In the midst of a dynamic year in the direct selling industry, business leaders, advertising experts, and salesforce members will convene at the 2021 Direct Selling Summit to discuss the biggest advertising and marketing challenges faced by direct selling companies and their salesforce members over the last year. Attendees will learn critical tips and best practices for building brand strength, increasing consumer trust, and staying compliant in the year ahead.

 

Increasing Consumer Trust


Agenda


Tuesday, July 27

Welcome to the Direct Selling Summit  

1:00pm – 1:10pm ET

Speakers:           

  • Peter C. Marinello – Vice President, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council, BBB National Programs 
  • Eric D. Reicin – President & CEO, BBB National Programs 

 


Between the Lines: Keeping Clear of Legal Trouble  It is important to understand

1:10pm – 1:55pm ET

It is important to understand and stay up to date on the legal challenges direct selling companies and their salesforce members face regarding how their product claims and business opportunity claims are disseminated. Topics will include Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement priorities, the use of disclosures for product and earnings claims, the utility of company income disclosure statements, and the appropriate presentation of company incentives and rewards.    

Speakers:  

  • John Villafranco – Partner, Kelley Drye (moderator) 
  • Bernadette Chala – Chief Legal Officer, Arbonne International LLC 
  • Linda Goldstein – Partner, BakerHostetler 
  • Kerry Tassopoulos - Of Counsel, GrayRobinson, P.A.

 


 

Partnering for Success: Working Together to  Educate and Empower

1:55pm – 2:40pm ET  

At a direct selling company, the relationship between legal and compliance teams is critical. This panel will discuss how to properly prioritize compliance matters, the use of a direct selling company’s monitoring of its salesforce, disciplinary processes for salesforce members, how compliance is communicated to salesforce members located outside of the United States, and the distinction of using compliance as a weapon versus a teaching tool.   

Speakers:  

  • Howard Smith – Attorney, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (moderator)  
  • Brian Muir – Vice President, Global Compliance Officer, Nu Skin Enterprises  
  • Alissa Neufeld – General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, LifeVantage Corporation  
  • Jemima Wechsler – Group Vice President, Compliance, Team Beachbody

 


 

BREAK

2:40pm – 2:45pm ET 

 


 

On the Record with the FTC

2:45pm – 3:10pm ET            

What does the change in administration mean for the FTC and what, if any, ramifications will it have on the direct selling Industry? In this Q&A with BBB National Program’s Mary Engle, learn more about new initiatives at the FTC and how the continued growth of direct selling has impacted the FTC’s perspective on providing regulatory guidance to the industry.     

Speakers:  

  • Mary Engle – Executive Vice President, Policy, BBB National Programs (moderator)
  • Beth Delaney – Attorney Advisor for FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

 


 

Salesforce Best Practices – Strengthening the  Branches

3:10pm – 3:55pm ET         

Because of the limitations on in-person, social engagement over the past year, direct selling salesforce members have faced many challenges in the marketing of products and services. This panel will discuss some of those challenges and how salesforce members have overcome these impediments. The discussion will also include best practices for communication between sales leaders and their downline sales team, as well as the effective and appropriate use of social media platforms to market products, create brand awareness, and share personal experiences about the direct selling opportunity.     

Speakers:  

  • Michelle Leveque – Senior Litigation Counsel, Amway (moderator)  
  • Naisha Covarrubias – Managing Counsel, Legal Resources, Mary Kay Inc.  
  • Jon Jackman – Vice President, Legal Advertising, Herbalife Nutrition   
  • Dan Whitney – Executive Director of Compliance and Int. Development at USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

 


 

Closing Remarks  

3:55pm – 4:00pm ET 

Speakers:  

  • Peter C. Marinello – Vice President, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council, BBB National Programs