Table of Contents
WASHINGTON – The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, will kick off its CONVERGENCE ‘24 conference program with a keynote address from Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for Human Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Taking place Oct. 9–11 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, CRN’s annual gathering for the dietary supplement and functional food industry is open to members and non-members, with details available at crnusa.org/2024events.
FDA’s Jones will address CONVERGENCE attendees on Oct. 10, just days after the agency’s official reorganization goes into effect. He’ll share perspectives on how dietary supplement oversight fits into the new framework, as well as enforcement priorities, and legislative updates to DSHEA supported by the agency. Additional keynotes include Noelle Russell, a leading voice in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on business, and political analyst Chris Cillizza, former CNN Politics reporter and editor-at-large.
“CRN’s carefully curated program of keynote speakers for CONVERGENCE ‘24 is designed to help keep supplement industry stakeholders connected to the latest developments at FDA, inspire innovation sparked by discussions around the future of AI, and make sense of what today’s headlines portend for the global political landscape,” said CRN President & CEO Steve Mister. “And, of course, attendees will enjoy the ample opportunities for networking and conversation about what’s next for our industry as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of DSHEA.”
Prior to the main CONVERGENCE program, CRN is offering Science in Session and WellComms events concurrently, starting the morning of Oct. 9, to accommodate the diverse interests of attendees.
Science in Session will dive into the latest scientific research on bioactives for supporting healthy longevity. Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, Ph.D., professor at the University of Florida, is first on the symposium agenda with a talk on the hallmarks of aging and opportunities for nutrition intervention. Additional talks will highlight bioactives research in the areas of cognition, bone and skin health, inflammation and obesity, and more.
For those focused on marketing and communications, WellComms will offer a dedicated forum to explore the latest trends and strategies in the supplement industry. Tommaso Visentini, divisional vice president, Analytics, Insights and Brand Activation at Pharmavite, will delve into the profound transformation of the VMS consumer landscape. His presentation will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift from reactive condition management to proactive health and wellness. Visentini will dissect the evolving consumer journey, highlighting the influence of social media on shaping supplement preferences and purchasing decisions. He will offer valuable insights into crafting effective advertising strategies to resonate with this new breed of informed and proactive consumers.
In addition, CRN will present its inaugural Innovation Exchange the afternoon of Oct. 9, featuring a series of 25-minute presentations on cutting edge ingredient research from a steering committee selected lineup of experts. Innovation Exchange attendance is complimentary to all registered attendees on site.
Registration options for CRN’s annual events include à la carte options for Science in Session or WellComms, as well as packages with special pricing when registering for both a pre-event and the main CONVERGENCE. Learn more at crnusa.org/2024events.
