Council for Responsible Nutrition events offer learning and connections in Salt Lake City

Jon Benninger

September 16, 2024

3 Min Read

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a SupplySide strategic partner, will host dietary supplement industry leaders Oct. 9-11 in Salt Lake City, Utah, for its WellComms, Science in Session, and Convergence events. Both members and non-members of CRN can attend. 

The events begin Oct. 9 with the concurrent WellComms and Science in Session programs running from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

WellComms is designed for dietary supplement marketing and communications professionals and will cover the latest strategies, trends and best practices for brand promotion and consumer engagement. Sessions include: 

  • “How to last in the Amazon game – how brands are navigating Amazon’s latest compliance requirements” with Brian Yam, chief consultant at Blue Ocean Regulatory. 

  • “Navigating the maze of Google for nutraceutical companies” with Jane Phelps, CEO at Know Agency. 

  • “Decoding disparities: Insights to engage diverse health & wellness consumers” with Sonja Evans, vice president of business intelligence and strategy at Blye Chip. 

  • “How people really buy supplements: A look inside the buyer’s mind” with Bobby Hewitt, consultant at Creative Thirst. 

  • “Your brand and the post-pandemic supplement consumer” with Yadim Medore, founder and CEO of Pure Branding. 

  • “Connecting with the evolved VMS consumer: Informed, proactive and prioritizing Wellness” with Tommaso Visentini, divisional vice president for analytics, insights and brand activation at Pharmavite. 

Science in Session focuses on emerging research with notable scientists covering healthy aging, cognitive function, bone health, inflammation and obesity. Sessions include: 

  • “Hallmarks of aging: Novel opportunities for nutritional targets” with Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, professor, Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida. 

  • “Connecting nutrient biomarkers, cognitive function and brain health” with Aron Barbey, professor, Department of Psychology; director, Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. 

  • “Effects of bioactives on molecular pathways in inflammation: Implications for obesity and liver health” with Ji-Young Lee, department head and professor, University of Connecticut. 

  • “Probiotic modulation of gut microbiota and bone health” with Laura R. McCabe, MSU Foundation Professor, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University. 

  • “Bioactives for estrogen-deficient skin in menopause” with Edwin Lephart, professor emeritus, Brigham Young University. 

  • ‘The anti-aging power of bioactives – A clinician’s perspective” with Cheryl Burdette, director of education, Progressive Medical Center 

The Convergence conference on Oct. 10-11 features updates from CRN leadership and presentations from both industry leaders and non-industry experts. Sessions include: 

  • “Keynote address: FDA’s oversight” with Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

  • “Keynote address: The future of AI in your industry” with Noelle Russell, founder and chief AI officer, AI Leadership Institute. 

  • “Keynote address: Navigating the news cycle – making sense of the headlines” with Chris Cillizza, political analyst and former CNN politics reporter. 

  • “Dietary supplements: What’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it” with Cara Welch, director, Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

  • “President’s address” with Steve Mister, president and CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition. 

  • “Chairman’s address” with Tara Martin, senior vice president, Nutrawise Health & Beauty. 

  • “The view from the corner office” with Gale Bensussen, CEO, Doctor’s Best. 

An updated list of who is attending is available here, and registration packages and rates are available here. 

Event sponsors include Amway, Pharmavite, Vitaquest, Nutrawise, Bayer Healthcare, Kyowa, Nestle Health Sciences, Unilever Health & Wellbeing, Alkemist Labs, Gemini Pharmaceuticals, SupplySide/Informa, K. Patel Phyto Extractions, Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance, Balchem, Church & Dwight, OmniAcitve, Plexus Worldwide, Nutraceuticals World, Nutritional Outlook and Whole Food Magazine. 

About the Author

Jon Benninger

Informa

Jon Benninger is vice president and market leader at Informa Markets. He focuses on the strategic direction and growth of the SupplySide portfolio, which includes SupplySide West, SupplySide East, Natural Products Insider and Food & Beverage Insider. He coordinates with leaders of the other Informa health and nutrition events and brands, including Natural Products Expo West, Vitafoods, Food ingredients, Nutrition Capital Network, Nutrition Business Journal and MarketReady Insights.

Benninger joined the company in 1995 as the founding editor of the company’s first trade magazine for the nutrition industry. In his free time, Jon loves to cook for family and friends; if you are ever in Phoenix and want to enjoy a meal, all you must do is choose a country, region, or city, and Jon will cook it for you.

Jon Benninger

VP & Market Leader – SupplySide

Summary

  • Helped launch the SupplySide business in 1995.

  • Active in industry associations and initiatives and leads strategic partnerships for SupplySide.

  • Cares deeply about supply chain, quality, and innovation issues that drive industry growth and success.

Awards

  • ABC Mark Blumenthal Community Builder Award, 2018

  • Vitamin Angels Grateful Acknowledgement for Supporting Global Children’s Health, 2018

  • AHPA Visionary Award, 2014

  • NPA Industry Champion Award, 2014

  • CRN Crystal Apple Award for Industry Leadership, 2010

Current Volunteer Positions

  • Board Chair and Board Trustee, Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine)

  • Founder and Board Representative, Nutrition Advisory Council, Sonoran University of Health Sciences

  • Director’s Circle, American Botanical Council (ABC)

  • Communications Committee, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)

  • Communications & Media Outreach Committee, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)

  • Company Council, International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA)

  • Mentor, Women In Nutraceuticals

Past Volunteer Positions

  • President, Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, 2006 – 2008

  • Board of Directors, Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, 2001 – 2006

  • Board of Directors, Citizens for Health, 1999 – 2001

Speaker Credentials

  • "Trends in the US Market for Healthy and Functional Foods and Ingredients, Hi-Japan, Tokyo, 2019

  • “Trends Overview for Japanese Delegation to Natural Products Expo West” Anaheim, CA, 2019

  • “China: Impossible to Ignore” UNPA Member Retreat, Charleston SC, 2019

  • “Trends Overview for Japanese Delegation to Natural Products Expo West” Anaheim, CA, 2018

  • “Nutrition Industry Overview” US-China Business Exchange Dinner, Anaheim CA, 2018

  • “Industry Outlook: Market & Key Factors” National Enzyme Annual Meeting, Branson, MO, 2017

  • “State of the Human Dietary Supplement Industry” NASC Annual Conference, Austin, TX, 2016

  • “Consumer Concerns of Safety & Efficacy in Supplements” UNPA Member Retreat, Hawaii, 2016

  • “Nutrition, Health and Wellness Trends” Cactus IFT Meeting, Phoenix AZ, 2013

  • “Key Industry Events & Media in the US Market” World Ayurveda Congress, Bangalore, India, 2010

  • “Trends in the Dietary Supplement Industry” Pacific Technology Exchange, Los Angeles, 2010

  • “Succeeding in the US Market for Healthy Products” 4th Nutraceutical Summit, Mumbai, India, 2008

  • “Selling to the US Health Food Industry” Keynote Address, ANIPRON, Mexico City, 2007

  • 1997 – present: moderator/host at SupplySide events

  • 1997 – present: Frequent host/moderator of industry conference sessions, panel discussions & town halls

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University, B.A Journalism, 1991

Contact

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