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Green, Natural and Organic Products…Oh My!

September 13, 2010

Backer Panel Separates Marketing Hype from Tangible Benefits

Tampa, FL - Green is in! But when it comes to knowing the differences between organic, natural and conventional products, pet retailers are often as confused as their customers. At the HH Backer Christmas Show in Chicago October 8-10, key representatives from regulatory agencies, industry leading manufacturers and experts including Green Dog Naturals, The Honest Kitchen, Quality Assurance International (QAI), Wagatha’s Dog Biscuits and Animal Essentials will come together for a panel discussion to cut through the clutter and teach how to make your business truly green. The panel titled, "Going Green: What You Need to Know About Selling Natural and Organic Products” will be moderated by pet lifestyle expert Kristen Levine.

The introduction of natural and organic products has integrated and changed nearly every category in the pet retail industry.  However many retailers and pet owners alike are confused by the extensive variety of products, jargon and manufacturer claims.

The panel is slated for noon on Saturday, October 9 in room 45 and attendees will enjoy a complimentary luncheon. Anyone interested in attending can register by emailing hello@fetchingcommunications.com.

About the Panelists

• With over 20 years of experience in the natural products channel, including product development, Tom O’Leary is the Canine Wellness Advocate for Green Dog Naturals by Rainbow Light. Green Dog Naturals manufactures human grade, organic whole food supplements for dogs in the USA in its own certified organic manufacturing facility. Organic ingredients are certified by QAI. Green Dog Naturals is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), and Rainbow Light is a member of the American Botanical Council, the American Herbalists Guild, the Natural Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, and the American Herbal Products Association.
• As general manager of Quality Assurance International (QAI), Jaclyn Bowen is responsible for the operation and expansion of QAI’s certification programs and business operations, both domestic and abroad. This includes implementing new business initiatives while verifying compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) and other organic regulations. Prior to QAI Bowen worked at NSF International, QAI’s parent company,  overseeing the development and review of American National Standards on sustainability and leading the initial grassroots effort on the development of the NSF/ANSI 305 - Contains Organic Ingredients Personal Care standard. Bowen has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Public Health in Management and Policy from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Quality from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Michigan State University.
• Drawing on over 25 years of food industry experience, Norman Levitz, founder and president of Wagatha’s, previously found success in the hospitality industry through extensive experience in restaurants, large scale catering, commercial baking and being a culinary educator at Johnson & Wales University.  His entrepreneurial spirit turned his passion for food toward his four legged canine friends. Thirty years of practice and recipe testing coupled with the singular belief that feeding organic was the right path to stay on, helped to firmly plant Wagatha’s in the homes of dog lovers everywhere. Their biscuits are made from only certified organic, human quality ingredients in a licensed human grade facility.  Levitz is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has served as president of the Vermont American Culinary Federation and has spent many years cultivating “Farm to Table” relationships, which are an integral part of his food philosophy (for both people and pets).
• Lucy Postins is founder and president of The Honest Kitchen.  Postins is an innovative entrepreneur who is passionate about advanced nutrition and holistic health including complementary modalities such as herbalism and homeopathy.  Prior to founding The Honest Kitchen in 2002, Postins served as the equine and canine nutritionist for a Southern California pet food manufacturer and led the company’s marketing and product development initiatives as well.  In 2006, Postins was recognized by Petfood Industry Magazine as one of the “25 people to watch” for her efforts in creating a sound, flourishing young company with innovative products and strong, widely respected marketing initiatives. Postins holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Equine and Business Studies from Moreton Morrell College of Agriculture in Warwickshire, England.
• Greg Tilford is a well-known expert, author, consultant and teacher in the field of veterinary botanical medicine.  He is CEO and formulating herbalist for Animal Essentials which provide a full line of natural supplements for companion animals.  He is a charter member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Animal Supplements Council (NASC) and he also chairs the Animal Products Committee for the American Herbal Products Association.  In addition, he serves on Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products and is an honorary advisor to the Japan Animal Wellness Association, a new educational institution which will be the first of its kind to train international audiences of pet care professionals in the sciences and philosophies of natural veterinary medicines.  Tilford has authored dozens of published articles and five books, including the acclaimed All You Ever Wanted to Know about Herbs for Pets (Bowtie/Fancy Publications, second ed. 2009).

About Fetching Communications:

Fetching Communications, founded in Tampa, FL in 2003, is a full service marketing agency with specialties in public relations and social media outreach. Fetching focuses exclusively on veterinary, pet and animal-oriented products and services. Now representing more than 20 companies and organizations stretching from the United States to Australia, Fetching Communications has entrenched itself as a leading agency for the $47.7 billion annual pet product and pet supply industry.

Contact:

hello@fetchingcommunications.com