In 2003 the annual event attracted over 3,000 visitors, a figure that the organisers, Virgo Publishing, expect to double this year. A sign that the industry is growing, the show is located in Baltimore this year for the first time in order to cater for the increasing popularity of the event.
Mary Matalin, former assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to vice president Dick Cheney (2001 - 2003) will join her husband, James Carville, political consultant and co-host of CNN's Crossfire, to deliver the keynote address on May 6.
The education program includes Earvin "Magic" Johnson who will discuss his passion for sports, business, the community and his interest in immune health and ways to support healthy lifestyle on May 6. John M. Taylor, the associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the US will provide an update on FDA activities.
A double session will review NIH's methods and reference materials program for dietary supplements and examine the current status of federally-funded efforts to develop analytical methods and reference materials for dietary supplements. <>'The panel will provide an overview of the program, key elements of the FDA/AOAC and NIST contracts for development of analytical methods and standard reference materials, the implementation of these contracts, NCCAM's policy on characterization of raw materials for clinical trials and Single Laboratory Validation (SLV) methods,' said the show organisers.
The 'Athletic banned substance program' is designed to help ingredient and contract manufacturers, finished product manufacturers and athletes learn about the importance of certification. The Official National Football League (NFL)/National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Supplement Certification Program, monitored through NSF International, the first step in a Banned Substance Certification Program, will be discussed.
In light of growing opportunities for the low carb market Steve French, managing partner at the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), will explore consumer attitudes, behavior, product usage patterns and lifestyle factors based on newly conducted research and analysis from NMI's annual Health & Wellness Trends Database.
In 2002, the office of dietary supplements at the National Institutes of Health began work on a major assessment of the health benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids. In a May 5 session, a 'comprehensive assessment' of all the relevant research on omega-3 fatty acids as it relates to cardiovascular disease will be discussed. The speaker will be Joseph Lau, internist and professor of medicine at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy studies the Tufts-New England Medical Center.