DSEA Launch Highlight of NNFA Show

DSEA Launch Highlight of NNFA Show

LAS VEGAS--A rally for the new Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA) highlighted the National Nutritional Foods Association's (NNFA) MarketPlace convention, held here June 7 to 9. More than $400,000 has already been raised to support DSEA's goals, which include press conferences, consumer surveys, media relations and video news releases.

"Anybody that derives a revenue or source of income from the sales of dietary supplements has a vested interest in the successful outcome of the public relations initiative that we are embarking on," said Elliott Balbert, DSEA acting chairman and the president of Natrol.

Following statements from members of the DSEA Steering Committee and public relations firm Hill & Knowlton, audience members were encouraged to join the alliance and offer financial support. Sid Tracy of Traco Labs/Degussa pledged $50,000 to support the campaign. Mel Powers of Now Foods and Bob White of Nature's Products each pledged $10,000 to the campaign. Many individuals and companies pledged additional funds as well as time and resources in support of the alliance.

Other events at NNFA were not as well attended, a function of lower overall show attendance. According to NNFA, total attendance was 6,135, a 35-percent drop from 2000. However, retail attendance was 2,961, which the association noted was its second highest number of retailers in attendance ever. The largest drop-off in attendance was on the exhibitor side. There were 608 booths, representing 334 companies, but many exhibitors brought fewer personnel and many large companies were not in attendance.

David Seckman, NNFA executive director, noted that the association was pleased by the retailer numbers, but is taking steps to change and improve the show. "Trade show attendance is down in most industries this year," he noted. "But for as many retailers to show up this year indicates they want to figure out how to stay in business."

NNFA has already taken several steps to address concerns with the show. For example, it launched a membership campaign in which non-members who join NNFA can select a participating NNFA member supplier to reimburse them in products equal in value to their membership dues. Participating suppliers include Country Life, J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Jarrow Formulas, Michael's Naturopathic, Natrol, Natural Balance, Natural Factors, Nature's Life, Nutraceutical, Symbiotics and Twin Laboratories. Also, the Board of Directors voted to no longer require that the show be in Las Vegas at the Hilton; while it is contracted to be there next year, subsequent years are up for discussion.

New leadership was also installed at NNFA's annual meeting. Mark Stowe was installed as NNFA president, and Pat Toomey will serve for a year as past-president. Stowe will be forming a task force to look at both short- and long-term components of the convention and how to improve it. Five Supply Council seats on the Board of Directors were filled. Re-elected to the board were Steve Brown, Anabolic Laboratories, and Robert Kay, Leiner Health Products. Newly elected members are Anthony DeLio, Archer Daniels Midland; Gary Hume, Action Labs; and Scott Presnall, Advantage Sales & Marketing.