Innovation Exchange Proposal Rubric and FAQ

UPDATED 2025

Innovation Exchange proposals will be evaluated in two tracks: one for ingredient suppliers and one for service providers, with rubrics overviewed below. The final six selections may include any combination of these categories, depending on the submission pool.

FEES:

By submitting a proposal, you confirm your intent to participate in the “Innovation Exchange” sponsored session. Please be aware that your submission signifies a commitment to present upon acceptance, for a fee of $13,500 for CRN members ($20,000 non-members). Details regarding payment will be provided with the acceptance notification.

RUBRIC:

The CRN Innovation Exchange Steering Committee (IXSC) has developed the following criteria by which it will assess presentation proposals.

Please speak to each of the following in your submission, depending on your track:

INGREDIENT SUPPLIERS

Maturity of Scientific Evidence
Regulatory Status of Ingredient, Process, or Technology
Ability to Scale Up the Ingredient, Process, or Technology
Manufacturing Hurdles and Lead Times
Stability in various delivery formats
Intellectual Property Position
Degree of Innovation and Unique Selling Proposition

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Evidence-Based Approach
Regulatory Alignment & Compliance Support
Industry Relevance & Impact Potential
Operational Efficiency & Impact
Innovation & Advanced Methodologies
Unique Expertise & Competitive Advantage
Degree of Industry Differentiation & Uniqueness

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE

through May 14 for consideration by the steering committee

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

The venue: Will presenters be presenting on the main stage of the event, at a session, or is this a closed meeting?

Innovation Exchange presentations will take place in the same room that Science in Session is held earlier that morning, as part of CRN's signature events, Oct. 8–10, at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

The audience: Is anyone attending CRN invited to the innovation exchange or is this an invite-only event?

Anyone on site for Science in Session, WellComms (also taking place Oct. 8 in the morning) or arriving ahead of the early morning start for the main Convergence conference Oct. 9–10 (with the kickoff reception Oct. 8) will be welcome to come in (and out) of the sessions that make up the Innovation Exchange (IX) at no charge.

CRN is especially encouraging R&D, product development, marketing, innovation, and scientific affairs representatives from supplement brands to attend by presenting this at no cost to these attendees and will also have a livestream and on-demand (limited-time) options for these individuals at CRN member companies that are not on-site.

Audience size: How many participants will be attending the innovation exchange and how many of these do you estimate are from supplement brands?

Audience size will depend largely on the level of interest in the session content and speaker. CRN will be encouraging Science in Session (SiS) and WellComms morning attendees to join the Innovation Exchange session in the afternoon. The space holds about 200 people and is the same room that will be used for SiS. Attendees may participate in specific sessions or attend the entire three-hour event. In addition, CRN plans to make the presentations available on-demand for a limited time to target contacts.

What can presenters expect?

Presenters receive a tabletop booth in the hall outside of the ballroom, adjacent to event check-in/registration, that can be set up prior to the afternoon session to be up for morning attendee traffic to the Science in Session and WellComms events. Presenters are encouraged to be at their booths following the presentation as attendees transition to or from the sessions to the evening’s reception.

Innovation Exchange sponsors/presenters will have 25 minutes to present on their topic with timing closely monitored. They will also receive mentions in promotional content leading up to the event and in follow-up, such as email blasts, social media posts, and CRN’s member newsletter.