April 27-29, 2009
Meadowlands Exposition Center
Secaucus, New Jersey

Virgo Announces Agenda, Sponsors for Focus on the Future

Contact: Amy Sharman
Marketing and Communications Manager
Virgo Publishing
Phone: 480-990-1101, ext. 1543
Email: asharman@vpico.com

PHOENIX -- Virgo Publishing announced details of the 5th Annual Focus on the Future Executive Conference and Retreat set for Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2007, in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the Caleo Resort & Spa. The event draws leading executives from the dietary supplement and healthy food industry for high-level and interactive seminars, exclusive networking events and a private catered tent at the PGA’s largest tournament, the FBR Open.

“This year we have expanded the education program to incorporate another track of interactive sessions dedicated to healthy food opportunities,” said Peggy Jackson, director of publishing at Virgo Publishing. "With decision-makers from Kraft, Herbalife International, Nestlé, Natrol and many other leading dietary supplement and food companies participating, the synergy at this event will be outstanding.”

The Welcome Reception, sponsored by National Enzyme Company, following a golf outing sponsored by Deerland Enzymes, will begin the conference on Jan. 30. After the reception and Welcome Speaker, a Southwestern dinner, sponsored by KGK Synergize, will be served poolside at the Caleo Resort and Spa.

The education program, co-sponsored by InterHealth Nutraceuticals and Lesaffre Group, runs Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 from 8:30am to 4pm. Sessions will address the future of the dietary supplement and healthy food industries in several key areas.

Education highlights include:

Capitol Hill Lobbyists and Herbalife’s John Venardos to Present the Regulatory & Legislative Update
Herbalife International’s John Venardos and longtime industry lobbyists Ed Long and Jack Martin will discuss the current climate in Washington for the dietary supplement industry and suggest what can be done to preserve DSHEA and further the industry’s interests.

Balance Bar Founder and Nestlé’s Vice President of New Product Development to Join Energy Drink and Functional Beverage Panel
Beverage pioneer Jim Tonkin, President of Tonkin Consulting, will moderate a discussion with Balance Bar founder and current president of FRS, Richard Lamb, and Nestlé’s Steve Allen about where this fast-growing category is going next, how big can the market for these products get, and what innovations can we expect to see in the future.  

Product Development Panel on Designing Healthier Food to Feature Kraft’s Vice President of R&D
Todd Abraham will join a panel of leading R&D professionals to examine the challenges of creating healthier foods without sacrificing taste.

Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., to Speak about Dietary Supplements and the Health Care Crisis
Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., FACN, CNS, director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University will discuss the promise dietary supplements have in regards to prevention as well as the challenge of substantiating the benefits.

Countering Negative Media Perceptions Session to be Presented by Natrol Founder and Executive Chairman, and Vice President of Communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)
A discussion of current attitudes towards the dietary supplement industry will be lead by Natrol’s founder and executive chairman, Elliott Balbert, and Judy Blatman, vice president of communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). Blatman and Balbert will review what the industry is doing to get out a balanced message to counter negative perceptions.

Additional presentations include:
-- David Thibodeau of Canaccord Adams to present “Financial Performance of the Functional Food Sector”
-- Managing partner at The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), Steve French, will present “Consumer Attitudes and Behaviors toward Food & Health” 
-- Industry thought-leader Loren Israelsen will moderate a discussion titled “Self Regulation for Dietary Supplements: A Specific Action Plan”
-- The Hartman Group’s Laurie Demeritt will present on “Trends in Consumer Food Habits and Behaviors”

In addition to the education program, many networking opportunities give participants a chance to continue conversations and discussions.  The registration package includes: continental breakfasts on Jan. 31, sponsored by Unigen Pharmaceuticals, and Feb. 1, sponsored by Wild Flavors; a luncheon on Jan. 31 sponsored by SourceOne Global Partners and another on Feb. 1 sponsored by Kyowa Hakko; happy hours on Jan. 31, sponsored by Blue California, and Feb. 1, sponsored by Lonza; and breaks on Jan. 31, sponsored by Watson Inc., and Feb. 1, sponsored by Beijing Gingko Group.

Rounding out the networking events and conference are the Dessert Reception on the evening of Feb. 1, sponsored by AIDP Inc., and the private, catered tent at the FBR Open on Feb. 2, which is co-sponsored by E.T. Horn Co., HerbaKraft, Life Sciences Research Office and Santa Cruz Nutritionals.  The FBR Open is the PGA’s largest tournament and is a celebrated social and business event in Scottsdale, attracting spectators from all over the world.

Average temperatures in Scottsdale in February are in the 70s and winter is the peak tourist season, drawing people for golfing, hiking, shopping, spas and special events. Participants are encouraged to bring their spouses.

More information about Focus on the Future 2007 is available at www.focusonthefuture.net, or by calling Virgo Publishing at (480) 990-1101 ext. 1171.

Virgo Publishing produces the SupplySide Trade Shows and Conferences, the Focus on the Future Executive Conference and Retreat, and the online training Web site nutrilearn.com; and publishes Natural Products INSIDER, Natural Products Marketplace and Food Product Design magazines.

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