Start Date: 9/15/2026 7:45 AM PDT
End Date: 9/16/2026 7:00 PM PDT
Location:
Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
375 NE Holladay Street
Portland, OR United States 97232
Organization Name:
AHPA
Contact:
The dietary supplement and natural products industries are evolving rapidly, driven by rising demand for high-quality botanical ingredients and increasing supply chain complexity. Global trade pressures, climate impacts, regulatory shifts, and changing market expectations require resilience and innovation. At the same time, advances in science and technology are opening new pathways to validate, differentiate, and develop botanical ingredients — while cultivation, wild harvest, and stewardship remain at the heart of the industry.
Set in the City of Roses, the AHPA Botanical Congress brings the industry together to examine today's challenges and cultivate the ideas and partnerships that will shape what comes next.
Join us for the AHPA Botanical Congress in Portland, OR, where industry leaders will convene for focused discussions and practical insights on:
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Global developments in botanical safety and quality
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Leveraging science to differentiate botanicals in a competitive market
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Regulatory pressures and priorities, from tariffs to claims and ingredient pathways
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Strategies to expand and sustain domestic herb production
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The evolving realities facing the wildcrafting community
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Next-generation ingredient technologies, including precision fermentation and cell culture
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Market trends and trade dynamics shaping the industry
Gather with your peers in a place where botanicals are more than an industry — they are part of the landscape. Together, we’ll cultivate knowledge, strengthen connections, and help the industry continue to grow and thrive.
7:45 AM | Check-in & Breakfast
8:30 AM | Welcome & State of the Garden
8:55 AM | A Fireside Chat with Dr. Hellen Oketch-Rabah
In this opening session, Graham Rigby, President and CEO of AHPA, will speak with Hellen Oketch-Rabah, PhD, Deputy Director of the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about ODSP’s current priorities, leadership transition and new technologies in use at FDA, and how these changes will impact the dietary supplement industry.
Speakers:
- Dr. Hellen Oketch-Rabah, FDA ODSP
- Graham Rigby, AHPA – Moderator
10:00 AM | Money & the Marketplace
Stay informed on the business forces shaping the botanical products industry in this market trends session with Erika Craft of Nutrition Business Journal. Explore the latest data on consumer demand, category performance, and emerging market dynamics to better understand the opportunities and challenges influencing the botanical marketplace.
Speakers:
10:45 AM | Pacific Northwest Growers on Supply, Demand & Risk
Gain firsthand insights from Pacific Northwest herb growers Matt Dybala of Pacific Botanicals, Dylan Elmer of Oregon's Wild Harvest, Jeff Higley of Oshala Farm, and Danielle Kruse of Trout Lake Farm as they discuss the realities of cultivating botanicals in one of North America's most important growing regions. After brief introductions to their operations, panelists will explore the current supply and demand landscape, production challenges, emerging risks, and other issues shaping the future of domestic botanical cultivation.
Speakers:
12:15 PM | Lunch
1:15 PM | Longevity by Design: Personal Story Meets Cellular Science
In this session, Bill Rawls of Vital Plan will examine the intersection of personal experience and emerging perspectives on cellular aging. Drawing from his own health journey and the founding of Vital Plan, he will explore the biological mechanisms associated with longevity, discuss recent developments in cellular health, and consider how this evolving area is influencing botanical product development and broader conversations around aging.
Speakers:
- Dr. Bill Rawls, Vital Plan
- Graham Rigby, AHPA – Moderator
2:00 PM | From Farm to Formula Led by Women
From cultivation to finished product, this session explores the unique role botanicals play in advancing women's health. Komal Baldwa of Waleria HealthTech will discuss how female-led farming operations, responsible supply chains, and clinical science contribute to the development of high-quality botanical ingredients, while Maggie Luther of Biologica will examine the physiological foundations of women's health and the science behind developing evidence-informed botanical formulations.
Speakers:
3:15 PM | Global Developments in Botanical Safety
As regulatory scrutiny of botanical ingredients continues to evolve worldwide, the botanical products industry remains committed to the ongoing evaluation and advancement of safety. In this session, Dr. Candace Doepker of ToxStrategies and Dr. Rick Kingston of SafetyCall International will examine emerging safety data, global activities among health authorities, and scientific approaches to botanical risk assessment, while discussing how robust evidence can support sound regulatory decision-making and help guard against regulatory overreach.
Speakers:
4:15 PM | Closing & Adjournment
5:30 PM | Rose City Reception
Raise a glass to the Pacific Northwest! Join your fellow attendees for a celebratory opening night welcoming you to Portland, the City of Roses.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
7:45 AM | Check-in & Breakfast
8:30 AM | Welcome & Announcements
8:35 AM | Leveraging Science to Differentiate Botanicals
Discover how emerging scientific tools are helping distinguish botanical ingredients and finished products in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Dr. Premalatha Balachandran will explore advances in signaling pathways and biomarker discovery technologies, while Dr. Susan Hewlings of Radicle Science will discuss the role of primary clinical research in generating product-specific evidence and supporting scientific differentiation.
Speakers:
- Dr. Premalatha Balachandran, PleXignal Laboratories
- Dr. Susan Hewlings, Radicle Science
- Dr. Holly Johnson, AHPA – Moderator
9:40 AM | Regulatory Pressures & Priorities
Stay up to date on the regulatory developments shaping the botanical products industry. This roundtable will provide timely insights into federal and state policy priorities, with discussion of current issues that include tariffs, GRAS rulemaking, state regulations, and other emerging developments affecting the marketplace. This session provides a unique combination of trade association and legal regulatory perspectives, featuring Laura Shumow of ASTA, Robert Durkin of Amin Wasserman Gurnani, and Will Woodlee of Kleinfeld Kaplan & Becker.
Speakers:
11:15 AM | Networking Power Hour
Spark new connections and catch up with old friends with AHPA's Karin VanSlyke hosting the festivities! Mix and mingle with fellow attendees to expand your professional circle, exchange insights, and build lasting industry relationships.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
12:15 PM | Lunch
1:15 PM | Tending the Wild: Ethics & Adaptation in Modern Wildcrafting
Wildcrafted botanicals play an important role in the global botanical supply chain, making responsible stewardship more important than ever. In this session, a multigenerational Pacific Northwest wildcrafter, Asher Adesse of EarthWays Herbals, and Sarah Vito of FairWild Foundation will explore the ethical, ecological, and economic considerations shaping modern wildcrafting, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for ensuring sustainable harvests and resilient wild plant populations.
Speakers:
2:30 PM | Next Generation Ingredient Technologies
Explore the emerging technologies that are reshaping botanical ingredient development. Featuring Anthony Pavel of Keller & Heckman, Jacob Lang of Krokos Bio, and Simão Soares of SilicoLife, this session will introduce the science behind cell culture and precision fermentation, examine their potential applications within the botanical products industry, and discuss the evolving regulatory landscape, including recent FDA engagement and considerations for this new class of ingredients.
Speakers:
3:45 PM | Closing & Adjournment
4:15 PM | Herb Walk
Step into the vibrant botanical diversity of the region on a guided herb walk at the Hoyt Arboretum, spanning 190 ridge-top acres and home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents. Led by esteemed herbalists Howie Brounstein (Columbines School of Botanical Studies), Missy Rohs
(Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies), and Steven Yeager
(Mountain Rose Herbs), this unique experience offers the opportunity to learn about local medicinal herbs and their uses while exploring nature firsthand. Transportation provided.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
*Agenda subject to change.
Dr. Premalatha Balachandran
PleXignal Laboratories
Amber Bennett
AHPA
Alexis Durham
AHPA
Dr. Holly Johnson
AHPA
Robert Marriott
AHPA
Graham Rigby
AHPA
Jane Wilson
AHPA
Select an activity below to view more details.
Pre-Congress ERB Lovers' Dinner | Monday, September 14
A benefit for the AHPA ERB
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) foundation established to promote education and research on medicinal, therapeutic, and health-promoting herbs.
Separate registration required. Space is limited; get your tickets.
Rose City Reception | Tuesday, September 15
Raise a glass to the Pacific Northwest! Join your fellow attendees for a celebratory opening night welcoming you to Portland, the City of Roses.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
Networking Power Hour | Wednesday, September 16
Spark new connections and catch up with old friends with AHPA's Karin VanSlyke hosting the festivities! Mix and mingle with fellow attendees to expand your professional circle, exchange insights, and build lasting industry relationships.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
Herb Walk | Wednesday, September 16
Step into the vibrant botanical diversity of the region on a guided herb walk at the Hoyt Arboretum, spanning 190 ridge-top acres and home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents. Led by esteemed herbalists Howie Brounstein (Columbines School of Botanical Studies), Missy Rohs
(Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies), and Steven Yeager
(Mountain Rose Herbs), this unique experience offers the opportunity to learn about local medicinal herbs and their uses while exploring nature firsthand. Transportation provided.
Included with Botanical Congress registration.
Post-Congress Behind the Scenes at Mountain Rose Herbs | Thursday, September 17
Go behind the scenes at Mountain Rose Herbs, a longtime AHPA member whose leadership in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and industry engagement has earned numerous awards and recognition. Join an exclusive facility tour of the headquarters and production campus in Eugene, including the warehouse, quality labs, packaging operations, and production lines. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Mountain Rose Herbs facility. Lunch will be provided.
Separate registration required. Space is limited; get your tickets.
The 2026 Botanical Congress is brought to you with the generous support of:
With special event contributions from:
The Botanical Congress will be held at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention
Center, located on the vibrant eastside just across the river from downtown.
Botanical Congress sessions will take place on the first floor of the hotel in the Deschutes Ballroom.
AHPA has secured a limited room block at the hotel for the Botanical Congress.
The link to book a reservation at the group rate, based on availability, will be included in your registration confirmation email. The deadline to book a room at the group rate is August 24, 2026.
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Registration starts at $599 for AHPA members; rates are based on membership dues tier.
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Registration for non-members starts at $799.
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Group discounts are available. Please contact Alexis Durham at
alexis@ahpa.org for more information.
