9am-9:50am

The CEO Perspective
Peek inside the heads of these business leaders as they share their thoughts on such topics as the future of the industry, overall trends, quality issues, the unpredictable stock market, negative media portrayal and much more. This is your opportunity to pose questions to the visionaries who have helped shape the industry into what is today.

Moderator: Jon Benninger, group publisher, Virgo Publishing, Phoenix, AZ

Panelists: Elliott Balbert, CEO, Natrol, Chatsworth, CA; Sid Tracy, president, Traco Labs, Champaign, IL; Steve Demos, president, White Wave Inc., Boulder, CO

Scientific Presentations
1) Review the applications of controlled release technologies in nutraceuticals including delivery strategies and improved product examples.
Steve Turner, director, product development, Nutraceutix Inc., Redmond, WA

2) Hear how when administered in bioavailable form, i.e., amino acid chelates, copper, manganese and zinc appear to reduce the physical need for alcohol in alcohol dependent subjects.
H. Dewayne Ashmead, Ph.D., president, Albion Laboratories Inc., Clearfield, UT

3) Learn the advantages of microbial enzymes versus animal enzymes in the digestive process.
Rohit Medhekar, Ph.D., technical resources manager, National Enzyme Company, Forsyth, MO

Buyer Q & A Forum
Join a panel of top purchasing managers and senior buyers in the natural products industry to address audience questions and impart strategies and techniques. Come armed with questions relating to such issues as effective supplier selection and evaluation, strategic supplier alliances, global sourcing, cost containment, contracting, supply chain management and negotiations.

Moderator: Heather Granato, group editor, Virgo Publishing, Phoenix, AZ

Panelists: Jonathon Pinkus, president, Arizona Nutritional Supplements, Chandler, AZ; Chuck Wach, director of materials management, Nature's Sunshine, Spanish Fork, UT; William Murphy, director of operations, planning and purchasing, Nutricia, Simpsonville, SC

An Update from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
What is the most recent and important regulatory information the FDA thinks you should know? Listen as an FDA director reveals the latest on the safety of ingredients in functional foods, low carbohydrate claims of glycerine in food bars, allergens in foods and other general safety concerns.

John B. Foret, director, Division of Compliance and Enforcement, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington, D.C.

Crisis Management and Risk Reduction
Learn the steps to minimize the chances your company will ever confront a crisis that can be caused by a botched FDA inspection, the use of contraindicated ingredients or careless product design. Avoid crises by taking actions to ensure the cause of the crisis never occurs in the first place. Using a hypothetical situation, journey through the do's and don'ts of quality control, product liability risks and crisis management.

Moderator: Marc Ullman, partner, Ullman, Shapiro and Ullman, New York, NY

Panelists: Kevin Loftus, partner, O'Connor, McGuinness, Conte, Doyle & Oleson, White Plains, NY; Sheldon Baker, co-founder, Baker-Dillon Public Relations, Clovis, CA; Jim Tanner, Ph.D., executive vice president of science, Food Research Inc., Harrodsburg, KY

Opportunities in Asia
Considering entering the Asian market? You should, the possibilities are endless and the timing couldn't be better. These international business experts will reveal the secrets of doing business in Japan and China including regulatory concerns, the marketplace, distribution channels, forming alliances, supplier offerings and other relevant topics for successfully branching out.

Adam Ismail, senior consultant, Health Business Partners, Providence, RI

Randy Dennin, vice president of global business development, dietary supplements, Capsugel, Greenwood, SC

What's In the Bottle - Assuring Dietary Supplement Quality Through NSF Certification
Nine out of 10 public reports about dietary supplements contain negative statements, which damage the products' credibility with consumers and, ultimately, decrease sales. Learn how to combat negative press and build consumers' trust through NSF International's Dietary Supplements Certification Program. This seminar will describe NSF Standard 173 for Dietary Supplements, the certification program, the process to obtain certification, and the key benefits of becoming NSF certified and using the NSF mark.
Lori Bestervelt, Ph.D., vice president, technical operations, NSF International
Kathleen Pompliano, MS, RD, manager, new business development, NSF International

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9am-9:50am

Phaseolamin 2250™ and Non-Stimulant Carb Control
You may have seen Ronald M. Lawrence, MD, Ph.D. on "Larry King Live", "Nightline" and "The View". He currently is writing "Nature's Starch Stopper: Eat Starch, Lose Weight and Control Your Sugar." This is your opportunity to see him in person as he discusses his patients‚ results using a standardized carb-control ingredient, Phaseolamin 2250, and their experiences with the "Zero Net Calories" Lifestyle. Time for questions and answers will be allotted.
Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., author, "Nature's Starch Stopper: Eat Starch, Lose Weight, and Control Your Sugar"

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Nutrim: Oat Soluble Fiber HydroColloid & FruiteX-B: PhytoBoron
Hear Dr. Dusan Miljkovic review the benefits of FutureCeuticals' products Nutrim and FruitX-B. Nutrim provides a new generation of oat-based soluble beta-glucan hydrocolloids for functional foods and dietary formulas. Created by the USDA, Nutrim allows for a strong FDA coronary health claim. Nutrim imparts increased moistness, smooth texture and cohesiveness to foods. The second part of this session will discuss significant reports on current clinical trials involving FruitX-B. FruitX-B trails on osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D will be discussed along with other important health benefits with respect to joint and bone health, prevention of calcium loss and bone demineralization in menopausal women.

Dusan Miljkovic, Ph.D., chief scientist, Futureceuticals

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Clinical Evaluation of Herbal Extracts on Cardiovascular Health and Facial Beauty
For the past half-century, Maruzen has been researching the benefits of unique botanicals. Although collagen synthesis decreases with age, alpinia leaf, lotus seed and purple hull rice promote collagen synthesis to maintain a youthful appearance. Monacolin is a red rice extract that is lovastatin- and citrinin-free. It has the effect of lowering total and LDL cholesterol. Yacon suppresses the elevation of blood sugar after meals by behaving like insulin, preventing hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and obesity.

Yasuhiro Matano, chief, overseas sales department, Maruzen Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

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Immuno-proteins: The Next Step in Immune Enhancement
Immuno-proteins are the next breakthrough ingredients in our industry. Today's seeker of immune support products suffers from stress, lack of energy and depression. Stress has a negative impact on the secretion of immunoglobulin and chronic immune stimulation leads to a lack of energy. Come and learn about the science and applications of immunoglobulin, transferrin and other immuno-proteins in immune support products.
Eric Weaver, Ph.D., director, Proliant Inc. - Health Division

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Spirulina and the Effects on the Immune System
Spirulina is used by many for maintaining wellness. Hear about the latest clinical studies that substantiate important health claims. Why is Spirulina such a powerful antioxidant food? Why and how does Spirulina provide support for the immune system? What is the evidence? What are the implications? How may Spirulina contribute to healthy cholesterol levels and weight loss? These and other topics will be discussed.

Ronald Henson, vice president, Earthrise Nutritionals

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Supercritical Fluids: A Natural Fit for Natural Products
An emerging green technology, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, is already integrated in large volume manufacturing operations in the fine chemicals and food industries. Supercritical Fluid Processing provides increased concentration of actives, higher purity and yields, no organic solvent residues and non-hazardous manufacturing.This in-depth presentation will address science, manufacturing and current industry activities.

Val Krukonis, president and founder, Phasex

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