;2022 NASC Annual Conference Recap

2023 NASC Annual Conference Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2023 NASC Annual Conference last month. We had 406 registered attendees—an all-time high for our conference! There were many first-time attendees, which is a testament to our continued growth, and we also were happy to see many familiar faces that have been coming to the conference for years.

First and foremost, we want to thank our generous sponsors, without whom we would not have been able to host such a high-quality event with so many thoughtful touches. Your support helps to make our conference one of the best in the industry.

Thank you also to each of our 37 speakers, who presented interesting and valuable content; our 48 exhibitors, who warmly welcomed guests and initiated important conversations; and each attendee who arrived ready to learn, collaborate, and connect. 

The NASC team is thrilled to have received a 4.5-star ranking on our post-conference survey and we appreciate everyone who took the time to weigh in. Your comments have provided excellent feedback on what you liked about the conference, and what you would like to see us do in the future.  

We are finalizing our 2024 hotel contract and in early July will be able to officially announce the location and dates for the 2024 NASC Annual Conference. Until then, please reach out with any ideas, suggestions, or feedback you may have. We enjoy hearing from you!

Sincerely,

– Bill Bookout and the NASC Team

Conference Videos and Presentations Now Available

NASC members can now access conference videos on-demand in the member area of the NASC website. Simply log in and navigate to the Membership tab, where you will select either Primary Supplier or Preferred Supplier depending on your membership type. You will find conference content under Meetings in the right-hand menu.

If you are a member but don't have a website login, click the link below for your membership type and complete the online form. Be sure to record the username and password you create, as these will be your login credentials. Once we receive your form, we will set permissions so you can log in.

• Click here for Primary Supplier form 
• Click here for Preferred Supplier form

 If you DO have a login but need a password reset, please email j.parker@nasc.cc for assistance.

Allen Gritton Re-Elected to NASC Board of Directors

Congratulations to Allen Gritton of Pharmore Ingredients, Inc. on being re-elected to the NASC Board of Directors. This will be Allen's second consecutive three-year term on the board. Throughout his first term, Allen proved himself as a thoughtful and innovative contributor of ideas and actions and through the years, even before his election to the board, Allen has been a loyal and selfless supporter of NASC. Read Allen's bio here.

We wish to thank everyone who stepped forward as a candidate. Standing for consideration before your professional peers can be intimidating, and we applaud your willingness to take on extra responsibility and serve the greater good.

Conference Attendees Raise $47,450 for Hunkapi Programs

Giving back has always been an important part of the NASC Annual Conference, and each year we partner with an established and credible nonprofit organization with a focus on animals to raise funds that will help them sustain their mission of doing good for others.

In fact, NASC member companies, individuals, and industry partners have raised almost $300,000 for animal-focused charities since 2015 through participation in the NASC annual fundraiser. 

This year was no exception as conference attendees supported Hunkapi Programs in Scottsdale, AZ, a therapeutic equestrian program that serves over 300 clients weekly from diverse populations including: 

• Children in foster care
• Veterans and first responders with PTSD
• Women with cancer diagnoses
• Domestic violence survivors and their children
• Recovering addicts
• Recently diagnosed ALS patients

Hunkapi Programs spends around $50,000 annually on supplements for their herd of 26 specially trained, retired, and rescued horses that are utilized in the Hunkapi equine therapy program. It was gratifying and moving to see NASC member companies and individuals generously support Hunkapi and essentially meet their supplementation needs for a full year.

Fundraising during our Wednesday evening welcome reception started off strong with a $25,000 contribution from SwedenCare and NaturVet. Those in attendance then went on to raise an additional $22,450 for Hunkapi Programs, reaching a grand total of $47,450!

"I want to say THANK YOU for the incredible opportunity to share at NASC," said Terra Schaad, Founder of Hunkapi Programs. "Meeting the members and suppliers and having the opportunity to share about our program and horses was such an honor. We are so grateful for your support and the financial support that came in will keep our herd rolling for 2023."

It's not too late to give to Hunkapi Programs! Donations are tax-deductible and you can learn more and donate here.

Congratulations to the 2023 NASC Award Winners! 

The final night of the NASC Annual Conference included an awards presentation that recognized several outstanding companies for their contributions to helping the NASC fulfill its mission. Congratulations to these award winners!

NASC MVP Supplier Award
Recognizes an NASC Preferred Supplier that over the past 12 months has demonstrated outstanding industry leadership and an unwavering commitment to supporting NASC and its member companies.

2023 Winner:
KND Labs

NASC Lasting Impact Award
Recognizes NASC Preferred Suppliers that over a number of years have consistently demonstrated exemplary quality and integrity in business, and have supported the mission and objectives of NASC.

2023 Winners:
Eurofins | Uckele Health & Nutrition, Inc. | Venable LLP

NASC Visibility Award
Recognizes audited NASC Primary Suppliers that actively promote their NASC membership and work to educate consumers and the industry about the credibility and importance of the NASC Quality Program.

2023 Winners:

• Animal Essentials
• Animal Necessity
• Dechra Veterinary Products
• Direct Action Company, Inc.
• Dr. Harvey's
• Earth Animal
• ElleVet Sciences LLC
• Foxden Equine, Inc.
• Grand Meadows Nutritional Products, Inc.
• Herbs for Life, Inc.
• Honest Paws
• HorseTech, Inc.
• InClover, Inc.
• Majesty's Animal Nutrition
• NaturVet
• Nutri-Pet Research, Inc./NUPRO
• Prime Performance Nutrition
• Ramard, Inc.
• Richdel, Inc.
• Silver Lining Herbs
• SOURCE, Inc.
• Uckele Health & Nutrition, Inc.
• Vets Plus, Inc.
• Vetoquinol USA, Inc.
• Wholistic Pet Organics

Keynote Will Bowen Gifts G.R.I.P.E. eBook to NASC Members

Our Thursday keynote speaker, Will Bowen, gave an engaging and inspiring talk on how to recognize the motivation behind complaints and, most importantly, how to redirect these negative complaints into positive collaboration. He shared real-world tools, tips, and practical takeaways on enacting positive change within an organization, and now he is sharing his G.R.I.P.E. ebook with all NASC members. The ebook provides a synopsis of Will's talk, as well as action items for making real change, and you can download it here.