Magic Johnson Set As SupplySide West Keynoter

Magic Johnson Set As SupplySide West Keynoter

LAS VEGASVirgo Publishing announced basketball legend Earvin MagicJohnson will deliver the keynote address at SupplySide West, Oct. 2, at theVenetian Hotel. The keynote address is sponsored by Unigen Pharmaceuticals Inc.(www.unigenpharma.com), a leadingresearch and development company that specializes in identifying and producingunique phytotherapeutic compounds for the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical andpharmaceutical industries.

During his playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson won three MostValuable Player awards and five NBA championships and, with him as a teammate,the Lakers made nine appearances in the NBA finals. Johnson was also an originalmember of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. As the current vice president andco-owner of the Lakers, Johnson is still very much a part of the team; its2001-2002 championship season garnered Johnson his eighth championship ring.

Unigen is thrilled to sponsor Magics keynote at SupplySide West,said Derek Hall, president of Unigen Pharmaceuticals. Magic represents thepinnacle of his sport, and his commitment to the health and wellness of hiscommunity is a great example for our industry to follow.

Off the court, Johnson lends his time to support many worthy causes throughthe nonprofit Magic Johnson Foundation, which awards grants to other nonprofitorganizations that address health, educational and social needs of thoseresiding in the inner city. Programs funded by the foundation include theNational Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative, the Taylor Michaels ScholarshipFund (which has sent more than 3,000 students to nationally accredited collegesand universities) and the BREATHE (BRinging Education on Asthma To HomesEverywhere) program.

Johnson is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace, speaking to kids aboutdrugs, violence and other social issues. As a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)vice president and event chair for the annual Magic Johnson Sports Star AwardDinner and Auction, Johnson has helped MDA raise more than $1.5 million.

The keynote address is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 2, and the SupplySide Westexhibit hall will open at 11 a.m. Johnson will meet attendees and signautographs at the Unigen Pharmaceuticals booth (#1716) from 11 a.m. to noon.

SupplySide West will take place Oct. 1 to 3, 2003, at the Venetian Hotel andthe Sands Exposition Center in Las Vegas. Information is available at www.supplysideshow.comor by calling Virgo Publishing at (480) 990-1101. SupplySide West, the worldslargest trade show and conference for manufacturers, marketers and suppliers ofhealthy and natural products, is produced by Phoenix-based Virgo PublishingInc., publisher of Natural Products Industry INSIDER and HSR: HealthSupplement Retailer.