Natural Products Expo West Scores Record Attendance, Exhibitors

March 10, 2013

The natural and organic products industry continues to boom, as evidenced by Penton Media’s record-breaking show, Natural Products Expo West, held March 7-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

More than 63,000 attendees were able to check out the latest natural and organic products ranging from veggie burgers to lip balm being offered by 2,428 exhibitors spread out on a 393,000 net square foot showfloor.

Last year’s show drew approximately 60,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors.

“You truly had to be present at this year’s event to experience the energy felt on the show floor and throughout Anaheim,” said Adam Andersen, show director for Natural Products Expo West.

He added of the newly opened Grand Plaza at the Anaheim CC, “The Grand Plaza at the convention center became the natural products community’s living room for four days and is where we celebrated the industry’s continued success.”  

The show was collocated with Engredea and Nutracon, an event for the ingredient and supply chain.

Big news at this year’s show was natural and organic products supermarket chain, Whole Foods Market, commitment to full genetically-modified organism (GMO) transparency by 2018. 

“This compelling news is an important next step for the industry, possible legislation and ultimately consumers,” said Fred Linder, president of New Hope Natural Media. 

Entrepreneurs also had the ability to show off what they had to offer with the new NEXT Natural Products Industry Accelerator program.

“The NEXT Accelerator provides the information, tools, community and connections needed to cultivate the next generation of natural products entrepreneurs,” Andersen added.

There were several overall trends that continued to grow at this year’s show, including gluten- and allergen-free products, sprouted foods, healthy snacks, non-dairy alternatives, vegan and paleo offerings and healthier, cleaner kids’ products.

“The natural and organic market is at the center of many of the most important and positive changes happening in food, nutrition and wellness,” said Carlotta Mast, senior director of Content and Insights for New Hope Natural Media and editor-in-chief, Natural Foods Merchandiser, newhope360.com.

She added, “We face significant lifestyle-related health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mood disorders, and many of the solutions to these problems were on display at Natural Products Expo West.”

Natural Products Expo West is produced through Penton’s New Hope Natural Media division.

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