Dietary supplements are higher demand than normal due to the COVID-19 public health crisis--yet many of the industry conferences that traditionally have been central to business conversations on everything from new ingredients and products to manufacturing and distribution, have been cancelled or postponed, observesOrganic & Natural Health Association. Not having these industry events, Organic & Natural Health says, has limited what retailers can offer consumers. In response the association will be hosting “The Nourish Mint”--an online virtual pitch session that will allow the natural products community to network and exchange new innovations and opportunities.

The event is for brands, ingredient suppliers, distributors, and independent retailers ofSENPA, INFRA, Positively Natural and MAHO.Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of Organic & Natural Health, noted that this is something that makes “The Nourish Mint” format unique--it involves the entire supply chain.

“Our goal with ‘The Nourish Mint’ is to engage the supply chain to pitch, inspire and acquire the innovative offerings our industry is known for,” Howard said in a press release. “Given our current situation, this unique presentation platform gives raw ingredient companies the opportunity to pitch brands and quality brands the opportunity to pitch independent retailers now. We have a responsibility to consumers to bring cutting-edge health solutions to market and ‘The Nourish Mint’ will expedite this process.”

The online pitch session will mimic an actual pitch meeting that would typically take place in-person at a conference, but here the live presentations will be delivered virtually, according to the release. Presenters have three minutes to pitch their product and three minutes to answer questions from a panel of industry experts, dubbed “mintors.” Members of the audience, which will include independent retailers and other interested industry companies, can schedule private meetings with the presenting companies at a later date.

“Retailers are very interested in knowing not just about the product, but what goes into the product, where those ingredients come from and how they ultimately help the person buying it,” said Debra Short, Executive Director of SENPA, in the release. "These are important questions our retailers must answer when consumers are seeking to make purchases that involve their health. Our retailers want to meet companies in person before doing business with them, so ‘The Nourish Mint’ is a great opportunity for them to do that while we wait for industry conferences to resume.”

The first pitch sessions are scheduled for June 18 and June 25, 4-5 p.m. ET, followed by an open social with attendees. Companies interested in presenting can apply by sending pitch materials toevents@organicandnatural.org, on or before June 2. Only 20 companies will be selected to present in the two sessions. Cost to present is $300 for Organic & Natural Health members and $500 for non-members.

Independent retailers are invited to register for free, but must be members in good standing of SENPA, INFRA, Positively Natural, or MAHO. Organic & Natural Health members may also attend for free; non-members may attend for $150 per session.

For additional details and secure tickets for “The Nourish Mint,”  gohere. And here is information on a few of the other virtual opportunities you may enjoy: