Natural Products Expo West Draws Record Attendance

The 33rd annual Natural Products Expo West topped both exhibitor and attendee records this year, drawing more than 63,000 industry members and 2,428 exhibiting companies to the Anaheim Convention Center March 7-10.

The Expo showcased new natural and organic product launches, and provided the definitive community platform for brands, retailers and influencers in the natural, organic and healthy living sector.

“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. “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.”

Highlights of the event included Whole Foods Market unveiling its commitment to full genetically-modified organism (GMO) transparency by 2018; and the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) urging a majority of its suppliers to follow the guidelines set forth by the “Just Label It” initiative.

“The fact that so many of the brands advocating for this call-to-action exhibit at the show and are in retail stores such as Whole Foods, as well as the co-ops that serve communities nationwide, demonstrates Expo West’s critical mass to push this campaign forward,” said Fred Linder, president of New Hope Natural Media, the agency that produced the event.

The event provided a unique view into the forces and product trends fueling the growth of the global natural products industry in every category, including food, beverage, supplements, beauty, household and pet products.