Natural Products Expo East drew more than 25,000 attendees from big box chains to independent retailers. The business-to-business event, produced by New Hope Media, was held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland, September 16-19 and was co-located with Biofach America – All Things Organic, NPA East and the Harvest Festival. Exhibiting companies, representing the natural, organic and healthy living marketplace totaled 1,363 this year. Over 400 new brands utilized Expo East as its launch into the marketplace, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the exhibitors, according to the press release.
During the show entrepreneurs had the opportunity to participate in the Natural Products Business School, a full day of learning and networking that provided in-depth solutions to common business challenges and accelerate growth potential.
Other events included education sessions, which were broken up into six themes: Natural in the Media, Ingredient Reform, “Future of” Series, Non-GMO Series, Trends & Growth Series and Conscious Leadership, as well as talks give by Essential Formulas’, Ross Pelton, R.Ph., PhD, CCN on mutli-functioning probiotic, Big T-Transparency talk given by Robert Craven, CEO at FoodState, Inc., How to E-Market Your Store as Good (or Better than) the Big Boys, by Bill Crawford, director of retail and custom at New Hope Natural Media, and more. The program also included keynote speakers: Dylan Ratigan, a sustainability entrepreneur and former MSNBC host; Joel Salatin, third generation farmer; and Michele Simon, a public health lawyer.
Trends on the show floor included up-cycled food, “Pegan” products (paleo and vegan combination, containing no dairy, grains or animal ingredients), enhanced waters (coconut, alkaline, probiotic, aloe and more), collagen products and honey.
Natural Products Expo West 2016 will return to the Anaheim Convention Center, March 9-13, 2016 in Anaheim, CA, and Natural Products Expo East 2016 is scheduled to return to the Baltimore Convention Center on September 21-24 in Baltimore, MD.
