Agenda

AGENDA

Tuesday, May 16—NASC Basic Training

8:00 – 8:40 AM | Opening Comments, Anti-trust Statement, NASC Strategic Objectives

8:45 – 9:45 AM | Breakout Rotation 1
  • Labeling and Claims
  • NAERS Data Entry
  • cGMPs and Quality Manuals
10:10 – 11:10 AM | Breakout Rotation 2
  • Labeling and Claims
  • NAERS Data Entry
  • cGMPs and Quality Manuals
11:20 AM – 12:20 PM | Breakout Rotation 3
  • Labeling and Claims
  • NAERS Data Entry
  • cGMPs and Quality Manuals
12:20 – 1:30 PM | Lunch on Your Own | The resort offers fast-casual lunch in the Blue Coyote Cafe and Black Fig Coffee & Bistro 

1:30 – 2:15 PM | Practical Labeling and Claims Workshop

2:15 – 2:45 PM | Supplier Qualification Program and Requirements

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Overview of the NASC Audit

3:30 – 4:15 | Final Q&A and Closing Comments

5:00 – 6:30 PM | New Member Welcome Reception | All attendees & exhibitors welcome
Wednesday, May 17—Conference Day One
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | NASC Golf Tournament + Optional Group Activities | Learn more

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Exhibits Open, Networking

General Session

1:00 – 1:15 PM | Conference Kickoff and Opening Comments

1:15 – 2:00 PM | Consumer Insights and the Future of Pet Supplement Shopping | What might the future of pet supplements hold? From favored formats and functional ingredients to economic factors that influence price tolerance, the future of the category evolves with its shoppers. MarketPlace’s Nicole Hill and Jon Copeland will unveil fresh insights from their annual survey of 500+ pet supplement shoppers. Looking to the future, Nicole and Jon will spotlight the consumer attitudes and behaviors that are shaping the category, with new insights to help your brand grow. | Presented by Nicole Hill, Executive Director – Strategy, MarketPlace, and Jon Copeland, Research Strategist, MarketPlace

2:00 – 2:20 PM | Ashwagandha Root Extract: Good for Business, Great for Animals | Touting double-digit sales growth year over year, Ashwagandha root extract has gone from a niche botanical several years ago to a superstar ingredient today. A powerful adaptogen from India, Ashwagandha root extract delivers multiple benefits for companion animals and horses, including calming/stress reduction, healthy aging, digestive support, and joint support. In this talk, Tom Aarts will discuss the meteoric rise of Ashwagandha root extract in human dietary supplements and how it is now gaining momentum in animal supplement formulations, driven by clinical research that supports its benefits and increasing demand from pet parents and equine enthusiasts. | Presented by Tom Aarts, Managing Director, Nutrition Business Advisors

2:20 – 2:35 PM | Top Steps for Accelerating the Growth of Pet Supplement Brands on Amazon | Selling on Amazon allows brands to reach millions of consumers, but you must get an overwhelming number of things right to find success. In this session, Sid Mikhail will share important steps brands can take to grow their brand and their sales on this platform that often seems insurmountable. He will discuss: 
  • Rogue sellers and how they affect brand equity/erosion and pricing fluctuations 
  • Why it’s important that your sales, advertising, and creative teams work hand-in-hand
  • How incremental changes in conversion rate and impressions make huge impacts
  • Why TAM and market share are important to monitor
  • Customer lifetime value and ensuring you’re growing both new and repeat sales
  • Compliance for the pet supplement category
  • How to improve organic ranking 
Presented by Sid Mikhail, CEO, Luminize Marketing

2:35 – 2:55 | Fear Less, Love More: Healing Trauma and Improving Resilience Through Equine-Centered Programming |  Since 1999, Hunkapi Programs, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has created and honed a one-of-a-kind equine therapy program that has become recognized for its ability to aid in the healing of trauma, improve resilience and self-efficacy, decrease fear and anxiety, and promote social engagement and healthy social relationship after traumatic events. Terra will introduce us to this incredible program that uses a herd of 26 specially trained, retired, and rescued horses to serve over 300 clients from diverse populations, including foster children, veterans and first responders with PTSD, cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and recovering addicts. | Presented by Terra Schaad, Founder, Hunkapi Programs, Inc.

2:55 – 3:55 PM | Networking Coffee Break—Sponsored by Colorcon

Science/Compliance Breakouts

3:55 – 4:25 PM | The Latest Research on Equine Supplements and Supplement Ingredients | In this session. Dr. Gray will share recently published studies on equine supplements (specific formulas) as well as on individual supplement ingredients. She will review study protocols and conclusions, and help companies figure out how to put the information to use in their R & D programs. Ideas for future equine supplement research will be generated, including the who, what, when, where, why and how (much). Expect to walk out with a better sense of how to assess study quality and the value of supplement research in the eyes of horse owners, veterinarians, and other stakeholders. | Presented by Lydia Gray, DVM, Lydia Gray Consulting, LLC

4:35 – 5:05 PM | Your Pet Ate What?! Best Practices for Managing Accidental Ingestion in Dogs and Cats | When pets are exposed to consumer products, panicked pet owners will contact manufacturers wanting to know if their pet is in danger of poisoning. Additionally, when pets fall ill, pet owners may conclude that consumer products are the cause and contact manufacturers demanding answers and monetary compensation. Join this session to: 
  • Understand how manufacturers can prepare to manage pet exposures to their products that result in the best possible outcome for the pet, the pet owner, and their brand.
  • Learn about the consumer healthcare products that pose the greatest risk for poisoning in pets
  • Find out how and why best practice companies competently manage pets' exposures to their products both internally and through outsourcing.
Presented by Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, DABT, DABVT, Director of Veterinary Services, SafetyCall International & Pet Poison Helpline

5:15 – 5:45 PM | Understanding the Impact of the Microbiome in Maintaining the Health of Companion Animals | The term “microbiome” continues to trend upwards as part of a greater emphasis on health. Not surprisingly, this is true in the companion animal space as well. Join this session to learn more about what the microbiome is, why it matters across many different facets of health, and how diet changes can allow us to impact the community of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to positive health outcomes. We’ll bring more clarity to the science around the microbiome of dogs, cats, and horses, and provide illustrations of how we’ve linked phenotypical outcomes to metagenomic data. | Presented by Mark Franklin, PhD, Senior Advisor, R&D Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Cargill

Business/Marketing Breakouts

3:55 – 4:25 PM | Unlocking Business Growth Potential in a Challenging Economy | Unlock the tools every business must utilize, as well as actions they must take, in order to thrive in a down economy and maintain or improve profitability. Data supports the fact that there will be at least a $10 trillion dollar wealth transfer happening in the next three to five years. Entrepreneurial business owners need to be prepared and informed so they can take advantage of the opportunity to maximize their value and competitive advantage and realize their potential. | Presented by Josi Young, CEO, Silver Lining Herbs and Kandis Michnal, Principal Executive, Cardone Ventures

4:35 – 5:05 PM | Protecting and Growing Online Sales: Channel Management Strategies and Enforcement Against Unauthorized Sellers | We will discuss how a brand's go-to-market strategies contribute to their inability to control the brand's online resale, the relevant legal landscape, and best practices for protecting and growing a brand's online sales. | Presented by Natalia Steele, Partner, Vorys eControl

5:15 – 5:45 PM | Come Play the Claim Game! | Join Sara Phillips for an interactive session on structure-function claims. In small groups you will collaborate with your industry colleagues as you review a number of product concepts. Together you will flex your knowledge and creativity as you brainstorm ideas for product claims. You will share your ideas and hear how others approach writing effective, regulatory compliant claims. Get inspired! Make new connections! And have fun at this high-energy and engaging session! (Note: NASC does not evaluate the truthfulness of any claims. It is up to the company to substantiate all benefit claims for their company and products.)| Presented by Sarah Phillips, Vice President of Global Pet Business, FoodScience LLC, with Ryan Cargo, Chief Operating Officer, NASC

6:30 – 8:30 PM | Opening Reception and Hunkapi Fundraiser—Sponsored by Uckele Health and Nutrition | All attendees & exhibitors welcome
Thursday, May 18—Conference Day Two
7:00 – 8:00 AM | Networking Breakfast for All Attendees & Exhibitors

Science/Compliance Breakouts

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Postbiotics—Status, Benefits, and Applications in Companion Animals | Recently, postbiotics have emerged as another group of beneficial compounds that can help support consumer’s wellness demands. This presentation reviews postbiotics’ definitions and regulatory status, types of postbiotics, mechanisms of actions, clinical characteristics, benefits over pro- and prebiotics, and examples of postbiotics already finding their applications in companion animals. | Presented by Ramona Cernat, PhD, Microbiome Director, ADM Animal Nutrition

8:40 – 9:10 AM | AAFCO Pet Food Labeling Modernization | In 2015, AAFCO began the Pet Food Label Modernization project to update the Pet Food Model Regulations. In this session, you will learn more about how AAFCO’s work with the industry and state regulators to modernize how pet food and specialty pet food labels are presented to consumers will create a new level of consistency and transparency not seen before. | Presented by Jo Lynn Otero, Program Manager, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

9:20 – 9:50 AM | Clean Label Ingredients for Pet Supplements: Securing Your Botanical Supply Chains and Avoiding Botanical Adulteration | Stay ahead of the curve in the pet supplement industry. As pet trends follow human trends, more consumers are demanding natural, functional botanical ingredients in their pets' supplements. However, with the rise in demand for these ingredients, compounded by inflationary price pressures, adulteration of botanical ingredients has become more common. Adulteration in human supplements has taken center stage as a recent study showed that the majority of immune supplements bought on Amazon did not match contents on the labels - which makes it critical for pet supplement manufacturers to take steps to prevent adulteration. In this session, you will learn what adulteration is and the key types of adulteration that can occur, what botanicals are most often adulterated, and how to prevent adulteration to ensure you are getting the value of what your are paying for and protecting your brand. | Presented by Collette Kakuk, Global Vice President of Marketing, Layn Natural Ingredients

Business/Marketing Breakouts

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Adopting Sustainability Practices That Positively Impact Customers, Their Pets, and Your Business | In this session, attendees will learn why companies should use their business to positively impact pets, people and the planet, and some ways to implement these practices. Stephanie will share data points showing the key drivers for pet parents when making purchasing decisions, as well as small and easy steps your company can take to get started. Here’s the exciting part – being an NASC Member already gives you a head start on your impact journey! | Presented by Stephanie Volo, Chief Impact Officer, Earth Animal

8:40 – 9:10 AM | Leveraging Technology to Create Lifetime Customer Relationships | In today's commoditized and fragmented market, it's more important than ever to create personalized and meaningful experiences that make customers successful. Retention, referrals and revenue are the lifeblood of any business and are dependent on the first experience your customers have with your product. Do your customers understand your products and how to properly use them? Increase customer success and joy from a customer's first experience to increase lifetime value. Join Blustream's Tyler Craig for a conversation about emerging technologies that will drive the customer experiences that set your business apart. | Presented by Tyler Craig, Chief Revenue Officer, Blustream

9:20 – 9:50 AM | Global Trends in the EPA and DHA Omega-3 Industry | The global EPA and DHA omega-3 industry is a dynamic and diverse industry, with a variety of sources, including legacy ingredients like cod liver oil, and new entrants like algae oil. Dr. Aldo Bernasconi, VP of Data Science at GOED, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, will provide an overview of the category, sharing the latest market numbers and analyzing the trends and developments that have been most impactful to the sector. He will also look at issues like sustainability, how Covid has changed the market and how the pet category fits into the omega-3 world. | Presented by Aldo Bernasconi, PhD, VP of Data Analytics, GOED Omega-3

9:50 – 10:35 AM | Networking Coffee Break—Sponsored by Zinpro Corp.

General Session

10:35 - 11:20 AM | Merrill Lynch Presents Economic Outlook and M&A Opportunity | A panel of experts from Merrill Lynch will present their Chief Investment Office view on the state of the economy, their market outlook, and what this information could mean for you and your business. Plus, a presentation by the Merrill Lynch private sales team on the latest insights within the mergers and acquisitions landscape; including what to consider for your business, thresholds/key milestones and what the M&A process entails. | Presented by Lisa Pacheco, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; David Koh, Managing Director and Senior Investment Strategist, Bank of America Corporation; Robert Lucchese, M&A Advisor, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; and Chris Ficara, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

11:20 AM – 12:20 PM | Keynote Address—Complaint Free Business: Turning Complainers Into Collaborators | Executives, employees and staff deal with hundreds of complaints on a daily basis from both complaining customers and complaining coworkers. In this fast-paced and funny presentation, you'll learn:
  • What’s wrong with complaining? (Complaining’s destructive effects on health, happiness, relationships and career)
  • What is (and isn’t) a complaint?
  • The 5 reasons people complain (as remembered by the acronym G.R.I.P.E.)
  • How to get other people (and ourselves) to stop complaining
  • Positive leadership in a negative world
You’ll leave inspired, mindful of your own complaints, and motivated to approach complainers with new, simple and effective strategies | Presented by Will Bowen, President, Lamplighter, Inc.

12:20 – 1:20 PM | Networking Lunch for All Attendees & Exhibitors—Sponsored by Garmon Corp. | All attendees & exhibitors welcome

1:20 – 2:05 PM | SEO Strategy: Using Keywords and Quality Content to Outrank Your Competition on Google | Are you ready to establish a strong online presence and stand out from a crowd? More visitors to your site mean more opportunities to convert them into customers, which leads to increased revenue. Learn what Google looks for and adjust your website to boost its rankings. Learn the different types of Google listings and how to show up there. | Presented by Jane Phelps, CEO/Partner, Know Agency

2:05 – 2:20 PM | CBD Study Update and Outlook | Presented by Bill Bookout, NASC President, with Margitta Dziwenka, Director – Preclinical and Companion Animal Services, Nutrasource Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Services

2:20 – 3:05 PM | NASC Legal Panel | The legal panel is always one of our most popular sessions. In 2022 and 2023 there has been an increase in legal activities, and you want to be sure you are aware of the things that may put your company at risk. Among the topics our panel of experts will discuss will be:
  • Benefit claims – substantiation of claims, including structure-function claims
  • Requirements for Natural, Organic, Human Grade and Made in the USA claims
  • What are the avenues where your company may be challenged; FDA, state regulators, FTC, private firms threatening class action, etc. 
  • Supplier qualification and product testing requirements 
Presented by Todd A. Harrison, Partner, Venable LLP; Kim Pearson, General Counsel, Thorne; and Justin Prochnow, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; moderated by Bill Bookout, President, NASC

3:05 – 3:50 PM | Networking Coffee Break

3:50 – 4:35 PM | Pet Supplement Trends, and What We Can Learn from Looking at Human Trends | Pet supplements have continued to grow in the market and amongst consumers over the last few years following the COVID household pet boom. We’ll dive into how pet supplement products, along with other pet foods and treats, are performing today across the retail landscape. We’ll also discuss some of the human trends we’re seeing that may indicate some future opportunities for pet supplement innovation. | Presented by Caroline Davidson, Director – Channel Partnerships, SPINS

4:35 – 5:20 PM | What Today's Retailers Want and Need in the Supplement Product Category | PETS+ Editor-in-Chief Pamela Mitchell shares insights from the magazine's annual Big Survey and monthly Brain Squad surveys, including answers from a special Retailer Wishlist question about the category. The results cover everything from ingredients and delivery methods to packaging and support. A panel of retailers will join her for discussion and a Q&A. | Presented by Pamela Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief, Pets+ Magazine, plus Retailer Panel

5:20 – 5:50 PM | NASC Business Meeting | Open to dues-paying members only (including Preferred Suppliers)

6:30 – 10:30 PM | Final Night Dinner and Awards Gala—Sponsored by Pharmore Ingredients, Inc. | All attendees & exhibitors welcome
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