SupplySide West Continues Winning Streak

LAS VEGASSupplySide West posted record-breaking growth, despite the travel snafus posed by Hurricane Sandy and a nor'easter that significantly impacted the East Coast. The show experienced an 11-percent increase in attendance over SupplySide West 2012, with nearly 11,000 total industry members in attendance, representing 64 countries. Further, total booths hit 1,462, a 9-percent increase from the previous year's show.

"The double-digit growth of SupplySide West reflects the incredible innovation, enthusiasm and growth within the markets that we serve, from food  and beverage to cosmetic and personal care, and from dietary supplements to animal nutrition and pharma," said Jon Benninger, vice president of VIRGO's Health & Nutrition Network, which produces SupplySide. "SupplySide brings together the entire value chain and empowers people to explore, discover, innovate and market their products and technologies."

Procurement buyers, C-level executives and other professionals from the following companies, and more, were in attendance: Alacer, Arbonne International, Bayer Health Care, Bio-K + International Inc., Bolthouse Farms, Clif Bar, Hansen Beverage Company, Jamieson Laboratories Ltd., Jarrow Formulas, Mars Chocolate USA, Nordic Naturals, Perrigo, Pharmavite, POM Wonderful, Sara Lee, Schiff Nutrition, Schwabe North America, Shaklee Corporation, Swanson Health Products, Twinlab, Wellington Foods, and many others.

Among the show highlights was the Education Program, sponsored by BASF Nutrition & Health, which included more than 45 hours of education in the Natural Products INSIDER track for dietary supplements, the Food Product Design track for food and beverage, and the Cosmetics Insights track for personal care and cosmetics. The most critical information from this Education Program was captured on DVD to extend value from the board room to the supply chain (available for pre-order at supplysidestore.com).

"Each year the Human Nutrition group at BASF looks forward to serving as the exclusive sponsor of the SupplySide West Education Program," said Samy Jandali, vice president, Nutrition & Health, BASF Corp., North America. "This year's outstanding event once again provided valuable opportunities to learn from leaders in their fields and to sharpen our tools so we can work smarter in an increasingly competitive marketplace. These three days of sessions helped foster a dialog very important to BASF. Our industry colleagues shared ideas on how we can meet the 'new-tritional' needs of a growing population with fully traceable ingredients in sustainable and eco-efficient products. And, we applaud VIRGO for a first-class job in bringing together those who shape our marketplace including customers, prospects, industry experts and opinion leaders."

Pre- and post-conference workshops and special events extended the education opportunities. On Monday and Tuesday, NSF-DBA hosted four official GMP training courses at SupplySide West, attracting more than 120 industry members. Tuesday also saw the debut of the SupplySide Marketing Insights Summit, a four-hour conference on how to use marketing strategy, communications and integrated social networks/media to create growth and customer engagement through the supply chain to the end consumer.

Three post-conference workshops showed the staying power of Las Vegas is not just in the networking. More than 150 executives attended the "IPA Probiotic Update: Regulatory Challenges, Scientific Advancements and the Future of the Business", developed with the International Probiotics Association (IPA) and co-sponsored by CHR Hansen A/S, DuPont, Institut Rosell-Lallemand, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Nutraceutix Inc. and Wakunaga of America Co. Ltd. The "Omega-3 Insights and the Consumer: What You Need to Know" workshop, developed with the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) and SupplySide Omega-3 Insights, attracted 100+ execs and was co-sponsored by Aker BioMarine and Neptune Technologies & Bioressources. And a debut post-conference workshop, the "2012 International Aloe Summit: Turning Science into Sales," developed with the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) and co-sponsored by Aloe Vera Jaumave and Florida Food Products, offered 65 attendees a deep-dive, all-day event into the science and opportunities around Aloe vera.

Information also took center stageliterallyin the Expo Hall with the introduction of SupplySide Why..., a new program modeled after the TED talks that featured two days of short, dynamic talks presented by industry thought leaders, innovators and marketers. Speakers including FDA's Dan Fabricant, Ph.D., USADA's Amy Eichner, Ph.D., Howard Schiffer from Vitamin Angels, GNC's Guru Ramanathan, Ph.D., and Tom Tolworthy from Twinlab shared their vision in on-stage talks that also streamed live and were viewed by industry members around the globe. (The SupplySide Why... talks are now available on demand at supplysideshow.com/videos.)

Other highlights included the Opening Reception at Tao Nightclub in the Venetian, which was co-sponsored again by DSM and Vitamin Angels to raise awareness of Vitamin Angels' efforts to end global childhood undernutrition; the Golf Classic, sponsored by Pharmachem Laboratories, which drew 220+ golfers out on Tuesday Nov. 6; and the presentation of the Editors Choice Award winners during a reception sponsored by AIDP, Draco Natural Products and SPRIM.

SupplySide West 2013 will take place Nov. 12 to 16 at The Venetian & Sands Expo, Las Vegas; the exhibit hall will be open Nov. 14 and 15. SupplySide MarketPlace 2013 is scheduled for April 30 to May 2 at the Javits Center in New York City.