Cape Coral, FL—Organic & Natural Health Association (O&N Health) is gearing up to host its annual conference, taking place January 23-25, 2024 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, FL. The conference is designed to optimize networking opportunities while engaging in deep and meaningful discussions on issues facing the natural products industry and the consumers it serves. Mercola, AIDP, Chr. Hansen, Simply Connect, and Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) are sponsoring the event, which is themed "Cultivating Change: A Decade of Defining Moments for People and the Planet."
The conference kicks off with 10th Anniversary Celebration to mark a milestone for the organization. "In commemorating a decade of defining moments, we are looking forward to reflecting and celebrating what we have achieved through our vitamin D consumer awareness initiatives and our advocacy for transparency and consumer choice, particularly on platforms like Amazon," said Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of O&N Health. "What truly exhilarates us is the enduring vitality of the initiatives we set in motion, each gaining momentum and exemplifying our organization's unwavering commitment to the industry. The Organic & Natural Health Association is a necessity in this sector, and has left an indelible mark. We are on fire, we are here to stay, and we will continue to shape and influence the cosmic landscape of our industry."
Major Accomplishments During O&N Health's 10 Years of Service
- Executed five award-winning advocacy and education campaigns.
- Sparked systemic change by dedicating resources to organizations such as WIN, Naturally Proud Network, and the Williams-Franklin Foundation.
- Surpassed its initial five-year commitment of $50,000 by raising more than $70,000 for the Williams-Franklin Foundation, underscoring its commitment to driving positive impact and fostering meaningful change within the natural products industry.
O&N Health Conference Topics on Day 1
- Leadership strategies for mental health in the workplace with keynote speaker Christine Burych, president of Starlingbrook Leadership Consulting and author of "Unleash Her."
- Domestic policy concerns, featuring insights from Todd Harrison (Venable LLP), Alan Lewis (Natural Grocers), and Charlie Brown (Mercury Free Dentistry).
- Health advocacy with Corinne Bush (American Nutrition Association), Rob Verkerk PhD (Alliance for Natural Health), Carrie Balkcom (American Grassfed Association), Alexis Bayden-Mayer (Organic Consumers Association), Lewis, Debra Short (SENPA), and Jim Higdon (Cornbread Hemp).
- An update on synbio research for O&N Health by John Fagan of HRI Labs.
O&N Health Conference Topics on Day 2
- Women leadership in the industry, led by O&N Health board member and WIN president Heather Granato.
- Collaborative efforts to enhance access to quality food and health solutions by Heather Isley, a board member at Natural Grocers
- International supply chain stress and standards with Lewis, Verkerk, Ercilia Sahores (Regeneration International), and Pat Smith (RFI Ingredients).
- Nurturing partnerships and growing sales, exploring the use of technology, innovation, and partnerships for a safer, more connected, and financially beneficial supply chain. Speakers include Torah Torres (Simply Connect), Sandra Lee (NJ Labs), Lewis, Ivan Khymych (SimplyDepo), Matt Fain (PopCapacity), and Derek Lurth (HealthLOQ).
- Discussion on AI and Amazon, featuring David Trosin (NSF), Asa Waldstein (Supplement Advisory Group), Ryan Sensenbrenner (Enzymedica), and moderated by O&N Health board member, and CEO of Quality of Life, Dan Lifton.
To register for O&N Health’s conference: The event is open to members. Nonmembers, media and guests may attend by invitation only. Special block room rates at the Westin must be reserved room before January 8.
