Below a sneak peak at this year’s program of in-depth sessions and panel discussions across the full spectrum of active nutrition, spanning topics such as market trends, regulatory challenges, personalization, mind health, longevity and the female athlete.
The state of the market
Setting the scene for the summit, experts will explore the growing demand for functional products in the active nutrition sector, driven by increasingly health-conscious lifestyles across all demographics.
As consumers increasingly seek targeted solutions to support physical performance, this session will examine the latest data and trends driving innovation and reshaping retail strategies.
Key insights will come from Stephen Daniells, editor-in-chief at NutraIngredients and Aishwarya Rajpara, consultant at Euromonitor International.
‘Ageless’ consumption
With consumers across all life stages seeking to stay active and vital, the concept of “ageless” consumption is redefiningthe active nutrition space. Therefore this session will explore the latest science and product development strategies meeting the growing demand for longevity-supporting solutions, with a focus on areas such as musculoskeletal health, mobility, recovery and overall vitality.
Speakers include Nick Morgan, founder and managing director of Nutrition Integrated, Sophie Chabloz, co-founder and chief science officer at Avea, and Sergej Ostojic, professor at the University of Agder.
Mind health
With growing recognition of the role that cognitive wellness plays in physical performance and recovery, mind health is emerging as a key focus within active nutrition. This session will explore the latest research and market trends driving innovation across stress management, focus, sleep and mood.
Experts will examine how ingredients such as nootropics, adaptogens, functional mushrooms and probiotics are reshaping product development and expanding the reach of active nutrition. Insights will be shared by Gabriel Elmar Bene, CEO of Tyroler Glückspilze, Robin Gurney, director of MUSHEEZ, Eric Puro, co-founder and CEO of KÄÄPÄ Biotech, Simon Salter, co-founder of DIRTEA, and Kristiina Singer, scientific expert at Biogena Group.
Innovation and investment
The innovation and investment session will spotlight breakthrough ideas and technologies that are reshaping the sector, from novel ingredients and delivery systems to new approaches in research, product development and business strategy.
This session will be led by Marcus Iken, manager of research and development at PM-International, Harini Venkataraman, associate research director at Lux Research, and Julian Weghuber, professor of molecular cell physiology at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
Redefining weight management
The approach to weight management in active nutrition is undergoing a fundamental shift—from restrictive diets and quick fixes to inclusive, health-focused strategies rooted in science and personalization. This session will explore the evolving narrative, focusing on metabolic health, appetite regulation and sustainable long-term outcomes. As GLP-1 receptor agonists gain attention, experts will examine their implications for the market and discuss how brands are innovating to deliver.
Insights will be provided by Paul Cotter, head of food biosciences at Teagasc and co-founder of SeqBiome Ltd., Mark Gilbert, commercial nutritionist for The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, and Michael O’Leary, head of product at Elite Sports Nutrition (ESN).
The female athlete
As female representation in elite sports reaches historic levels, the need for tailored nutritional strategies is more important than ever. This session will explore the latest science and innovation addressing the unique physiological needs of female athletes and active individuals, covering topics such as menstrual health, PCOS, performance optimization and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).
Featured speakers for this session are Nicky Keay, honorary clinical lecturer at University College London, Renee McGregor, sports dietitian and clinical lead, James Morton, chief science officer at Science in Sport (SIS), and Steffen Oesser, director of the Collagen Research Institute.
Personalization and new technologies
As technology transforms the future of nutrition, the shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to personalized strategies is accelerating. This session will explore how emerging tools such as advanced wearable tech, biomarker testing, AI-driven platforms and nutrigenomics, are enabling more tailored, data-informed solutions.
The experts will delve into how personalization is enhancing performance, recovery and long-term health. Joining the session are Mariëtte Abrahams, founder and CEO of Qina, Femke Hoevenaars, senior scientist at TNO, Nathan Price, CSO at Thorne Healthcare, and Marimiina Pykälistö, consulting advisor at Génie Santé.
Navigating the noise: Essential insights on marketing, regulation and social media
Brands face increasing pressure to cut through misinformation and communicate with clarity and credibility, therefore this session will explore the growing influence of social media on consumer perception, the challenges of maintaining regulatory compliance and how brands can build trust through transparent and effective marketing.
Experts will share strategies for navigating the intersection of innovation, regulation and digital communication to drive responsible growth in a saturated market. The session will include perspectives from Luca Bucchini, chair of ESSNA and co-founder of Hylobates, Sunna van Kampen, founder and CEO of Tonic Health, and Marit Veenstra, brand and innovation strategist at The Healthy Marketing Team (HMT).