Vitafoods Europe, the global nutraceutical event held May 9 to 11, 2017 at Palexpo in Geneva, is reforming its education to offer more flexibility for attendees who want to attend other educational events, explore the show floor and go to meetings. In addition, the new program design will allow attendees to take part in more targeted sessions aligned with their job function and areas of interest.

In 2017, Vitafoods Europe’s new Education Program will be separated into three streams:

Vitafoods R&D Forums—Developed for visitors with an interest in obtaining high-level technical knowledge of science and R&D to substantiated product development, there will be seven half-day Vitafoods R&D Forums showcasing the latest in applied nutrition science. Each of the sessions will be dedicated to an ingredient: omega-3, plant sterols, polyphenols, vitamins, dietary fibers, protein and ingredients from India. The forums will provide a focus on documented ingredient benefits and applications for product development through a prism of clinical trials, observational studies and EU projects, and will be delivered by some of the world’s leading experts in the seven fields.

A call for papers for the seven R&D Forums has been issued, with participants invited to submit for consideration an 800-word Industry Success Story that highlights relevant ingredient applications for market success. Only one speaker per category will be chosen to deliver a paper but, for the first time, all accepted abstracts will be published on Vitafoodsinsights.com, offering valuable exposure to everybody who contributes.

Vitafoods Business Workshops–Presenting best practice for business growth, market access and streamlined supply chains, four half-day Vitafoods Business Workshops will each focus on a different topic—regulation, market trends, marketing and botanicals. Developed for management and senior-level professionals in sales and marketing roles, the sessions will provide unique and in-depth insights to help attendees identify the space for innovation, de-code the route to lasting consumer engagement, and increase their knowledge and expertise in the areas of successful ingredient registration and market access. 

Vitafoods Probiotics Summit—The full-day Vitafoods Summit will take place on the first day of Vitafoods Europe (May 9). Specifically dedicated to exploring the current market, regulatory restrictions and the latest developments in R&D within probiotics, the Vitafoods Probiotics Summit will place emphasis on identifying gaps in knowledge and research and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.

“Every visitor is different, and the new Vitafoods Europe Education Programme will deliver targeted, high-value content focused on individual needs," said Chris Lee, Vitafoods portfolio director at Informa Exhibitions. “There will be something for everyone—whether it’s information about business regulation, up-to-date market insights, or the latest cutting edge scientific research. It means that when you come to Vitafoods Europe 2017, you really can have it your way."