SupplySide Asia on Pace to Sell Out

SupplySide Asia on Pace to Sell Out

PHOENIX--Exhibit space at the first SupplySide Asia Trade Show and Conference is 70 percent sold, according to co-producers Virgo Publishing and International Nutraceutical Network Inc. (INNI). SupplySide Asia will be held Sept. 4 to 6 at the Pacifico Convention Center in Yokohama, Japan. "Everything points to a great inaugural show," said Jon Benninger, group publisher at Virgo Publishing. "We are working very hard to deliver the quality and opportunity that people expect from SupplySide events."

Regulatory liberalization, excellent consumer demographics and projected market growth are among the factors that influenced Virgo's decision to hold its first overseas SupplySide event in Japan. (For more on the Japanese market fornutraceuticals, click here.) SupplySide Asia follows the model that has made SupplySide East and SupplySide West the world's largest shows for executives in the natural and nutritional products industries. The biggest difference, according to the show producers, is the additional focus on aiding effective communications.

The SupplySide Asia strategy includes simultaneous translation of all seminars, dual-language show guides and materials, on-site interpreters, pre-event assistance with translation, and advance meeting arrangements. These support services will ensure that buyers and sellers meet and communicate effectively, according to the show producers.

"Simply putting everyone in a room and hoping for good results is not the plan," Benninger said. "We are devoting great resources to ensure that participants find the opportunities that Japan and Asia offer."

Virgo Publishing and INNI are cooperating with many organizations to produce SupplySide Asia. The event is being co-organized by Tokyo-based Kenko Sangyo Ryutsu Shimbun Co., publisher of Health Industry Distribution News, a biweekly trade publication in Japan. It will also be promoted through trade magazines in North America, Europe and Asia, including Virgo's newest executive-level publication, Natural Products Industry INSIDER Japan. Endorsements have also been received from the American Botanical Council (ABC), American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA).

"NNFA is pleased to be partnering with Virgo Publishing for the upcoming SupplySide Asia Trade Show," said David Seckman, NNFA executive director. "Japan represents the single largest market for natural products in all of Asia, and it is NNFA's belief that our supplier members, whether producers of raw materials or finished product, will benefit greatly by introducing their products into this dynamic market."

Michael McGuffin, AHPA president, agreed with the market assessment. "This is a good opportunity for the herbal products industry to meet in the growing Asian market during an important point in its development," McGuffin said. "AHPA and its members will benefit by participating."

In addition to the exhibit hall, SupplySide Asia offers an international seminar program with sessions focused on marketing and distribution, science and research, and legal and regulatory issues. All seminars will be available in Japanese and English.

Confirmed speakers as of April 22 include Seckman; McGuffin; ABC Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Silverman, Ph.D.; Alexander Schauss, director of natural and medicinal products research at the American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research; Steven French, managing partner at the Natural Marketing Institute; and Jeff Hilton, president of Integrated Marketing Group. Additional speakers will be announced as confirmations are secured.

In keeping with the U.S. SupplySide events, SupplySide Asia will include networking events designed to support the social aspect of international business. "Communication, trust and understanding are critical to successful international trade," Benninger said. "SupplySide Asia will provide the important social opportunities that support business development."

For additional information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Todd Willis at (480) 990-1101, ext. 1171, or[email protected]. For information about attending, contact Stacy Davis at (480) 990-1101, ext. 1718, or[email protected]. Additional details, including the exhibit hall floor plan and costs, are available atwww.supplysideshow.com/asia.