SupplySide West a Huge Success

LAS VEGAS--More than 2,500 executives gathered for the SupplySide West '99 trade show and conference Nov. 11 to 13, an increase of more than 1,000 people from the 1998 show. Both exhibitors and attendees expressed great satisfaction with the event. The SupplySide West '99 exhibit hall featured more than 350 booths, which was greater than double the number of booths from the previous year.

The SupplySide West educational program was highlighted by a keynote address presented by Congressman Dan Burton (R-Ind.), the Chairman of the Government Reform Committee at the U.S. House of Representatives. Burton has held a series of hearings to investigate the federal government's treatment of dietary supplements and complementary/alternative medicine. The entire SupplySide educational program included more than 30 seminars and panels in five tracks.

SupplySide West has also developed a reputation as an event full of great entertainment and networking opportunities, and this year's show continued that tradition. The fun began with more than 140 executives participating in the 3rd Annual SupplySide Golf Classic sponsored by M.W. International. More than 1,000 participants gathered Friday evening for a Mardi Gras-themed reception sponsored by Capsugel and DMV International Nutritionals, and the show closed with a poolside Attendee Appreciation Party complete with live Caribbean music and jumbo shrimp.

"People were very happy with the turnout, the sales, the networking and the fun," said Jon Benninger, group publisher for Virgo Publishing, the producer of the event. "Even with the hard work we dedicate to this event, we know it's the support of the industry that makes it work. People have really embraced SupplySide and made it their show."

The next show, SupplySide East 2000, is set for May 8 to 10 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The show moves to the Northeast to make it convenient for the large number of manufacturers and suppliers based in this region. As of Nov. 16, more than 50 percent of the exhibit space for the East Coast event had been reserved. SupplySide West 2000 is Oct. 22 to 24 at the Sands Convention Center and the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

For more information about participating as an exhibitor or a sponsor, contact Todd Willis at (480) 990-1101, ext. 1171. The SupplySide trade shows are produced exclusively by Phoenix-based Virgo Publishing.