The Benninger Blog  |
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 Jon Benninger
is the director of business development at Virgo Publishing, with responsibility for industry outreach and new business development. Benninger entered the natural products industry in 1990 and joined Virgo in 1995 as the founding editor of HSR. He is an active member of many associations, including the Natural Products Association, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). He also serves as president of the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA).
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05/02/2008
SupplySide East was a great show by all accounts. Thank you!
Both exhibitors and attendees told me that SupplySide East was the best yet, and judging by the buzz on the floor, they were right. We had many new attendees this year thanks to some creative marketing, including more people from the cosmetic and food industries than ever before. Our ""Cosmeceutical Day" workshop was sold out and included teams from the world's top cosmetic and personal care companies. The session with FDA's Dr. Bill Frankos was packed and energetic. And the delegation from India was thrilled with their reception and contacts. I want to personally thank everyone who participated for making this show a success. The hard work that goes into organizing such an event is well worth it when we see how much was accomplished. If you are a supplier and want to exhibit at SupplySide East 2009, let us know asap. The show floor for next year's event is already more than 70% sold.
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04/24/2008
Visit the delegation from India at SupplySide East, booth #1119
The Indian Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (PHARMEXCIL) is bringing a delegation of companies to SupplySide East next week. These include unique ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers and providers of finished products. Having been to India twice in the last 2 months, I know firsthand that there are many exciting companies and products that are yet to enter the U.S. market. The companies travelling to SupplySide East are on the leading edge of what is sure to be a growing wave of Indian companies coming to the states. Please join me in welcoming this group. And, do stop by their exhibit (#1119) to learn more about them. You just might find your next big thing. I'll see you there!
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04/22/2008
LAST CHANCE to sign up for "GMP ADVANCED COURSE" at SupplySide East
There is still time (barely) for you to sign up for the Advanced GMP Course for dietary supplements taking place April 28-29 at SupplySide East. The course is presented by the Natural Products Assoociation and includes speakers from EAS Consulting, Quality Design Systems, Nature's Way and NPA. For NPA members, the 1.5 day course is $695 and for non-members it is $895. There is also a 10% discount for multiple registrants from the same company. To sign up, you must contact NPA's Vicki Whitsitt by noon pacific time on Friday, April 25. You can reach her at 800-966-6632 ext 243 or vwhitsitt@naturalproductsassoc.org. The event takes place at the Embassy Suites right next to SupplySide East in Secaucus, New Jersey in the Meadowlands II meeting room. It runs Monday April 28 8am-5pm and Tuesday April 29 8am-noon. If there is space, you can sign up on site, though you will be charged an extra $50. With GMP compliance rapidly approaching, this is a great opportunity to dig deep into the rule. I'll see you at SupplySide!
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04/17/2008
Interested in India? Let me know!
India is an amazing country with a wealth of natural resources, particularly related to medicinal and healthy herbs. After my two recent trips there, it is clear that there are countless opportunities for business to be done between Indian and U.S. companies in this sector. We are committed to assisting with this process. In fact, there is a group coming to SupplySide East from India for this purpose. If you are interested in learning more about the many herbs, suppliers and potential partners in India, just let me know. I will be happy to arrange a meeting for you during SupplySide East. Contact me at jonb@vpico.com or +1 (480) 990-1101 ext 1108. As always, we are at your service. Namaste.
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04/14/2008
Only two weeks until SupplySide East
Two weeks from today, thousands of executives will gather for SupplySide East in Secaucus, New Jersey. We have put together a top-notch education program, an exhibit hall full of great ideas and ingredients, and some excellent networking opportunities. I took a peek at the pre-registered attendee list late last week, and it looks great. We have top supplement, food and cosmetic companies coming, including some new ones that we have not seen before. For details about the show, click here. I'll see you there!
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04/01/2008
Back to India
As I write this, I am waiting for my flight from Philadephia to Frankfurt, and then on to New Delhi. I am returning to India just one month after my first visit, and this time as part of a group from the U.S. industry. We have been invited to speak at a conference on Indian herbs that is organized by the Indian government, ASSOCHAM and the Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association (ADMA). Though the trip is about 30 hours, it is worth it. There are great opportunities for trade between the U.S. and Indian natural products industries, and we are honored to be a part of this process. Stay tuned.
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03/18/2008
SupplySide East is approaching fast ... here is what you need to know
SupplySide East is less than 6 weeks away and coming together nicely. Here are some things to note as you prepare for the show. The early-bird registration discounts end on March 31, so save yourself some money and get signed up to attend before the end of the month. There is also still time to take advantage of this venue to promote your ingredients to the thousands of buyers in attendance, so please contact us if you would like to discuss the options. There are also some new additions to SupplySide East this year. We have developed a special program for cosmetic and personal care companies that market finished products, and we anticipate many more attendees from this sector. We are also collaborating with the Natural Marketing Institute to offer an in-depth workshop examining trends and opportunities related to metabolic syndrome (click here). The Natural Products Association is offering a 1.5 day program on the dietary supplement GMPs, and you can get more information by contacting Vickie Whitsitt at (800) 966-6632 ext. 243. For details on the full SupplySide East education program, click here. I'll see you there!
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