Archive by Adam Andersen

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?

Having a successful Natural Products Expo West can be determined by many factors. Whether you are an exhibitor or attendee you will appreciate some of the changes we have made this year to help each and every person at Expo West enjoy their time in Anaheim. We have also come up with some tips to “Travel Smart”, an initiative we hope will help you mitigate some costs as you travel to and from Expo West this year.

Traveling smart begins with your mode. If you are flying, take advantage of low fares to the Santa Ana/Orange County airport. Try to travel in groups, or if you know someone else flying to Orange County, try to coordinate your arrival times so you can make your cab or shuttle ride cheaper-click here for the Super Shuttle discount. Also, some hotels have their own complimentary shuttles, call ahead and see if yours does.

Most airlines are charging baggage fees, so take advantage of deals like Frontier Airlines offers to package your fare with your baggage costs. Maybe your travel partner has elevated status with a certain airline and gets to check bags for free-ask them if you can use one of their allotted “freebies” for your bag. Don’t forget to travel light! It’s California in the spring, it’s typically very pleasant and heavy jackets are not required.

Besides flying, if you are driving, as many of you do, please carpool! Once in Anaheim we encourage you to drive directly to the Angels’ baseball stadium. Missing out on the busier traffic on Harbor Blvd, Katella and Convention Way, you can park your car for FREE at the baseball stadium, pick up your badge (or register on the spot) and step onto one of our comfortable shuttle buses. Take the stress out of your Expo experience and avoid the traffic.

Before you take off, make sure you pre-register online and also plan out your evening activities. The City of Anaheim has also done a fantastic job of updating their website so you can locate great restaurants easily. Also be sure to take advantage of the many free and low cost official expo events that take place in the evening. This is a great way to continue your networking, but in a more relaxed environment.

What are your plans this year for Expo West? Have you logged into your Personal Planner to see which exhibits you will visit? Hotel set? Meetings arranged? Flip flops packed?

Sloppy Joe and Chris Farley dancing together? That’s my first thought when I hear the term “Lunch Lady”. This year at Natural Products Expo West we are bringing the “Renegade Lunch Lady”, Ann Cooper.

Ann Cooper focuses on bringing healthy and sustainable options to lunch trays throughout the country. She is renowned for her work with the Berkeley, CA school district and locally here in Boulder, she has been working with the Boulder Valley School District Food Project to improve menus.

Thursday at 4:30 p.m. she will be part of the Healthy Children, Healthy Futures panel and Friday at 11 a.m. she will be walking the floor with Southern California school officials (and members of the press) who are looking to improve their menus.

Speaking of healthy and sustainable, Dr. Andrew Weil has been promoting healthy eating, lifestyles and supplements for decades. This year at Natural Products Expo West he will be a featured speaker at 1:30 on Friday, addressing The Role of Food and Supplements in Healthcare of the Future. Dr. Weil’s philosophy of disease prevention by living and eating healthy can give retailers great insight on how to market to consumers during a struggling economy and healthcare system.

Offering further insight on how to grow your business is Joel Makower, a featured speaker on Thursday at 1:00 pm this year at Natural Products Expo West. Joel is the founder of greenbiz.com and will educate attendees on how to partner your business with green trends for success.

Success at Expo West starts with great education! Be sure to come Thursday to take advantages of great education a day before the show floor opens.

Just two weeks from tomorrow, Natural Products Expo West begins, what knowledge and education session will benefit your business? Start planning your itinerary today.

I remember turning 29 (okay, it wasn’t too long ago) and seeing 30 as a huge turning point in life. At the time I had just gotten married and was settling into year two of my job at the time and my wife and I just purchased our house.

2009 marks the 29th occurrence of Natural Products Expo West, and like any 29 year old, it is still extremely youthful and strong. Expo West has an undeniable energy that brings out the best in our industry and also brings the best together.

Whether enjoying G.Love and Special Sauce, perusing the big white tent of Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace for new organic products, or joining the Organic Farm Tour or Retail Store Tour, this 29 year old has much to offer in addition to the bustling and exciting trade show floor.

Besides the official first day of education, Thursday, March 5 offers two unique opportunities for attendees, the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace and the Retail Store Tour. The store tour starts at 8 a.m. in the Hilton loading zone and returns at 1 p.m. Lunch is included and you will be able to visit some of the best natural products retailers that are so abundant in Southern California. After the tour, walk across from the Hilton to the Big White Tent in the Marriott parking lot for Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace. Preview the best in organic products before the show floor opens on Friday and network with organic thought leaders.

Friday is a full day at Expo West. Start your day with the Better Breakfast, sponsored by Silk, Cascadian Farm and Horizon. You’ll be ready to walk the show floor after a nutritious, healthy meal. After your first full day of walking the show floor, you will be ready to relax and enjoy yourself in a laid back atmosphere. If you are not familiar with G.Love and Special Sauce (is that organic sauce?), they play bluesy, upbeat music that is perfect for the natural products industry vibe. Be sure to save some energy for the dance floor and catch up with other industry members in a casual atmosphere. The music gets started at 9 p.m. in the Anaheim Marriott Marquis Ballroom.

Saturday morning at Expo West, after you’ve been up late dancing to G.Love, hit the convention center for the keynote session hosted by Peter Sagal, walk the show floor and then join the Organic Farm Tour. The Organic Farm Tour picks up in the Hilton loading zone at 12 p.m. and lunch is provided. The bus ride this year will be a quick trip to the organic farm and distribution center of Veg-Land Inc and JBJ Distributing in Fullerton. Sign up now for this event as it fills up quickly! Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with an organic farmer and other retailers.

29 and going on 30, Natural Products Expo West offers a mix of education, events and an exciting show floor that all contribute to your expo experience. What story, event or experience will define your Natural Products Expo West 2009? What plans are you making now to have the best expo in March?

The education and events of Natural Products Expo West begin just four weeks from this Thursday! So soon, yes, but there is still time to register and to plan out which education you will experience, which exhibitors with new products you will visit, and which fun events you will attend.

This year we have changed the keynote speaker format to be a panel of industry experts. Hosted by Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s “Wait, wait, don’t tell me” we are pleased to have a panel representing different roles in the supply chain to test their “Natural Knowledge”.

Also new this year is our paperless press room. We debuted this eco-friendly and waste-reducing concept successfully at Expo East this past year, and we are thrilled to bring this concept to Expo West…this is also sponsored by a brand new exhibitor, Safeway’s O Organics line. Exhibitors can still upload their press kits at www.expowest.com. We continue to look at all of the production of Natural Product Expos to see how we can reduce waste and to improve the experience of both exhibitors and attendees.

This year that experience is more important than ever, as I am sure everyone has the economy on their minds. The good news is that our industry as a whole continues to grow, and Natural Products Expo West attendance is up over this time last year, and we have over two hundred new exhibiting companies with exciting, innovative products.

So come join us in Anaheim, it’s California in the (almost) spring, network with acquaintances old and new, see new products, see great music, hear great speakers, and experience the best in natural and organic, what could be better?