Join us for our afternoon regulatory forum! We will be providing you with updates and information from speakers belonging to various departments and directorates within Health Canada.

Speakers from the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate will provide information on the current Self-Care products Framework, Plain Language Labelling as well as updates on other timely projects underway within the department. Next, the Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office will address their role regarding natural health products (NHPs).

After the break, we will hear from the Food Directorate about supplemented foods, Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, and mandate priorities for the regulation of food. To end the afternoon, we will hear from a representative from the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch. This session will focus on the current Compliance Monitoring Project and NHP manufacturing site visit findings, as well as some news from the recent performance NHP testing.

Attend this session to remain current on all of these important topics and find out what might be in store for the industry! As our industry continues to evolve, these sessions are a must-attend for any business in the natural health and food sector.

Please note that topics and speakers are subject to change.

Click here to register for CHFA West. Click here for the agenda.

Sponsored by:

WOW or waste: How are you spending your marketing dollars? The money, time and energy you spend should put lots of money in the bank, pull new customers through the door, and generate excitement about your store. Here are a few things you’ll learn:

• How a simple gift certificate can be used to get people excited about your store and in the door.
• A killer promotion idea that generated over $100,000 for a small independent retailer. You can use it too!
• How to get other businesses to share their customer lists with you.
• The secret to turn those pesky donation requests into money in the bank. You’re going to love this one!

You can easily double, triple or multiply by 10 the effectiveness of your efforts to get new customers by using the techniques and concepts outlined in this session.

Bob Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, is a professional retail speaker, consultant, business coach, and author. Bob motivates and trains independent retailers to improve and grow their businesses with practical, actionable tactics and strategies. He speaks to local independent business owners in their own language using real world retail experience and humorous stories from the trenches.

From quilters and crafters, gift stores, clothing boutiques, to pet supply stores, Bob’s expertise gives measurable results. As a retailer Bob turned a single kite store into an award winning multi-million dollar toy store chain. Now he uses his three decades of retail experience to help store owners and managers learn the necessary business skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.

A Conscious Brand is one that actively and intentionally nurtures positive values, relationships and experiences with all stakeholders. It values people and purpose through the same lens as profit and, in turn, works to amplify customer loyalty, innovation, differentiation, employee morale, recruitment, productivity and organizational agility.

This 90 minute interactive workshop will help you dive into building a Conscious Brand (beyond just sustainability) for your business. Limited to 60 participants, this workshop will be most valuable to ‘C’ourageous leaders who want to know the ‘T’ruth about their purpose-driven brand, owners and/or managers of supplier companies, but it will also be valuable for “sustainability champions” (maximum of two people per organization).

Catch up with colleagues and friends during the first networking break of the day. Share some laughs, experiences and stories, especially about how your business is committed to sustainability. We all have something to learn from each other. You might end up taking home some insights that could be the next big driver of your business goals.

What stands in the way of a legal market for cannabidiol (CBD) in natural health products (NHPs)?

What does current research say about the potential to use CBD as a health product? What approach are other countries taking to regulate CBD, and do we run the risk of losing Canada’s first-mover advantage on this growing market opportunity?

Join us for an informative panel that will discuss various barriers and opportunities related to a potential market for CBD in NHPs. Deepak Anand, Co-Founder and CEO of Materia Ventures, will provide an international regulatory perspective on CBD and discuss the future growth potential of CBD markets across the globe. Robert Laprairie, Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan, will address the potential therapeutic value of various cannabinoids, including CBD, and discuss the barriers that should be addressed to bring CBD to market in NHPs. If you’re at all curious about the future market for CBD, and have a question you’d like to ask one of these experts, this is a session you won’t want to miss!

Great managers know which conversations to be in with their team and when. In this session, you’ll learn about the six stages of the talent life-cycle to better manage your staff. You will leave with:

• increased awareness of the entire employee experience from before hiring them to after they leave
• new techniques to manage the hiring and onboarding process
• a fresh take on creating a talent pipeline within your organization

Matt Corker is the CEO of The Corker Co and creator of The Manager Start Line, an online training program designed to take leaders’ people management skills to the next level. He holds an MBA from the Copenhagen Business School, is a certified international yoga teacher and author, and loves sharing that extra scoop of ice cream with the love of his life.

Join Ady Floyd from Trend Hunter Inc., the world's largest, most popular trend community, as she inspects the motivations behind consumers’ purchasing behaviors, and what it means to offer a purposeful retail experience. Find out how a need for eco-consciousness, experience, and curation has changed the world of retail.

You and your team will walk away with a more customer-centric view of retail, as well as with:

• a definitive picture of the Future Retail Space
• three key areas to focus on when aiming to create the future of retail
• brainstorming questions to aid in encouraging innovation in your retail space

Ady is one of Trend Hunter's best Research Managers, advising dozens of top brands about innovation strategy, curating and customizing trend research to suit their needs. She has used her dynamic approach and multifaceted experience to run custom workshop sessions with brands like McDonald’s, SAP, Coca-Cola and Beam Suntory. She is Trend Hunter's lead keynote speaker on Innovation in Retail. To date, Ady has prepared over 500 custom research reports across all industries, for clients including: Panasonic, P&G, IMAX, MRV, Visa, Coca-Cola, Velux, Rich Products, Saatchi & Saatchi, Pier 1, Weight Watchers, McDonald's LEGO, Cirque du Solieil, Under Armour, SAP and Google.

Shoppers don’t think being green is a fad anymore. Their attitudes are changing towards recycling, reusing and reducing. Customers are increasingly asking where products come from, who made them and what they are made from.

Join Barbara to learn what it means to be a green retailer and how to run a profitable business while taking on this enormous challenge. What changes to make and at what speed? What products to keep? Which ones to replace? How to maintain best margins and even increase sales? How fast should the transition to a greener store be? Barbara will provide answers to all these questions and more.

You have a Golden Green opportunity to become a leader and catalyst for the environment right from where you and your business are. Don’t miss this session to find out how.

Barbara Crowhurst is CEO of Retail Makeover and North Americas’ Leading Retail Business Coach. She is also a writer, international speaker, trainer and retail store designer. Her comprehensive and detailed approach to retail comes from years of working in the industry. Her career has taken her from working with some of the largest corporate retail stores in North America to consulting with thousands of independent retail specialty stores. Barbara’s company is leading the way with innovative services such as retail business coaching sessions, one on one coaching and consulting by phone / Skype /FaceTime or in person. Web Design and IT services for retailers are headed by her partner Stephen Crowhurst.

Do you find yourself wondering if you require a Temporary Market Authorization Letter (TMAL) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) for your new product? Is your food novel? What about the added ingredients to flavour or sweeten your product – are they permissible in Canada?

Join us for an interactive session with the Food Directorate. During the presentation, the rules and regulations that are currently in place for foods in Canada will be discussed. Key areas of focus will include the specific requirements for novel foods, supplemented foods and food additives. Participants will learn how to classify their unique and one of kind products and what guidance and regulations they need to reference to properly bring these products to the Canadian market. Attend this session to learn more and ask your questions – this is a must-attend session for any business looking to introduce new or unique food products to the Canadian market.

Please note that topics and speakers are not final and are subject to change.

Consumers repeatedly say that one of the main reasons they shop at independent health stores is the knowledge of the staff. Whether you’ve been selling natural health products for years or are new to the industry, educating yourself on popular products and trends will give you a competitive edge. You’ll be better able to serve your customers, feel confident in the information you are sharing and set your store apart from other retail outlets in your area.

These sessions are FREE to attend with your CHFA West trade show badge, so be sure to register today!

Click here for the detailed agenda.

Are you a manufacturer looking to improve sales and better support your team? Attend a service education session offered by exhibitors who provide business services to find out what else you could be doing to make your business grow!*

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Highlight trade numbers between Canada and U.S. – USD$43 billion in two – way trade / or about $120 million worth of ag and food goods crossing the border.
• The food market in Canada is highly integrated.
• We are blessed with a sophisticated transportation network and established supply chain.
• USDA – maintains a network of TASTEUSA ag and food partners active in Canada.
• They offer trade services to Canadian ag and food companies.
• Some of these services entail helping manufacturers identify key ingredients used for their own manufacturing in Canada, or identifying new products to Canadian brokers and distributors that are new to the market.
• USDA’s partners, as the State Regional Trade Groups, Food Export, WUSATA, SUSTA made up of respective Department of Agriculture provide additional services – as taking Canadian buyers to select U.S. trade shows to meet with new processors and our partners in turn help to educate various U.S. food firms in terms of what to expect.

Evan Mangino is the Agricultural Attaché in the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy to Canada. He has been stationed at the U.S. Embassy since August of 2017 and is part of the diplomatic corps of the U.S. Government.

He is a New Jersey native and served as a Peace Corps volunteer for a few years prior to joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2007. He has served American farmers in a number of positions at USDA, and prior to arriving in Canada he was stationed in Tokyo, Japan as the Agricultural Attaché and Agricultural Trade Office Deputy Director. Evan is a graduate of Middlebury College and of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rootree aims to revolutionize the flexible packaging industry by minimizing waste, and our focus is on sustainable pouches, both recyclable and compostable. Pia will demonstrate how Rootree has cut down considerably on waste and will address their plan to convert 90% of sales to sustainable operations by 2021.

With climate change and animal extinction constantly in the news, Rootree wants to lead the way to show how companies can make a difference. We need to focus on adopting a circular economy and, by introducing sustainable options to consumers, Rootree can help make this difference.

Rootree values our clients, our families and you!

Pia Dombkowski is the head of business development at Rootree in Ontario. She has been working at Rootree for seven years and has applied her unique perspective to every aspect of Rootree’s business. Supported by ongoing research and development, Pia’s mission is to continue developing innovative sustainable solutions for the flexible packaging industry.

3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Are you taking full advantage of your CHFA Membership? Do you know there are lots of FREE perks that come with your membership that have been designed specifically for suppliers? Come to this interactive Q&A session to learn about a host of offerings including a complimentary CFIB Membership*, how you can get your products on TV and what the biggest regulatory impacts will be on your business this year.

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Learn how working with Purity Life Health Products can help to grow your brand and gain distribution across Canada. Dale and Mike’s unique experience and background will provide insights and tips on how you can effectively work through a distributor to significantly grow your brand.

Dale Simmons has over 9 years of distribution experience in Canada, primarily working to bring new brands into Purity Life. Prior to that he worked for several years in the retail sector of the natural products industry.

Mike Roberts has held several positions with Purity Life over the past 15 years giving him experience in sales, marketing, purchasing, manufacturing and operations.

*Service Education Sessions are presented or sanctioned by CHFA Member companies. The views expressed are the responsibility of the presenting company and have not been reviewed by CHFA. CHFA is not responsible for any information or material provided by a member company. Topics and speakers subject to change.

Learn five proven tips on how to use social media to increase brand recognition and build trust with customers. By increasing your brand exposure online, your product can more easily land in the baskets of loyal customers in-store. Come away with actionable items you can implement immediately to amplify your social media strategy.

Tara Clark is the CEO of Vancouver-based social media agency, Social T. She made her mark in digital marketing by consulting the food, beverage, and packaging industry on effective and efficient social media practices. With a focus on LinkedIn and Instagram for B2B, Tara is passionate about helping businesses amplify their stories online.

B Corps are companies that have attained a rigorous standard of environmental and social impact, as verified by the third-party verifier B Lab. Join Michelle Reid, Community Engagement and Activation Lead at B Lab Canada, to hear about the mission B Corps are working to achieve in using business as a force for good. There will be an overview of the community, some inspiring stories from entrepreneurs working in this space, and an outline of the process for certification - plus time for questions.

Michelle Reid supports the growth and nurturing of the B Corp movement in her role as the Community Engagement and Activation Lead for B Lab Canada, Michelle creates connections by building B Local Communities by providing resources and guidance to strengthen the B Economy. Michelle is passionate about the local economy and the impact of local purchasing, and supports organizations such as Loco BC where she sits on the Board of Directors. Michelle’s dedication to giving back to the community extends beyond her own weekly volunteer activities to include creating volunteering programs for B Corps where companies can give back to their local communities. Michelle is constantly striving to ensure that companies are using the best practices for their employees, the environment and the community they reside in and takes great pride in being able to support the redefining of success in business.

Networking is a big part of CHFA West, and we want you to get the most out of it. Use this time to learn from your peers and share your ideas with them. Find out how others are incorporating sustainability in their business. Could there be some insights that would be the differentiator for your business to stand out?

A top-notch staff is an independent retailer’s biggest competitive edge. The people on your team are face to face with your customers, either giving them an experience that brings them back or leaves them cold. A great retail staff does not happen by accident!

You will learn:

• The tricks to finding the best, most highly qualified candidate
• How to develop interview questions that separate the potential superstars from the run-of-the-mill
• How to interview skillfully
• How to consistently bring your new hires on board correctly
• And much, much more!

Bob Negen, co-founder of WhizBang! Retail Training, is a professional retail speaker, consultant, business coach, and author. Bob motivates and trains independent retailers to improve and grow their businesses with practical, actionable tactics and strategies. He speaks to local independent business owners in their own language using real world retail experience and humorous stories from the trenches.

From quilters and crafters, gift stores, clothing boutiques, to pet supply stores, Bob’s expertise gives measurable results. As a retailer Bob turned a single kite store into an award winning multi-million dollar toy store chain. Now he uses his three decades of retail experience to help store owners and managers learn the necessary business skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.

Social media and social networks are becoming vital sources for prospecting, lead generation and client engagement. In fact, a recent study of over 500 sales professionals found that 72.6% of sales professionals who used social media outperformed their peers who didn’t. This, of course, is only true if you have a solid strategy and process to use social media as a tool – not a distraction.

In this session, Shane Gibson will share with you:

• The Rules of Engagement in social media for sales professionals
• How to define and hone in on your target “nano-markets” online
• How your social graph impacts your ability to close deals and generate leads
• How to maximize your LinkedIn profile so that it attracts clients
• How becoming an expert content curator can build credibility and influence on LinkedIn
• Key social search and social media monitoring tools to find opportunities and gather business intelligence
• How tools like Hootsuite and social CRM can pull all your social networking together and make it easier and profitable to manage.

Shane Gibson is an international speaker and author who has addressed over 100,000 people on stages in North America, Southern Africa, India, Asia and South America. He is a widely sought after thought leader on the topics of social selling and digital marketing.

Shane’s books include “Sociable! How Social Media is Turning Sales and Marketing Upside Down”, “Closing Bigger: the Field Guide to Closing Bigger Deals” and “Guerrilla Social Media Marketing”, co-authored with Jay Conrad Levinson. Shane is also Canada’s only Guerrilla Marketing Master Trainer personally trained and mentored by Jay Conrad Levinson.

Blogging since 2002 and podcasting since 2004, Shane drives the majority of his business from social media. He has been published in numerous publications as an authority on the topics of leadership, marketing, social media, and sales performance. Some of these publications include CMA Magazine, the Financial Post, the Globe and Mail, and Profit Magazine. He is also a regular contributor to the Business in Vancouver digital edition.

When he’s not working or tweeting you can find Shane hiking or skiing in British Columbia’s Coast Mountain range with his family.

Launch Pad is exciting, and you know it. If you don’t, make sure you’re there this time. It’s a highlight of the show that gets the buzz going. The brightest minds of our industry compete for bragging rights as the most innovative product at the show and a cool $30,000 prize package. Whether you’re a supplier or a retailer, you want to be at Launch Pad. We’re giving gift bags to the first 50 retailers that show up. Will you be among the lucky ones? If you’re a retailer, here’s your chance to be a winner. Register before January 31 and you could be the one retailer chosen to be on the elite Launch Pad judges’ panel and we’ll top that with $200 cash!

Click here for more information on the Launch Pad contest.

Presented in partnership with:

Sponsored by:

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 CHFA Members Only. FREE

Kick off your CHFA West 2020 experience with our Welcome Reception. We invite you for some complimentary food and drinks. Come say hello to the CHFA team and let’s make some Instagram memories. You’ll be able to reconnect with colleagues and make some new friends. We hope to see you there and to celebrate with you another year at CHFA West!

 CHFA Members Only. FREE

Join the CHFA Board and staff for our Member Forum Breakfast. Before you hit the show floor, catch up with your industry colleagues and expand your network. The Member Forum Breakfast is your chance to tell us what CHFA is doing right and where we can do better to help drive your business goals. Your candid feedback is vital to framing future CHFA initiatives. CHFA President Helen Long and our Board of Directors will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We look forward to seeing you there.

Everyone working in retail -- from owners to managers to buyers -- will benefit from the opportunity to see, touch, taste and compare thousands of products. Take advantage of discounted show pricing on your favourite products, receive special incentive programs from the exhibitors and make connections you won't find anywhere else.

Join us as we celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievements of our peers. Beginning with a reception at the Pan Pacific Hotel, we’ll move into the beautiful Crystal Pavilion Ballroom to enjoy light appetizers during the awards presentation. We offer open seating to all registered participants of CHFA West, so be sure to arrive early for the most popular event of the weekend.

Everyone working in retail -- from owners to managers to buyers -- will benefit from the opportunity to see, touch, taste and compare thousands of products. Take advantage of discounted show pricing on your favourite products, receive special incentive programs from the exhibitors and make connections you won't find anywhere else.