Natural Products Expo West Shows How to do Business Naturally
March 11, 2014
From its humble beginnings 34 years ago of only 200 booths, the 2014 Natural Products Expo West show saw its largest numbers to date.
More than 65,000 attendees visited 2,600-plus exhibits and just over 415,000 square foot of showfloor space at a convention center that embraces sustainability.
“The Anaheim Convention Center has been an incredible partner for us,” said Adam Andersen, group show director, New Hope Natural Media.
He added, “There has been great investment in sustainability by the convention center, from being LEED-certified to the planned installation of solar panels, to using compostable utensils and collecting bio kitchen waste. It has allowed us to walk our own talk as well as demonstrate you can have a green show that thrives. The proof is in the attendance and we could not be more pleased.”
Natural Products Expo West ran from March 6-9 and the hot topics included GMO labeling, food accessibility and food that is both convenient and healthy.
“There is a lot of focus on how to speak to, and reach, consumers for healthy eating and living,” Andersen said.
He added, “This is a key focus for both large and small businesses – working on food labeling to provide information consumers need to make healthy choices.”
First-time attendee Sara Arscott, Ph.D., manager of Clinical Research at Standard Process, had her assignment for the show.
“My first priority has been to take in the show information, both from the exhibits and the educational sessions,” she said. “With so much information and engagement, it can seem overwhelming, but I am excited to immerse myself and soak in all the show has to offer.”
Attendee Feather Jones, owner of Sedona Tea Blends and docent on the Herbal Tour Walk, said, “The show to me is so critical, as it provides information and experts from plant to plate. I appreciate the opportunity to come out to the Fullerton Arboretum with attendees to educate them and see that conversation continued throughout the show.”
A new feature at the show was the “Pitch Slam”, where nearly 300 entrepreneurs participated in pitching their products “Shark Tank” style to industry leaders and companies. These smaller companies rose to the challenge with products and marketing that matched larger and more mature companies in terms of sophistication.
For many of these entrepreneurs, Natural Products Expo West was the clear choice to launch their product.
Exhibitors and owners of Modern Table Meals, Jennifer Eiseman and Gulbin Hoeberechts, said, “For our company and product launch, we knew this show was the place to do it. We have been able to meet with consumers, distributors, grocery channels, and press, all in one place. This has been a great experience for us.”
Natural Products Expo West 2015 will be held March 6-9 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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