For Immediate Release
January 26, 2009
Contact: Amy Sharman
Marketing and Communications Manager, Virgo Publishing
480-990-1101, ext. 1543; asharman@vpico.com

PHOENIX -- Professionals from supply, manufacturing and retail channels met at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., last week at Virgo Publishing's Focus on the Future Executive Conference & Retreat for networking, educational sessions and industry discussion.

“Focus on the Future has always been an apt name for this conference. But this year, more than ever before, with the inauguration of President Obama, focusing on change and the future is a critical concept. In a few days in Scottsdale, you step away from the day to day of your business and ‘focus on the future.’ In looking at trends in nutrition, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and myriad other topics, you are able to truly concentrate on the future and the changes that will affect your business. In these difficult economic times, it is truly necessary to step away from the anxiety and fear of ‘what’s coming in the next year’ and focus on where you should be in two, three or five years. The presentations were lively and well-informed and sparked interesting dialogue among the attendees.”
--Frank Assumma, director of marketing, Natural Health Science

“As a first-timer at the Focus on the Future conference, I was impressed with both the quality of the presentations and the great insights I gained on multiple relevant topics. Also, there were great networking opportunities at a business-friendly resort. The Focus on the Future conference provided me marketing insights on the ‘next big thing,’ which will prove invaluable in planning marketing strategy for 2009 and beyond.”
--Sharrann Simmons, senior marketing manager, North America, Cognis Nutrition & Health

Golfers took to the greens at the Talking Stick Golf Club for the annual golf outing, sponsored by Deerland Enzymes for the third year, on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Later that evening, participants attended a Welcome Reception, sponsored by National Enzyme Company, held outside on the Palm Grove court at the Hyatt. Following the reception, attendees enjoyed dinner and Focus on the Future Awards presentation, sponsored by Capsugel and Kyowa Hakko. The Humanitarian Award was presented to Wyeth for product donations totaling more than $2.8 million since 2002 to Nourish America, nutritional supplement donations to disaster victims and emergency workers in Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Gustav as well as the Iowa/Midwest floods of 2008, and product donations and $1 million for relief and rebuilding efforts after the earthquake in China in May 2008. The Vanguard Award for leadership impacting the industry was presented to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences (SCNM). SCNM prepares students to become naturopathic physicians educated in the practice of naturopathic medicine and to serve the public by providing quality education, research and natural medical care. After the dinner, Game Night, sponsored by Innophos, brought participants together for blackjack, roulette, craps and a chance to win cash prizes.

The education program, co-sponsored by Lesaffre Human Care and Ovos Natural Health, focused on market, sales and consumer trends over the two days. Additionally, speakers discussed quality, regulatory updates, healthy living financial markets, leveraging sales data and much more. Professionals from Access Business Group, Canaccord Adams, Colman Brohan Davis, Cascadia Consulting Group, ConsumerLab.com, Corvus Blue, Datamonitor, Dobson | DaVanzo, Euromonitor, Frost & Sullivan, General Mills, Living Naturally LLC, Mintel International, Natural Marketing Institute, Packaged Facts, Sloan Trends, USA Track & Field and U.S. FDA presented during the program.

Attendees participated in a variety of daily networking events during the conference. Continental breakfasts were sponsored by Natural Health Science and Sabinsa. Nutraceutix sponsored refreshments all day on Wednesday. Evening happy hours and roundtables were sponsored by E.T. Horn and Roxlor International; each event included hosted beverages and snacks. Wednesday's lunch was sponsored by Proprietary Nutritionals, while Thursday's lunch was sponsored by Lonza. Attendees participated in the lively dessert and karaoke reception, sponsored by Marco Hi-Tech, on Thursday evening. The festivities concluded on Friday with a breakfast sponsored by Albion Human Nutrition.

“Focus on the Future was a great place to network with peers in the industry. It provided gems of information that fueled creative ideas for new products and marketing opportunities.”
-- Lisa Peterson Love, marketing director, Nutri-Health Supplements

For information on upcoming Virgo Publishing events, including SupplySide East, SupplySide West and Focus on the Future, call (800) 454-5760 or visit SupplySideShow.com.

Virgo Publishing produces the SupplySide Trade Shows and Conferences, the Focus on the Future Executive Conference and Retreat, Nutrilearn.com and InsideCosmeceuticals.com; and publishes Natural Products INSIDER, Natural Products Marketplace and Food Product Design magazines. Virgo Publishing also publishes CULINOLOGY for the Research Chefs Association.