PHOENIX—Virgo Publishing announced the 14th annual SupplySide West, Oct. 19 to 23 at The Venetian & Sands Expo in Las Vegas, will include more than 1,200 booths in the exhibit hall and more than 100 hours of educational opportunities.
“This will be the largest SupplySide West to date," said Peggy Jackson, vice president of the Health & Nutrition Division for Virgo Publishing. “We have a record-size exhibit hall this year and more education than before."
The education program, sponsored by Cognis Nutrition & Health, kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Education advisors from Cadbury, International Dairy Queen & Orange Julius, Hershey’s and many more leading companies assisted in the development of the program.
Highlights include:
- Pamela Peeke, M.D., MPH, FACP, Chief Medical Correspondent for Discovery Health TV, New York Times bestselling author and member of Oprah's O Team of medical experts will be the Featured Speaker on Thursday, Oct. 21.
- GOT MILK? strategist Jeff Manning will dissect the ingredient decision process among food and food service buyers.
- Liz Sloan to discuss shifting attitudes and marketing opportunities across generations from 'Millennials' to 'Matures.'
- The clinical evidence behind ingredients for the prevention and treatment of diabetes will be reviewed by UCLA School of Medicine's Jay Udani, M.D., C.P.I.
- David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, will delve into key trends in consumer preferences for supplements, fortified food and beverages, and specialty formats such as energy shots and beauty drinks.
- Datamonitor's Tom Vierhile will look at global weight loss and management product launches and consumer attitudes.
There are more than 40 sessions in the education program. Additional seminars will cover topics such as new cinnamon research, stevia formulations, functional beverages, sustainability, and more. A complete agenda is available on the show Web site.
In addition, 40 vendor-sponsored seminars, VendorWorks, are open to all attendees and will cover a wide range of innovative ingredients, technologies and services. A full schedule of the VendorWorks sessions is available on the Web site. Research also can be found at the "Science at SupplySide" poster displays, which will remain up throughout the show. Poster presenters will be at their displays to answer questions on Oct. 22 from Noon to 1 pm.
More education is also available in special workshops. The “Superfruits: Science, Innovation and Market Opportunities" workshop and “Palm Fruit Bioactives: Science, Applications & Technical Advantages" workshop, developed and sponsored by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, are both available on Wednesday, Oct. 20. On Saturday, Oct. 23, the “Stevia: Trends, Product Development and Regulatory Update" workshop and the “Probiotics: From Physician to Consumer — Market Trends and Stakeholder Perspectives" workshop, developed with the International Probiotics Association (IPA), are scheduled.
Networking Events
SupplySide West also provides a variety of networking opportunities, beginning with the SupplySide West Golf Classic, sponsored by Pharmachem Laboratories. The popular tournament is returning to The Revere Golf Club on Oct. 20 and includes a $25,000 hole-in-one contest.
The networking continues the evening of Oct. 20 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the Manufacturers Welcome Reception, sponsored by Lesaffre Human Care and Solae. Hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres are included. Additional registration is required. New this year, the Opening Reception, sponsored by DSM Nutritional Products and Vitamin Angels, is moving to Tao Nightclub in The Venetian. The event begins after the exhibit hall closes on Thursday, Oct. 21.
Networking is also starting in advance of the show, as the SupplySide West Social Network, SupplySide Connect—available to all registered participants—allows show attendees to find and network with fellow event attendees, locate exhibitors by ingredients and services offered, set meetings, plan itineraries, link to Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, and join groups.
Finally, the SupplySide Scientific Excellence Awards will be presented in the Virgo Publishing booth at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22. Awards will go to ingredient suppliers and technology providers for new and innovative ingredients, research, applications and technologies.
SupplySide West is a five-day event offering industry the opportunity to learn about the latest innovative and healthy ingredients, meet new vendors and formulators in the 1,200 booth exhibit hall, and source ingredients, packaging, labeling and private-label manufacturing services in one location. More information and registration details can be found on the show Web site or by calling (800) 454-5760.
More than 80 companies are sponsoring events and programs at SupplySide West. In addition to the sponsors outlined above, major sponsors include AIDP Inc., Albion Human Nutrition, Blue California, CBC America Corporation, Danisco USA Inc., E.T. Horn Co., Eurofins Scientific, LycoRed Corp., Morinaga Milk Industry Company Ltd., National Enzyme Company, Naturex, Nutraceutix Inc., Pacific Rainbow International, Unigen Pharmaceuticals and ZMC-USA.
