Natural Products Expo West 2024 is the largest trade show featuring natural, organic, and specialty products, from food to packaging, CBD, health products, and more. Food trends and innovative new products make their debut here. Education tracks are top-notch, with plenty of extra events and exhibitions, from early morning yoga to concerts after a long day in the showroom. Expo West fosters a powerful sense of community among like-minded professionals. This is THE place to be. However, this is not open to the public and is meant for people in the trade only.
Having attended Natural Products Expo West for several years now, I’ve learned quite a lot. My experiences have been wild, frantic, chaotic, inspiring, and a wonderful learning experience that keeps me coming back for more. For anyone attending for the first time, there’s quite a bit of good information and anecdotes in here. For veterans, I hope there are a few new tidbits to inspire you for the next Expo West.
Table of Contents
Are you a brand exhibiting at Expo West 2023?
Shoot me an email, and we can coordinate a media kit and sample exchange. These are some Expo West brands I’ve worked on Influencer/content creation campaigns with:
- Alter Eco
- Brooklyn Crafted
- Bubbies Pickles
- Clif Bar & Company
- Fresh Cravings
- Harmless Harvest
- Loma Linda
- Melt Organic
- Raised and Rooted
- Tohkin Food
- Waterloo
- Wholly Guacamole
Expo West 2024 Agenda and Events
Education & Events
March 12-16, 2023
Tradeshow
ACC North Halls & Level 3 – March 8-10, 2023
ACC Halls A-E, Arena – March 9-11, 2023
Virtual Extensions start February 15 and run through March 2024.
At Natural Products Expo West 2024, attendees will have the opportunity to engage deeply with industry leaders on complex topics, immerse themselves in innovative breakthroughs, and propel the natural and organic movement forward. This event stands as a pivotal gathering for our sector, featuring dynamic educational sessions, networking opportunities rooted in community, and events you won’t want to miss. Here’s a structured overview of the key events, organized to enhance your understanding and anticipation:
Climate Day
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Overview: Engage with pioneering leaders during Climate Day to acquire the necessary information, inspiration, and community support to undertake significant climate initiatives. The day will focus on critical action areas for the natural products industry in 2024, aiding businesses in initiating or advancing their climate journey.
Natural Products Business School
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Details: This expert-led curriculum, presented by New Hope Network and TIG, covers essential topics from expanding retail distribution to securing intelligent funding. Attendees will benefit from a day filled with interactive brand-building content and tailored connections. Additionally, access to three digital workshops and on-demand Expo West Business School content will be available post-event. Note: This is a paid program, requiring a $150 fee as part of the Expo West registration.
Natural Products Expo West Pitch Slam
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Description: The Pitch Slam highlights mission-driven, innovative brands by providing them with the exposure and resources needed for growth. Attend this exhilarating event to listen to pitches from emerging brands and engage in Q&A sessions with expert panelists.
Keynote: The State of Natural & Organic
- Date & Time: Wednesday, March 13, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Insight: This session, packed with data, will spotlight industry trends and consumer insights, with a special focus on Gen-Z shoppers. Gain the knowledge necessary to empower your business in 2024, leaving you informed, inspired, and ready to drive prosperity and positive impact.
Keynote: Chef Sean Sherman
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 14, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Background: Chef Sean Sherman, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, dedicates his efforts to the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous food systems in North America. Recognized as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023, he is a James Beard Award-winning author and the founder of Minnesota’s first full-service Indigenous restaurant, Owamni.
Keynote: Jay Shetty
- Date & Time: Friday, March 15, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Session: Join global bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, and entrepreneur Jay Shetty for a keynote conversation. Discover new strategies for navigating the fast-paced digital world and reinforce your commitment to innovation and purpose.
Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery, connection, and empowerment at Expo West 2024, where the future of the natural and organic movement awaits.
Events
Climate Day 2024
Climate Day 2024 at the Natural Products Expo West, scheduled for March 12th, 2024, stands as a pivotal event for those committed to reversing climate change within the natural products industry. An all-day affair, fast-paced sessions fill the agenda on all things climate policy related. This has always been one of my favorite aspects of Expo West, as Climate Day is incredibly inspiring and rewarding to attend.
Inspirational keynotes, networking with people doing very cool things, and the opportunity to communicate and share ideas on making a real impact in the world.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the agenda, crafted to offer insights and opportunities for attendees to engage actively in climate initiatives:
Morning Sessions
- 7:50 AM – 8:05 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Courtney Pineau and Corinne Shindelar from the Climate Collaborative set the stage for the day’s events.
- 8:05 AM – 8:45 AM: The Time Is Now: Building a Climate Action Movement
- Moderated by Courtney Pineau, this session features Arohi Sharma (NRDC), Elizabeth Candelario (Mad Agriculture), and Eric Levine (Count Us In), discussing the urgency and strategies for climate action.
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Concurrent Sessions
- Delivering Value Beyond the Soil: The Case for an Organic and Regenerative Agricultural System
- Joe Dickson moderates a discussion with Jessica Wright (SPINS), Ryan Zinn (Dr. Bronner’s), and Sonali Pandithasekara (Serendipol) on the benefits of organic and regenerative agriculture.
- ESG and Climate Action: Considerations for Companies of All Sizes
- Tina Owens leads a session with Andrea Chu (Vital Farms), Errol Schweizer (Impakt IQ), and Julien Gervreau (Sensiba), exploring how companies can integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles with climate action.
- Delivering Value Beyond the Soil: The Case for an Organic and Regenerative Agricultural System
Mid-Morning Sessions
- 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Concurrent Sessions
- From Marketing to Movement Building: The Role of Our Industry in Driving Climate-Friendly Eating Habits
- Courtney Pineau moderates a panel with Charlotte Vallaeys (General Mills), Ethan Soloviev (HowGood), and Sophie Egan (Food for Climate League) on promoting climate-friendly eating habits.
- Working at the Intersection of Climate and Nature: The Opportunities and Challenges
- Tim Greiner moderates a discussion with Caitlin Leibert (Whole Foods Market), Jessica Rosen (Guayaki Yerba Mate), and Nicole Rakobitsch (Organic Valley) on balancing climate action with nature conservation.
- From Marketing to Movement Building: The Role of Our Industry in Driving Climate-Friendly Eating Habits
Lunch & Afternoon Sessions
- 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM: Lunch (On Your Own) & Resource Fair
- 12:30 PM – 12:40 PM: Afternoon Welcome
- Carlotta Mast and Courtney Pineau introduce the afternoon sessions, focusing on the joy and opportunities presented by climate action.
- 12:40 PM – 1:20 PM: Strategic Climate Decision Making
- Corinne Shindelar moderates a session with Paul Giudice (CoMetrics), Rachel Dreskin (Plant Based Foods Association), and Sherry Frey (Nielsen IQ) on making strategic decisions in the face of macroeconomic, industry, and consumer trends.
- 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM: Navigating Scope 3 Data Challenges Through Collaboration
- Ann Armbrecht leads a panel with Briana Buckles (Yogi), Erin Douglas (Banyan Botanicals), Nate Brennan (Pacific Botanicals), and Taylor Clayton (Traditional Medicinals) on overcoming data challenges in Scope 3 emissions through collaboration.
Late Afternoon Sessions
- 2:00 PM – 2:25 PM: Accelerating our Electric Future
- Nancy Hirshberg moderates a session with Dr. Leah Stokes (UC Santa Barbara) and Julia Thayne (RMI) on the transition to an electric future.
- 2:25 PM – 2:55 PM: Living Systems, Living Values
- Dr. Lyla June discusses the lessons of Indigenous regenerative ecosystem design.
- 3:10 PM – 3:30 PM: The Patagonia Provisions Case Study
- Paul Lightfoot presents a case study on building a brand that supports climate action.
- 3:30 PM – 4:10 PM: Constellations of Regeneration
- Caitlin Oleson moderates a session on collaborations at the intersection of finance, nutrient density, and regenerative agriculture.
- 4:10 PM – 4:55 PM: Lessons from the C-Suite on Trailblazing a Future Food System
- Julia Collins moderates a discussion with leaders from King Arthur Baking, Simple Mills, and SIMPLi on pioneering a sustainable food system.
- 4:55 PM – 5:30 PM: From Influencer to Cultural Catalyst
- Eric Levine discusses the role of culture in building a thriving future.
Closing
- 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Networking Reception & Resource Fair
- An opportunity to connect with peers and explore resources from various organizations committed to climate action.
Climate Day 2024 promises to be an enriching experience, offering insights, strategies, and connections to empower attendees in their climate action efforts. The event is free with an exhibit hall badge, but space is limited, highlighting the importance of early registration for those interested in participating.
For more event information, visit Climate Collaborative.
The Organic Center – An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Best in Organic
Anaheim Marriott, March 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Join The Organic Center and Organic Voices/Only Organic for “An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Best in Organic,” a premier event celebrating the year’s most outstanding contributions to the organic movement. Scheduled for March 13, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Marriott, this event is designed to be the organic industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, offering a night of recognition, networking, and celebration.
Event Overview:
- Location & Time: Anaheim Marriott, March 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Dress Code: Casual cocktail/business casual attire is recommended for this engaging evening.
Evening Highlights:
- Science Fair & Networking: Start the evening with an inspiring science fair, where you can network with other organic stakeholders, enjoy beverages and appetizers, and learn about groundbreaking research in organic agriculture.
- Awards Ceremony: Hosted by Jennifer Garner and other distinguished guests, the ceremony will recognize and celebrate the achievements of organic brands and companies that have significantly contributed to promoting organic to consumers.
- Live Music & Open Bar: The celebration continues with live music and an open bar, providing ample opportunities for networking and enjoyment.
Awards Categories:
For the first time, the event will honor individuals, associations, companies, and brands across eight categories for their success in elevating awareness, understanding, and consumption of organic products:
- Best New Organic Food/Beverage Product
- Best New Organic Non-food Product
- Best Organic Messaging
- Better for the Planet, People, or Animals
- Best Organic PR or Social Media Activation
- Best Retailer Organic Activation
- Most Impactful Organic Research Result or Finding
- Emerging Organic Entrepreneur of the Year and Organic Company of the Year
Call for Applications:
- Deadline: Applications for the awards must be submitted by January 19, 2024.
- Application Process: Companies interested in applying for the awards can find more information and submit their applications online.
Supporting The Organic Movement:
This ticketed event not only offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the successes of the organic industry but also supports the ongoing efforts to advance organic agriculture and promote a healthier planet. Attendees are encouraged to register early and can consider becoming sponsors to further support the cause.
About The Organizers:
- The Organic Center is committed to advancing organic agriculture through scientific research, focusing on climate change mitigation, environmental and human health, and providing tools and training to support organic farmers and businesses.
- Organic Voices/Only Organic educates consumers about the significance of organic certification and creates compelling content to engage and inform through large-scale campaigns.
Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to celebrate the best in organic, network with industry leaders, and support the advancement of organic agriculture. Register today to secure your participation in an unforgettable night dedicated to honoring the achievements and impact of the organic movement.
Event Registration | The Organic Center
Expo West Parties And Happy Hours
Tons of companies host happy hours at their booths, generally between 4 and 6pm. Some are more public about it, some are secret, some require an invite. They are generally easy to find. They can get crowded and can be a hit or miss on networking depending on how fast the booze is flowing. A few will offer more than booze. CBD cocktails were a big thing once year. I’ve also been offered mushrooms and acid.
Private after parties exist every evening off campus / outside of the convention center. They vary from airbnb rented houses, booked restaurants, hotel suites and event spaces, night clubs, a bowling alley, and then some. Try lining these up as fast as you can, as they do have space limitations.
J.E.D.I. Community Happy Hour: March 15 | 4:00-6:00pm in the Arena Plaza.
My First Expo West Experience
Note: I wrote a good portion of this immediately after attending my first year.
I first attended the Natural Products Expo West in 2017. A good friend of mine attended for multiple years as an exhibitor, so I heard bits and pieces about the conference, but never realized what I was in for until I actually registered for myself. I had an incredible experience this first time, and knew it certainly wouldn’t be the last time I visited.
I became an official attendee while I was visiting Atlanta, Georgia. I distinctly recall sitting in a plush hotel bed with my laptop, feeling like I was missing something. Then it hit me – oh yeah, I have 2 days left to register as a blogger attendee. I should probably do that. So I did. I was accepted a lot faster than expected and hit the ground running, preparing before I even arrived back home.
I spent the latter half of my evenings setting up my schedule for each day, creating appointments to meet with exhibitors and talk about their products, and figuring out which of the education tracks I wanted to drop in on. Halfway through this process, I realized I should be documenting this particular conference. I jokingly called it a Vision Quest, not realizing how close to the truth I had hit the mark. A Vision Quest is a rite of passage in certain Native American cultures, undertaken by young males entering adulthood. This was by far the most prepared and organized I’d ever been in attending a conference – the metaphor felt appropriate. My adventure and journey to the start of the conference was incredible.
I knew from the get-go attending this conference would be significantly more expensive than other conferences I had attended, mostly due to distance. Luckily, my other parents had a welcome home 25 minutes from the conference I could stay at. I’ve adopted some additional sets of parents over the years – they are lovely to have – I call them my second parents because I’ve known them since preschool.
True to the sunk cost fallacy, I wanted to turn the trip down to Orange County into an adventure. I filled my time with adventures in the outdoors, creatively prepared local food, and spectacular wine. A trifecta of perfection for an adventurer such as myself.
The first day of Natural Products Expo West for me would officially be Wednesday, March 8th. It was a combination of Business School and Climate Day, leaving the exhibitors to set up for opening the following day and Friday.
If I drove directly to Anaheim, it would be a 6-hour drive, around 440 miles. Pretty brutal and boring. Wait a minute. What if I left a day early and camped halfway or three-quarters down? I’d get a fresh start in the morning and an easy drive. With recent heavy rains throughout California, there had been multiple mudslides and portions of Highway 1 were out. Highway 101 seemed like a viable option with a sleepover at Pismo Beach. I could camp out on the beach and wake up to the ocean. Yes. The first leg of my Vision Quest would begin Monday, March 6th. It had been raining throughout Northern California and I wanted to take advantage of the vibrant greenery by driving down 101 to Pismo.
Pre-Conference Adventures
I’ve made it an annual tradition to embark upon some epic pre-conference adventures.
Lodging for Expo West
Reducing Footprints and Waste
For Natural Products Expo West 2020, I wanted to take extra steps for reducing single-use waste of sample cups, forks, spoons, napkins,, and pretty much everything handed out as part of the sampling process from all the booths and vendors.
Inspired by the New Hope sustainability commitments and programs, I wanted to do my own part. That, and I’ve been told I’m an influencer, so I better do what I do best – influence by example!
I will have to dedicate some extra time to this whole process – and it will certainly be a learning curve, especially as I’ve never done this before. I had a brief warm-up period at another event I recently attended – The Village Feast.
- Cloth napkins
- Glass to-go containers or mason jars
- Metal utensils
- Carrying case for it all
I usually walk around with a backpack, so I’ll need a lightweight solution – I’m thinking of drawing some inspiration from camping gear.
Food Strategy – Beyond the Samples
Education Tracks
Websites and Resources
Natural Products Expo West – Official website
New Hope Network – Official media and blogger network
Climate Collaborative – Host of Climate Day at Expo West
- About the Author
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.
