The CBD Global Summit, to be held in London in March 2020, will combine the latest insight from the worlds of science, regulation and business to explore the new frontier in innovation being opened by the march of cannabinoids.
This must-attend event is brought to you by William Reed Business Media, the publisher behind FoodNavigator, NutraIngredients, CosmeticsDesign and The Grocer. The line-up of speakers has just been confirmed and registration is now open.
Categories and consumers
Over the course of two days, we will hear detailed insights into the ‘CBD consumer’ to help develop a shopper-centric approach to the space. What benefits are consumers looking for from this star ingredient? What formats and innovations are best placed to meet these needs?
In a series of ‘category focus’ panels, the up-and-coming brands making waves in CBD will profile the ingredient’s prospects in sectors ranging from soft drinks to snacks, sports nutrition and beauty.
We will also be joined by retailers taking a lead in the emergent CBD space to hear what they want from their suppliers and what they believe CBD delivers to their shoppers.
Pulling no punches: CBD challenges in the spotlight
For all the excitement, CBD still faces some significant hurdles. Foremost among these is the challenging regulatory landscape.
Legal and regulatory experts will be joining the event to outline the current state of play. A series of hard-hitting presentations and panels will focus on the path to full compliance.
Elsewhere, CBD has been hailed as something of a ‘cure all’ ingredient, linked to health benefits as diverse as gut health and anxiety reduction. Positive health outcomes are a key driver of CBD’s mounting popularity – but these associations could also present something of a risk.
To maintain consumer confidence, it is vital that such claims are rooted in sound science. The CBD Global Summit will therefore be probing the science behind CBD and asking exactly what claims are credible and where further investigation is needed.
Such a high-growth category will also be tested by supply chain issues. Rapid growth, regulatory uncertainty and patchy enforcement have opened the CBD space to risks associated with poor quality and, potentially, consumer safety.
If the burgeoning sector is to avoid backlash, the need for transparent supply chains and strict quality control is pressing.
‘A voice of reason’
Answering these challenges will enable innovators from across the food, beverage, nutraceutical and cosmetics space to stay at the forefront of innovation.
This vision underpins the CBD Global Summit, which aims to cut through the noise to assess challenges and opportunities.
“We’ve been covering CBD extensively in recent years through our various media channels at William Reed, not least on FoodNavigator. Amid all the hype we feel the sector needs a voice of reason. We’re keen to remain that voice by hosting an event that takes a responsible look at all potential opportunities and challenges,” Graham Twyford, William Reed Business Media Executive Director, explained.
“By tackling science, business, regulation and the supply chain on a global and multi-industry level we aim to provide education and guidance in a vibrant, networking-friendly setting."
Leading voices confirmed for the event include:
- Tanja Bagar, CEO and Chairman, Expert Council of the International Institute for Cannabinoids
- Al Overton, Buying Director, Planet Organic
- Paul McCourt, CEO and founder, Celtic Wind
- Brian Sylvester, Special Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP
- Mark Germaine, Performance Nutritionist and Researcher, Dublin City University
- Rebekah Hall, CEO and founder, Botanic Lab
- Alex Lai, CEO and co-founder, Raylex Brands
- Dr Colin Morgan, Business Development Director, ADAS