SupplySide West®

SupplySide West^® Sets Records Again

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More than 5,400 industry executives from dietarysupplement, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies gathered Sept. 29 toOct. 1 for the 8th Annual SupplySide West International Trade Show andConference at the Sands Exposition Center and Venetian Resort Casino in LasVegas. SupplySide West, which is produced by Virgo Publishing, is theworlds largest executive conference on nutritional ingredients; attendancewas up six percent this year to 5,441 attendees, while the exhibit hall included460 companies occupying more than 670 booths.

Exhibitors overall were pleased with the number and caliber ofattendees. It would be difficult to imagine the show being much better, said Tim Gamble, vice president of sales and marketing withNutraceutix. We were impressed with the quantity of highly interestedindividuals visiting our booth and noted that the majority of conversations wehad were with higher-level decision makers than those we often see at some ofthe other shows.

Attendees also found the show met their business requirements.As usual, SupplySide West was a fantastic opportunity addressing severalneeds, said Shane Durkee, director of nutritional science and new businesswith Bayer HealthCare. The show floor was very busy, but not to the pointwhere conversations were hard to have at each booth. The networkingopportunities were abundant and the receptions were helpful in meeting newingredient suppliers and catching up with ingredient suppliers I was alreadyfamiliar with. In addition, my colleague and I took the divide and conquerapproach to cover as many of the educational seminars as possible, which wereall very helpful and interesting.

SupplySide West started with its 8th Annual Golf Tournament,sponsored by Pharmachem Laboratories. More than 250 golfers participated in theevent, held on the Sun Mountain and Snow Mountain Courses at the Las VegasPaiute Golf Resort. Trophies were awarded for individual achievement and topscores for each course. On the Sun Mountainside, a score of 56 took first place for Pharmachems Dick Beitel, BlakeChristensen with Natures Sunshine, Ned Becker from Nutritional Labs, andExcels Gary Takagi. A 58 won the top award on the Snow Mountain course forRelivs Dave Barnes and Dave Huesgen, Billie Tessendorf from Stauber, andRobert Veghte of Roxlor. This was the best SupplySide West ever, Beitelsaid.

The golf tournament was fantastic with great courseselection and first class food. In addition, the exhibit hall was great. We senta record-breaking number of people this year. Our booth exploded as we couldhave doubled the size and still an overflow would have existed.

An array of networking opportunities helped attendees make newcontacts and strengthen existing business connections. More than 500 executivesfrom around the globe attended the International Welcome Reception, sponsored byKGK Synergize, OptiPure/Soft Gel Technologies and SourceOne Global Partners. ASurvivor theme attracted over 2,500 people to the Opening ReceptionThursday evening; the event was sponsored by ADM, DSM, Natural Health Scienceand PureWorld Botanicals. Finally, the closing Appreciation Party, held in theexhibit hall on Friday afternoon and sponsored by DNP, Fortitech, LeSaffre Groupand NSF, brought industry members a hosted bar, Mexican and Italian noshes and achance to conclude business in a relaxed atmosphere.

For the second year, the Education Program spanned three days,offering scientific research, marketing strategies and regulatory updates.Sponsored by Cognis Nutrition & Health, the seminars featured speakers fromthe Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH),AOAC, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), National Nutritional FoodsAssociation (NNFA), Tufts University, Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) andmore. Once again, this was a fantastic platform for education, said DavidEckert, vice president, North America, Cognis Nutrition & Health. We areproud to be working with Virgo in sponsoring an educational platform thatpromotes scientific research, fosters product innovation and addresses pressingindustry issues.

Several seminars focused on the increasing focus on scientificsubstantiation for nutraceutical ingredients. In-depth examinations of thescience on tocotrienols, French maritime pine bark extract, omega-3 fatty acidsand minerals drew interested product development researchers, while a largecrowd attended the featured speaker presentation by Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., whopulled no punches while discussing The Lancetstake on antioxidants and cancer nor the industrys continued lack of productstandards and mandatory GMPs (good manufacturing practices). Regulatory concernstook center stage during several seminars, including the state-of-the-industryroundtable and a featured speaker presentation by Susan Walker, M.D., from FDAsCenter for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. In particular, Walker noted theagency is focusing on novel extracts of traditional botanicals, which may beconsidered new dietary ingredients under federal regulations.

Another well-attended speech was given by accomplishedactress, singer and writer Marilu Henner. Sponsored by Unigen Pharmaceuticals,Henner used her keynote presentation to discuss her commitment to furtheringwidespread awareness of the importance of good health by enlisting the celebritycommunity to generate support for healthy living and the natural productsindustry. Eight days prior to her Sept. 30 appearance at SupplySide West 2004,the outspoken luminary testified before Congress regarding the importance ofnutrition and dietary supplements.

From the education rooms to the show floor, SupplySide Westdelivered again on its position as the leading executive level show in thenutraceutical industry. SupplySide West continues to set the industrystandard as the premier executive business-to-business event, said PeggyJackson, director of publishing with Virgos Health & Nutrition Division.In an increasingly challenging regulatory and business environment,forward-thinking executives are making connections to support long-term growthin the nutraceutical industry.

SupplySide just keeps getting betterand better. The show, the seminars, meetings and, most importantly, the newingredients make SupplySide a must-attend show. I cant begin to tell you howmany new products we put together from suppliers we meet at SupplySide.

Robin Crossman, president, IdeaSphere/Twinlab

Education Programs Explores Cutting-edge Science, Regulatory Change

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For the second year, SupplySide Wests EducationSessions took place over three days, allowing for presentation of a broaderarray of scientific, marketing and regulatory information. Sponsored again byCognis Nutrition & Health, the seminars were well attended, with greatinterest and interaction between speakers and audiences.

Its always risky to predict a shows success inadvance as I did when I saw the list of impressive speakers participating in theSupplySide West education program, said Dave Eckert, vice president, NorthAmerica, with Cognis Nutrition & Health. Im delighted to say that wedelivered what was promised. This years sessions, including leaders inregulatory affairs, science and marketing all contributed outstandinginformation to help guide industry colleagues in providing quality,research-based products. Cognis is proud to have had the opportunity again tosponsor the education program and thanks everyone who participated in thisimportant event.

Wednesday kicked off with a three-part educational series onthe National Institutes of Healths (NIH) Dietary Supplement Research CentersProgram (DSRCP). The program includes many U.S. universities and focuses on thestudies and education of the quality, efficacy and safety of dietarysupplements. The first session included an overview of the DSRCP, including itsinception, locations of centers and the programs areas of interest. Inaddition, Charles Santerre, Ph.D., an associate professor in foods and nutritionat Purdue University, described the Centers new online, certified, continuingeducation program for dietitians. Mary Hardy, M.D., associate director of theUCLA Botanical Research Center, wrapped up the session with a discussion on anew program designed to aid pharmacists, physicians and educators indistinguishing differences between plants, herbs and botanicals.

The second portion of the NIH seminar included an overview ofthe plant taxonomy and reference collections which will be used as an aid inidentifying plants and diminishing plant material confusion. James Miller,Ph.D., director of the Dietary Methods and Reference Materials Program at theOffice of Dietary Supplements (ODS), acknowledged the library needs to be moreextensive, but noted it will become available online and include images andextensive information on each plant. And in the third session, several DSRCresearchers discussed ongoing research and preliminary findings on suchsupplements as black cohosh (for menopausal symptoms), turmeric (foranti-inflammatory effects) and echinacea (for its immune factors).

Also on Wednesday, the Association of Official AnalyticalChemists (AOAC) presented a session about its Methods Validation Program fordietary supplements. Jim Roza, director of quality assurance at NOW Foods andchairman of the AOAC International Dietary Supplements Task Force Group gave anoverview of the program and the issue of validation criteria. While the programcurrently includes 35 ingredients, the seminar focused on two current case areascranberriesand coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). We need more working groups, said Barry Titlow,founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Compound Solutions Inc. andchairman of the CoQ10 committee. Committee meetings for both groups were heldduring SupplySide, and AOAC announced it is forming groups on polyphenols andomega-3s.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) were the focus of anotherWednesday seminar, in which Bruce Holub, Ph.D., reviewed the relevance ofomega-3 EFAs to human health. Holubs talk focused on three sources ofomega-3salpha-linoleic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) anddocosahexaenoic acid (DHA)and the numerous functions of these nutrients inhuman wellness. He said adequate intake of omega-3s is crucial during pregnancy,lactation and childhood; for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease; and inpreventing freeradical- induced oxidation within various systems of the body.

Another well-known antioxidant, vitamin E, was covered in ascientific session featuring Chandan Sen, Ph.D. Specifically, Sen discussed thepotential of the tocotrienol isomers versus the more commonly studiedtocopherols, and the potential of palm as a rich source of commerciallyavailable tocotrienols. Sen spoke regarding the potential neuroprotectivebenefits of the tocotrienol-rich fraction of palm oil (which he has studied asTocomin®, supplied by Edison, N.J.-based Carotech), including its ability toprotect against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, a precursor to serious maladiesof the brain including cerebral ischemia.

Another seminar reviewing new clinical evidence for awell-studied antioxidant focused on French Maritime pine bark extract. RonaldWatson, Ph.D., demonstrated that pine bark extract (as Pycnogenol®, supplied byGeneva-based Horphag Research) may produce several new cardiac benefits,including lessening stickiness of blood platelets, lowering blood pressure,sealing leaky blood capillaries, improving circulation, lowering low-densitylipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and relaxing constricted blood vessels.Watson also noted French maritime pine bark extract has been proven beneficialin the treatment of asthma due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

More fundamental nutrition was addressed by Alexander Schauss,Ph.D., who delivered a talk on the importance of achieving the proper balance ofsupplemental minerals and trace elements and discussed how these nutrientssustain human health. Research has shown the proper balance of minerals andtrace elements supports brain function and prevents disease. According toSchauss, certain minerals and trace elements protect against toxic elementsincluding environmental pollutants while others are themselves highly toxic.Schauss also mentioned bottled water is an excellent delivery method forminerals and trace elements but most of the bottled waters on the market aredecidedly lacking in these nutrients.

Also speaking to the importance of science on dietarysupplements was Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDAHuman Nutrition Research Center on Aging. Blumberg was one of two featuredspeakers at SupplySide West; his seminar started with an overview of thehistorical view of nutrition research, and segued into a discussion of thepromise and perils of future endeavors. This is an extremely exciting time innutrition science, he told the capacity crowd. Non-essential nutrientsclearly represent an enormous promise to bring nutrition to consumers.

In addition, work with the human genome is creating discussionof nutrigenomics to optimize nutrition for individual health. Blumberg gavethe audience a quick review of the types of scientific research being conductedin the nutrition field, as well as a real-time example of how interpretation ofthe evidence can impact the results. In citing a study issued that day in TheLancet that questioned the value of antioxidants inpreventing gastrointestinal cancerand which led to an editorial comment aboutantioxidants potential to kill consumers, Blumberg noted it is alwaysimportant to present any research in context and convey the evidence fairly tothe audience.

Blumberg also took the industry to task for deficitsbothreal and perceivedin product quality and efficacy. It is unacceptable thatproducts fall short of label claims, he said. If you cant make aproduct that has in it what it says in the amounts stated, you shouldnt bemaking a product. We need defined tolerance, safety and efficacy. The industrymay not like enforcement, but its the only way to ensure safe, effectiveproducts for the consumer.

The importance of regulation was also a hot topic in severaleducation programs. In particular, the view that some ingredients being sold in dietary supplements may, in fact, be new dietaryingredients was the focus of a featured presentation by Susan Walker, M.D.,director of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs at the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA). Walker explained that ingredients, particularly herbs,that are produced using new processes are viewed as new dietary ingredients bythe agency. This classification means companies must notify FDA of intent tomarket the ingredient 75 days prior to marketing, and include evidencesupporting a reasonable expectation of safety for the ingredient. Productscontaining a new dietary ingredient that has not submitted to this premarketapproval are deemed adulterated under the law.

More general information, including the latest legislationfrom Capitol Hill, attacks on the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act(DSHEA), media portrayal and other issues faced by the natural products industrywere discussed in a two-part State of the Industry presentation, comprised ofmoderator Marc Ullman, partner in Ullman, Shapiro & Ullman; MichaelMcGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); DavidSeckman, executive director and CEO of the National Nutritional FoodsAssociation (NNFA); and Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., president of the Council forResponsible Nutrition (CRN). Ullman questioned why the media seems to betargeting the industry. Seckman discussed the latest crop of regulatory billsproposed in Congress and the newest attacks on DSHEA, including an update on theinfamous Durbin Crusade launched by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.). Ifcurrent legislation passes, businesses could lose half of their value,innovation could be limited, and retailers and consumers could face higherprices, Seckman concluded. Dickinson gave a short 30-year history and analysisof the industry. According to Dickinson, statistics indicate Americans use ofsupplements and alternative medicine has increased dramatically over the years,and will translate into reduced incidence of disease and lowered health carecosts over time. Dickinson also commented that dietary supplements are affordedlittle respect from regulatory bodies like FDA and the Federal Trade Commission(FTC) and touched upon FDA efforts to restrict supplements. The panel alsoaddressed nutrition labeling and health claims, quality standards and concerns,and adverse event reporting.

Beyond the science and regulatory update, attendees had achance to learn more about the business end of the industry and gain hands-onknowledge to apply back at the office. In the Natural Marketing Institutes(NMI) seminar, Steve French covered the influence of 10 consumer trends such asweight loss, sugar usage, personal care and nutritional care trends. Accordingto NMIs primary consumer research, health and nutrition issues are asimportant to consumers as macro-external issues involving the globe. NMIsfindings also show sales of fortified and functional foods have steadilyincreased since 2000, and that chewing gum, chewables and dissolving strips arecurrently the most preferred forms of supplements.

In a return appearance, attorney John Patrick Dolan, author ofNegotiate Like the Pros,shared his insight on how to strategize negotiations in everyday businessdealings. Dolan shared tips on fitting strategies to your opponent, breakingdeadlocks and how to use better communication skills. And in a new seminar toSupplySide, Brian Williams, director of marketing with the NNC Group, updatedattendees about the increasing number of recalls in the nutritional industry andadvised companies to understand the steps necessary in case a recall isnecessary. Williams suggested companies develop a recall plan and incorporate amock recall once per year to test the systems and personnel involved.

Industry-specific business issues were discussed at theExecutive Perspective panel, which offered attendees insight from three industryleaders. Topics included building collaboration and value through the entiresupply chain, the importance of science, and opportunities presented by certainmarkets. Robin Crossman, president of Ideasphere/Twinlab, described the untappedmarket potential of generation X and generation Y, which combined provide morepotential consumers than the baby boomers.

Market potential overseas was the focus of a panel examiningopportunities and challenges presented by China. Panelists discussed issues suchas quality, regulations, contracts and business trends. A signed contract inChina is basically a work in progress, it is not a final document, said DavidTurner, CEO and chairman of Zuellig Group North American and BI Nutraceuticals.Because of this, many contracts are not really complied with and many failover time. I think both parties in many joint venture contracts in China dontreally understand where they ultimately want to go with that operation orinvestment.

Formulators and marketers dont have to look overseas fornew markets, as evidenced by several additional seminars at SupplySide. Theemerging acceptance of natural products and services by health benefitsproviders and employers was discussed by Samuel D.

Benjamin, M.D., corporate medical director of integrativehealth strategies with Humana. According to Benjamin, benefits will in thefuture be determined less by health care providers and insurers and more bypatients and families. In addition, natural treatments will be evaluated usingthe same criteria as conventional medical treatments (i.e., by safety, efficacyand cost effectiveness), Benjamin said. A theme continually stressed by Benjaminin his talk was that insurance companies cannot endorse products withoutclinical data.

Basing product development in efficacy is also important inthe fastgrowing market of anti-aging therapies. Ronald Klatz, M.D.,founder of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), discussed A4Msgoal to expand the scientific basis of preventive medicine. We expect thatthe life expectancy could continue to increase with no end in sight,

he said. But this is dependent upon our ability to preventand cure ailments like coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. There is valueto the American economy of eliminating death from disease. And while Klatzfocused almost exclusively on the inside-out of anti-aging, a panel oncosmeceuticals explored both internal and external remedies for aging. Includedin the talk were the importance of solid research, the role of skin care (andsunblock) and the use of essential oils. Mindy Green, clinical aromatherapistwith Aveda, ran through several essential oils that have anti-aging propertiesand noted that it is critical to seek high-quality ingredients.

Henner Stands Up for Natural Health at Keynote

Incontrast to previous SupplySide keynote speakers, the individual filling thatrole for SupplySide West 2004 came not from politically charged Capitol Hill orfrom the multimillion-dollar sports arena, but from glamorous Hollywood.Seasoned actress, singer and writer Marilu Henner used her keynote platform toencourage industry executives to commit to furthering widespread awareness ofthe importance of good health throughout life. Henner promised to join theindustry in accomplishing this monumental goal by enlisting the celebritycommunity to publicize the importance of healthy living and generate support forthe natural products industry.

Henners commitment to good health is well-known. She hasauthored numerous books on health and wellness and offers online classes aboutwell-being including one known as the Total Health Makeover^®. Only eight days prior to her SupplySide appearance, Hennertestified before Congress regarding the importance of nutrition and dietarysupplements.

The keynote presentation, held Sept. 30 and sponsored byUnigen Pharmaceuticals, drew an appreciative crowd prior to the opening of theexhibit hall. During her energetic talk, Henner shared anecdotes from her uniqueupbringing in the Logan Square area of Chicago and explained how her backgroundhelped her in part to find the inspiration she needed to become healthier. Thepetite, red-haired, actress said she achieved greater personal wellness byreading labels and giving up smoking, caffeine, sugar, meat and unhealthy fats.In her quest for better health, Henner said she also learned how to combinefoods, exercise more, reduce stress, get adequate sleep and to approach lifewith an attitude she describes as having gusto. Gusto is all about attitude and well-being, shesaid. Its the connection between how you think and how youfeel.

Henner stressed the importance of taking dietary supplements,calling herself a supplement slut. She called for a revamping of dietaryguidelines and opined that labels should warn of preservatives, steroids,hormones and other potentially harmful additives. Henner also recommended thatthose in the natural products business examine the industry to determine whatcan be done to advance it. What can we do in this industry to move itforward, she asked Every one of us needs to first look inside and askourselves, Am I walking my talk? Am I eating well? You cant just eatwell and not takesupplements. On the other hand, you cant eat poorly and just takesupplements.

Beyond just walking the walk, she encouraged industry membersto make their voices heard. We need to join together and make sure that ourmessage is heard, she said. We need to stand up for ourselves and makesure our message is heardwe can help people with our products. We can alsohelp people by living a lifestyle of enlightenment in terms of diet andexercise. Its not just some magic pill that people can take and theneverythings going to be better.

Henner concluded industry members must be relentless ingarnering support for the industry. We have to get out there and inspirepeople and bring people together, she said. Its so important thatpeople know there is an alternative to going to the doctor and saying, fixme. Good health is not just a privilegeits a right.

We have to get out there and inspirepeople and bring people together. Its so important that people know there isan alternative to going to the doctor and saying, fix me. Good health isnot just a privilegeits a right.

Marilu Henner, actress, singer, writer

Golfers Take Aim on New Greens

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This years 8th Annual SupplySide West Golf Classic,sponsored by Pharmachem Laboratories, saw more than 250 golfers playing on theSun Mountain and Snow Mountain courses at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, thefirst time the tournament has been played at this resort. This is a fantastictournament the best in the industry, said Dick Beitel, Pharmachems vicepresident of sales. The tournament had great course selection and first classfood. We look forward to this event every year, as it is one of the best for ourcompany and customers.

Over a luncheon at the clubhouse that featured hamburgers,chicken, salads and dessert, Beitel helped draw for raffle prizes that includedPing drivers, golf shoes, Paiute course shirts and a putter. Dave Anderson,purchasing director with Natures Way, noted during lunch that the beautifulcourse and business opportunities at the tournament were a draw. The greatnetworking was one of the main reasons I golfed, he said.

Following the raffle, awards were given individually for eachcourse. In third place on the Sun Mountain course, with a score of 61, wereAaron Blunk, Edward Fredericks, Troy Linton and Greg St. Clair, all from ArizonaNutritional Supplements. In second place, with a score of 59, were Bill VanDyke, B&D Nutritional Ingredients; Paul Schirmer, Geneva Health; SueLampley, VitaTech;

and Randy Weaver, Natural Alternatives. And, in first place,with a score of 56, were Ned Becker, Nutritional Labs; Blake Christensen, NaturesSunshine; Gary Takagi, Excel; and Pharmachems Beitel.

Also on the Sun Mountain course, honors went to Amy Cone,Kemin Foods, for Ladies Closest to the Pin, and to Craig Larsen, AmeriFitNutrition, for Mens Closest to the Pin. Jeri Harms, Sumitomo Chemical, won Ladies Longest Drive, while Christensen from NaturesSunshine took home the trophy for the Mens Longest Drive.

In third place on the Snow Mountain Course, with a score of60, were David Khang, Platinum Naturals; Lloyd Scott, Trout Lake Farm; Rob Shaw,Healtheries of New Zealand; and Terry Temp, SCOLR Pharma. In second place, witha score of 59, were Suk Cho, Melaleuca; Jeff Henderson, Pharmanex; and ReganMiles and David Menlove, Unigen Pharmaceuticals. In first place, with a score of58, were Billie Tessendorf, Stauber Performance Ingredients; Dave Barnes andDave Heusgen, Reliv International; and Robert Veghte, Roxlor.

As for individual prizes on the Snow Mountain course, DwightGorham, Accucaps Industries, had the Mens Longest Drive, while StaubersTessendorf shot the Ladies Longest Drive. Theresa Callegari, Leiner Health,won Ladies Closest to the Pin, while Peter Huai, Pharmore Ingredients, wonthe Mens Closest to the Pin.

Kemin Sponsors Danielle Lin Show

Kemin Foods and FloraGLO® Lutein sponsored the Danielle LinRadio Show live from SupplySide West. Guests included executives and scientificpersonnel from Nutraceutical Corp., Natures Life, Magno Humphries, SourceNaturals, Reliance Private Label Supplements, Natrol, ScienceBased Health andLifeTime Vitamins. Elliott Balbert, president of Natrol and the DietarySupplement Education Alliance (DSEA), also spoke about the importance of helpingconsumers discover the education behind dietary supplement products. Linsshow is broadcast in 30 states and provinces over 38 North American broadcaststations.

Business, Pleasure Mixed with Plenty of Food, Fun and Drink

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This years SupplySide West International TradeShow and Conference attendees were able to unwind, eat great food and partake infree-flowing beverages at several receptions wrapping up each day of thethree-day show with additional networking opportunities.

The International Reception, sponsored by KGK Synergize,SourceOne, OptiPure and Soft Gel Technologies Inc. (SGTI), was a great way toend the first day of educational seminars. The reception was the perfectopportunity to begin forming business partnerships and strengthening oldfriendships with executives from around the globe.

The SupplySide West trade showand the internationalreception specificallyprovided an excellent opportunity for SGTI to meet withkey customers, vendors and potential new clients, said Kenn Israel, director of marketing at Soft GelTechnologies Inc.

The well-attended reception was an excellent opportunityfor us at SGTI to say Thank you for our best year ever and We lookforward to growing with you in the future.

Reception goers floated around the room relaxing, visiting andenjoying the island of delicious pastas and sauces. Later, keynote speakerMarilu Henner brightened the room as she mixed among the natural productsindustrys finest.

Using a Survivor theme, the fun-filled, light-heartedenvironment of the opening receptionsponsored by ADM, PureWorld Botanicals,DSM and Natural Health Science (NHS), provided a vast array of delicious foods,several bars and a band that supplied endless entertainment.

Smiles spanned the vast ballroom as attendees were offered aresting spot to rest their tired soles from the long day on the showroomfloor, as others mingled and further strengthened blossoming businesspartnerships.

As always, SupplySide West was a superb opportunity torenew connections and do business with high-level executives, said VictorFerrari, executive vice president of Horphag Research, suppliers of Pycnogenolthrough NHS. The Opening Reception gave us the chance to network with currentand new customers, and the show overall was entirely successful.

On the third and final day, the showroom floor was brightenedby spans of food tables and full-service bars on each side of the floor. TheAttendee Appreciation Party was sponsored by NSF, Fortitech, DNP and LesaffreGroup. The Mexican, Italian and All-American food choices were a perfect end toa perfectly valuable three days of business, networking and displays. Wethought the show was fantastic, said Tara Thomas, marketing coordinator withFortitech Inc. SupplySide West brought the most prominent companies in thefunctional and healthy ingredient industry together. Focused on the importanceof overall wellness and nutritional convenience, the show offered endlessnetworking opportunities bringing a variety of suppliers and manufacturers toour booth.

SupplySide West continues to grow and to display versatilityof suppliers on the show floor. We were proud to sponsor the appreciation partyand felt that the sponsorship combined with the show presented a greatopportunity for us to promote our new facility.