Come May, retailers and brands are invited to join together in Cincinnati at the inaugural Nourishing Change Conference, hosted by Kroger Health and produced by Advantage Solutions.
The Nourishing Change Conference, scheduled May 13-15, aims to convene a diverse cross-section of professionals involved in retail health and healthcare to grapple with complex topics such as social determinants of health, payment, interoperability, and holistic models of preventive and chronic care among others.
Attendees will also have ample opportunity to network and collaborate with one another, breaking down silos within the industry, said Nicole LeMaire, EVP of client services for Advantage Solutions.
“At its core, this conference is an opportunity to build relationships and find solutions,” LeMaire said. “It’s about what happens after the conference — driving collaboration and innovation to build healthier communities.”
Advantage’s experiential services team produces more than 1,200 premium special events a year, including the Kroger Wellness Festival. The idea for a more expansive Nourishing Change Conference originated after a three-hour industry health summit at the 2023 Kroger Wellness Festival.
Padma Lakshmi, the celebrity culinary TV host and producer of “Top Chef” fame, headlines a robust and eclectic distinguished slate of speakers, which also includes retail health leaders, health academics, CPG entrepreneurs and more.
“Empowering communities is essential for improving health outcomes and ensuring everyone has access to making healthy choices. It requires a collective effort — from healthcare providers to retailers, policymakers and individuals,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health.
Event organizers recognize that collaboration is critical for advancing innovative solutions and driving impactful strategies that improve public health outcomes. So far, other retailers committed to attend the conference include Hy-Vee, Ahold Delhaize, Meijer and H-E-B.
While Kroger is proud to host this inaugural convening, organizers said, the content programming is inclusive of many amazing companies that are transforming the way healthcare is delivered in this country and that have the power to continue transforming the delivery.
“They’ve been very clear — it’s not about Kroger. It’s literally about Nourishing Change,” said Cynthia Oxley, senior director of event production for Advantage Solutions. “Our goal is to have different hosts and different kinds of companies come together for the greater good.”
In addition to the keynote speakers and breakout sessions, the Nourishing Change Conference will include the Advantage-curated Product Pavilion, featuring 50 emerging brands showcasing their products. A panel of industry leaders, as well as attendees, will vote on the top three brands, which stand to win distribution in up to 500 Kroger stores.
Learn more about the Nourishing Change Conference and register to attend at nourishingchange.com.
