Naturally Network at SupplySide West 2024
SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America is the premier gathering of health & nutrition professionals bringing together buyers and suppliers from throughout the industry. SupplySide West events are all about the science and strategy around developing finished products driving the global business economy. This year was memorable for our hosted buyers, members, partners, and supporters.
A Partnership Built to Empower Emerging Brands
“Naturally Network has partnered with SupplySide for the last 3 years to create greater access to key CPG business foundations for the brands we serve,” shared Katrina Tolentino, Executive Director. “We have now brought 40 emerging brands to the show through the Hosted Buyer Program. SupplySide offers brands opportunities to find ingredient and product development partners, expand manufacturing, connect with packaging solutions, and gain insights from the scientific community.”
Karin VanSlyke of SupplySide added, “We are so proud of our partnership with Naturally Network. Their commitment to elevating emerging CPGs and enhancing our Hosted Buyer Program is inspiring. Working together to connect these brands with industry leaders has been rewarding.”
Hosted Buyer Experiences
The Hosted Buyer Program provided scholarships that included airfare, hotel stipends, complimentary badges, and access to exclusive events. The impact of these resources was reflected in the experiences shared by our participants.
Kai Lim of Reprise shared, “I attended SupplySide West to explore trends in the supplements space—essential for Reprise's product pipeline. From educational sessions to the show floor, I gained clarity on our focus areas. With Naturally Network’s Hosted Buyer Program, I also connected with inspiring founders and industry groups, including the Non-GMO Project, which I’d been eager to learn more about.”
Lexx Mills from SipRevvl described their experience: “SupplySide West was an awesome opportunity to connect with commercial ingredient suppliers as we prepare to scale. A big highlight was learning best practices for working with co-manufacturers and having 1:1 and small group conversations with them. I walked away feeling energized and excited to start our co-man search.”
Meet all the Hosted Buyers
The McCormick Flavor Solutions Happy Hour
A highlight of our programming at SupplySide West was the McCormick Flavor Solutions Happy Hour, which brought together emerging brands, industry leaders, and our hosted buyers in an intimate setting. Olivia Sullivan from Naturally Network shared: “The McCormick Happy Hour was hands-down one of my favorite moments at SupplySide! It set the perfect tone for the show, allowing everyone to meet, mingle, and establish connections before diving into an action-packed two days.”
Building Community at SupplySide West
Connecting with partners and community members is always a highlight of any industry event, and SupplySide West 2024 was no exception. Our Naturally Network booth served as a welcoming hub for networking, providing attendees a space to connect amid the event’s fast pace.
"Our booth was buzzing with energy, showcasing an incredible lineup of our partners like rePurpose, McCormick Flavor Solutions, PartnerSlate, and BeyondBrands. It was inspiring to see so many people drawn to each of our partners for unique reasons. It was so exciting to see our vibrant community come together offering a safe space for hosted buyers to relax, reflect, and connect. It was the perfect microcosm of what the Naturally community looks like across the country. Community coming together to support some amazing brands." Julia Relova, Naturally Network
Debi Goldman of Naturally Network summed it up: “It’s incredible to see how much our community has grown. Events like SupplySide West offer valuable face-to-face connections for our 45,000-strong network. Our booth reminds me just how vibrant and supportive our network is. It warms my heart to witness the energy and collaboration that keep us moving forward together!”
Looking Ahead: SupplySide Fresh Scholarship Opportunities
In partnership with SupplySide, we are excited to offer two scholarships, one for SupplySide Fresh Supplements, and one for SupplySide Fresh Food & Beverage.
These scholarships are designed to support newcomers to the industry and emerging brands by providing access to SupplySide Fresh, an educational program led by industry experts that also offers networking opportunities (a single course, in partnership with Sonoran University, is normally $299). Learn more and apply today, applications close December 20th.
Events like SupplySide West are a testament to the power of collaboration and connection. The dedication of our partners and the enthusiasm of our hosted buyers keep us committed to fostering growth and impact year after year. A heartfelt thank you to SupplySide Network for their generous support and for enabling our team and emerging brands to be part of this inspiring event.