Top picks from SupplySide West’s Education program for 2018
We haven't reviewed every single workshop being hosted during SSW, because there are plenty to choose from, depending on your areas of interest. Here’s a pick of what’s on our radar:
Personalized Nutrition
Brands and legal experts will share insights on how to leverage technology and big data to provide actionable insight and effective solutions. Some of the key topics to be explored include:
The challenges and legal considerations of acquiring and utilizing data such as data sharing and privacy;
Role of artificial intelligence, machine learning and other technologies to drive solutions; and
The current market landscape and innovation.
This workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 7 from 9am-12pm
Healthy aging
That same morning, a panel of industry veterans will explore how natural products are helping people age healthfully. Talking points include how to use key demographic data for product/brand development, the potential benefits in health aging for collagen, K2 and curcumin, and how to effectively market to healthy aging consumers
Wednesday, November 7 from 9am-12pm
Sports Nutrition 2020
Later that same day is a workshop with an extensive panel of experts who will explore the market opportunities of a changing market, and some of the regulatory and legal challenges this is posing. The session will also survey the retail landscape, and the effect of online retailers such as Amazon in particular.
Wednesday, November 7 from 1:30-4:30pm
CBD
Of course it’s on the agenda… running concurrently with sports nutrition 2020, lawyers and brand executives will explore how to move the CBD and hemp extracts sector forward. The experts will explore the financial/ capital side of the sector, the evolution of product formulations, the implications of a lawsuit against DEA over its marijuana extract rule, and regulatory considerations including the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, GW Pharma, state initiatives and DSHEA
Wednesday, November 7 from 1:30-4:30pm
Blockchain
Also on Wednesday afternoon (teams are going to be spread thinly…) is a three-hour workshop on how Blockchain and similar technology is transforming the natural products supply chain. Topics to be addressed are how safety, quality and traceability issues are altering expectations in the supply chain, how blockchain can help address such concerns, and how companies are using innovative technologies to improve the quality and safety of their products.
Wednesday, November 7 from 1:30-4:30pm
Exercise recovery
Moving to Thursday, November 8th, and leading academics will explore the nutritional strategies for exercise recovery. This two-hour workshop will delve into the science of protein, amino acids, creatine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients to help with the various aspects of recovery.
Thursday, November 8 from 2-4pm
Social media marketing
Experts from brands, marketing agencies, and law firms will explore how brands can effectively and legally use social media to market their products. The opportunities are vast, but so are the challenges, including ensuring adherence to FTC regulations. This session will also look at the influencer community, and how to allocate and partner with influencers
Thursday, November 8 from 2-4pm
Prebiotics
Moving to Friday and prebiotics take the spotlight (without probiotics) in a two-hour workshop that will explore how different prebiotics modulate the microbiome to benefit health. The sessions also promise to provide insights into the category’s growth potential and the areas of opportunity, and the regulatory considerations surrounding prebiotic fiber that impact labeling and claims.
Friday, November 9 from 2-4pm
Probiotics
From pre- to pro-, the friendly bugs get their own workshop on Saturday, November 10. The three-hour workshop will tackle product development, including strain development from isolation to bench test, and then translating that into usable science with IP protection. The expert panel will also discuss the unique issues facing the probiotics supplement market, and having preventive controls in place.
Saturday, November 10 from 8:30-11:30am
Neurosports
We’ve covered this quite a few times, so it’s good to see a workshop dedicated to the brain and central nervous system and their impact on focus, attention, memory, fatigue and muscle movement. This session explore the key ingredients for enhancing cognitive health and performance, the latest research and innovations around caffeine, and the role of nutrition against the stress of exercise and competition.
Saturday, November 10 from 8:30-11:30am
