Meeting a Supplement Contract Manufacturer at SupplySide Global
SupplySide Global is one of the few places where you can talk with a dozen potential manufacturing partners in a single afternoon. It is also where a lot of good intentions go to die: a packed show floor, back-to-back conversations, and a bag full of brochures that all start to sound the same by day two.
If you are looking for a supplement contract manufacturer, whether for a first SKU, a reformulation, or a switch from your current partner, the difference between a useful booth visit and a forgettable one is preparation. A focused 15-minute conversation can tell you more about fit than weeks of email.
Here is how to get the most out of manufacturer meetings at SupplySide Global 2026, including what to bring, what to ask, and how to turn show-floor conversations into real quotes.
Icelandirect will be in the expo hall October 28–30 at Booth #7525 in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Clearly Define Your Project & Its Scope
Manufacturers can give you much better answers when they know where you are starting. Before the show, write down a one-page project summary that covers:
- Project stage: new brand, new SKU, line extension, reformulation, or switching manufacturers.
- Target format: softgel, gummy, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid, plus any alternates you would consider.
- First-run and ongoing volume: a realistic opening order and where you expect to be in 12 months.
- Packaging: bottles, tubs, pouches, stick packs, or sachets, and whether you need filling and packaging handled by the same partner.
- Market requirements: certifications or programs your retailers or channels expect, such as organic or GMP certification.
- Timeline: your target launch window and any fixed dates, like a retailer reset.
You do not need every answer. Knowing which ones are still open is useful information for a manufacturer too.
What to Bring to a Manufacturer Meeting
Keep it light enough to carry but specific enough to start a real conversation:
- Your formula or concept: a draft supplement facts panel, an ingredient list, or a short description of what the product needs to do for your brand.
- A reference product: if you are reformulating or switching, bring your current product or its label so the team can see format, size, and packaging.
- Volume estimates: even rough numbers help a manufacturer tell you whether you fit their minimums and capacity.
- Your questions: written down, so the conversation covers what matters to you, not just the booth pitch.
- An NDA if needed: if you plan to share proprietary formula details, have one ready to send so follow-up can move quickly.
Questions to Ask a Supplement Contract Manufacturer
Use this checklist to compare partners on the same terms. The goal is not to grill anyone, but to hear specific answers instead of general ones.
- Which dosage forms do you run in-house, and which do you outsource?
- What are your minimum order quantities for my format and packaging?
- Who will I work with day to day, and how easy is it to reach decision makers?
- What does your development process look like from concept to first production run?
- Which certifications do you hold, and which facilities do they cover?
- How do you handle quality testing on raw materials, in-process, and finished product?
- Can you handle filling and packaging under the same roof?
- How quickly can you turn around a quote once I send a formula?
Strong partners tend to answer these clearly, tell you what they do not do, and explain the tradeoffs of different formats or packaging options instead of agreeing to everything.
After the Show: Turn Conversations into Quotes
Most of the value of a trade show shows up in the two weeks after it. A few habits make follow-up far more productive:
- Follow up within a week while the conversation is fresh on both sides.
- Send the same project brief to every manufacturer so quotes are built on the same assumptions.
- Compare quotes line by line: format, count per bottle, packaging components, testing, and any development costs.
- Ask for a call with the people you would actually work with, not just the sales contact you met at the booth.
How Icelandirect Helps
Icelandirect is a U.S.-based CDMO for dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and pet health brands. We take products from concept to launch to scale, with ingredient sourcing through finished packaging under one roof.
- End-to-end services: product development, custom formulation, contract manufacturing, private label, packaging and filling, and QA/QC.
- Format flexibility: softgels, gummies, capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, and emulsions.
- Low MOQs: starting at 1,000 units, so emerging brands can launch without overcommitting.
- Capacity to grow with you: 250,000+ sq. ft. of combined manufacturing space across two New Jersey facilities in Clifton and Middlesex.
- Quality you can document: FDA Registered, NSF GMP, GRMA, SSCI, FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, USDA Organic, Iceland Responsible, and Iceland Premium.
- Marine lipid expertise since 2010, plus human and pet supplement manufacturing with one partner.
- Direct access to leadership and fast quote turnaround.
Visit Us at Booth #7525
- Booth: #7525
- Expo hall: October 28–30, 2026
- Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
We will have a large team on the floor, including:
Brandon Miller | Cheryl Pasiut | Nicholas Leonte
Andre Melo | David Newman | Nina Marcella
Stanley Zolek | Mark Schleif | Chirag Varaiya
Anna Baraboi | Debbie Morales | Shariny Lantigua
There will always be someone ready to talk development, formulation, format, packaging, and timeline. Bring your concept, your formula, or just your questions.
Can’t make it to Las Vegas?
Explore our Contract Manufacturing and Private Label services or view our manufacturing certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is SupplySide Global 2026?
The SupplySide Global 2026 expo hall runs October 28–30 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Icelandirect is exhibiting at Booth #7525. - What should I bring to a meeting with a supplement manufacturer?
Bring a short project brief, your formula or concept, a reference product if you have one, realistic volume estimates, and a written list of questions. If you plan to share proprietary details, have an NDA ready. - What is the minimum order quantity for private label supplements?
It varies by manufacturer, format, and packaging. At Icelandirect, MOQs start at 1,000 units. - Can one manufacturer produce both human and pet supplements?
Yes. Icelandirect manufactures for dietary supplement, nutraceutical, and pet health brands, so brands with both lines can work with a single partner.