Archive for March, 2009

Thank you to all of the attendees, exhibitors, speakers, press and vendors who helped make Natural Products Expo West a great success this year.

The economy was top of mind for everyone coming into the show, but as many retailers and exhibitors mentioned, for three days it felt like there was no recession…just the booming natural products industry continuing to grow.

And grow we have, this year we reached a total attendance of over 53,000, a remarkable achievement as a show but also for our community. Every year we gather in Anaheim and Boston for the Natural Products Expos to form new partnerships and relationships, to seek out new and promote new products, but most importantly, share ideas and best practices on how to collectively make our industry succeed.

Thank you again for making this year’s show a success and we look forward to seeing you in Boston! Be well and I will turn over the blogging to our Expo East team for now.

This morning came all too soon after a great Friday evening dancing to the tunes of G.Love and Special Sauce. It didn’t matter how I felt once the show floor and education began at Natural Products Expo West 2009…people were again waiting to enter the halls with great anticipation of new products and vendors.

One more day to see new products, catch up with former colleagues, network, learn, write orders, and do business at Natural Products Expo West 2009. Catch up with what happened today by subscribing to the new Show Daily from our own Natural Foods Merchandiser.

As we enter into our last day, it’s time to reflect on what you have achieved for your business at Expo West and see what else you can accomplish tomorrow. As an industry, we have achieved a much needed gathering that will help each individual and business attending Natural Products Expo West 2009.

Did you see the keynote this morning? What were the hottest products you saw on the show floor this year? What do you think are the hottest trends…is it acai enhanced products? Gluten free? Let me know your favorite product or products.

While yesterday marked the official opening day of education and events for Natural Products Expo West, today is traditionally the busiest day, as the trade show floor opens, with access to over 300,000 square feet of booths and hundreds of new products and services. With more buyers here than ever, the time is now to advance natural and organic products and rejuvenate our economy with healthy options and bottom lines.

It’s also Friday, so why not end the week by being with your colleagues and peers in the natural products industry. Yesterday the education and events were outstanding, Joel Makower of Greenbiz.com delivered an intriguing presentation on greening efforts and moving those beyond just efforts into results. 5,000 days, that is what Joel says that we have remaining to turn things around.

Event highlights yesterday included the Organic Farming Research Foundation Luncheon, which was brimming with the top leaders and stakeholders in the Organic industry. Many of them will continue those same discussions at the Organic Summit this summer in Skamania, WA.

Speaking of Organic, the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, was absolutely brimming with people taking advantage of the California sunshine.

The day ended with the always wonderful International Welcome Reception. The theme country this year was India, and it was complete with wonderful curries and a sitar player.

What are your plans for today? Will you be arriving early for the Better Breakfast? It’s a great way to get a start on the show and cause to get here early to take advantage of Priority Parking!

See you on the show floor at Natural Products Expo West 2009…and at tonight’s Live Music Party with G.Love and Special Sauce!

Two days to go until the education and events of Natural Products Expo West 2009 begin. Yesterday we had our official “pre-con” meetings with our vendors, city officials and hotels. The city of Anaheim and our partners here embrace Natural Products Expo West every year, and we as an industry have found it a great place to continue to build community. So come join us this year, as it is more important than ever to keep our industry thriving.

If your flight has been delayed by the East coast weather, do not be deterred! The sunny California weather awaits you, as well as hundreds of new products, new opportunities and new partnerships. I have always heard great stories from friends and colleagues of their journey to Expo. What are some of yours? What are you looking forward to most at this year’s Natural Products Expo West?