement profiles under Engagement 3.0.
- Oct. 1: deadline to qualify for an invitation to the Leadership Circle celebration by earning your four green stars
- Oct. 15: the 2027 Leadership Circle Celebration at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida
Qualification for Leadership Circle itself is rolling, so suppliers can earn their way in anytime during the cycle. However, only suppliers who’ve earned all four green stars by Oct. 1 receive an invitation to the in-person celebration during the Global Show and have the opportunity to be recognized by retail partners.
What's Different This Cycle
Last cycle’s 2026 Leadership Circle required suppliers to earn all five stars in their engagement profile. Suppliers now need the four green perimeter stars: Assessment Channel, Learning Channel, Supply Chain Engagement and Supply Chain Scope. The center Supplier Gold Star is not required this cycle.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.
“The Supplier Gold Star is not required for Leadership Circle recognition during this Engagement Cycle, but it’s critically important to help signal responsible recruitment practices to buyers,” said Monroe.
Earning your four green stars gets you into the Leadership Circle, but the Gold Star is still a clear signal to buying partners that a supplier is engaging in ethical recruitment.