Natural Products Association To Host 71st Annual Natural Products Convention And Trade Show, Natural MarketPlace 2008, USA

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 21 Dec 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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Natural products retailers and suppliers from across the country will gather to exchange trade information, learn about the industry, and peruse booths showcasing industry's best products at the Natural Products Association's 71st annual trade show and convention - Natural MarketPlace 2008 - July 17 - 19, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Natural MarketPlace is the largest single event hosted by the nation's oldest and most influential industry trade association, where retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and other leaders come together to discuss industry trends, explore business opportunities, and network. The association's event will again take place at the world-class Sands Expo and Convention Center and The Venetian Resort Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Natural MarketPlace 2008 offers a new and exciting schedule expanded in response to survey results from industry retailers. This year's trade show will open on Friday and continue through Saturday, allowing retailers plenty of time to enjoy the show's well-known relaxed and congenial atmosphere that encourages networking and relationship building. In addition, Thursday's schedule will include the highly regarded educational conference with some of the natural products industry's most insightful and provocative speakers. The educational opportunities available at Natural MarketPlace make it unique among industry trade shows and an invaluable resource for learning more about all aspects of the industry, whether you are an exhibitor or own a health food store. Past conference seminars have focused on key topics such as consumer and product trends, business improvement, new discoveries in nutrition research, and preparing for legislative and regulatory developments, such as our widely popular good manufacturing practices (GMPs) training program.

Participants can anticipate another stellar show, with both top-of- the-line exhibitors and experienced retailers who make up the core of our industry and innovative new products and exhibitors making their debut in the industry. Eighty percent of Natural MarketPlace attendees have direct purchasing power, and 35 percent of attendees report annual sales in excess of $1 million, making for an informed audience for our large numbers of high-profile exhibitors. Attendees will see the hottest new natural products from innovative, top-quality exhibitors including dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, health and beauty aids, sports nutrition, herbals, organics, homeopathics, pet products, natural/green home products and much more. As with past Natural Products Association trade shows, natural product retailers are invited to walk the show floor free of charge.

"As a health food store owner, Natural MarketPlace has long been a key annual event to discover new innovations that keep my store at the cutting edge of our industry," said Deborah Short of Shawnee, Oklahoma. "In addition, as an educational experience, Natural MaketPlace has given me the opportunity to stay abreast of new regulations and trends in living a natural lifestyle and has really helped me expand my business."

In addition to exciting trade show exhibits, attendees can enjoy special events on the show floor such as the annual People's Choice Awards blind taste-test competition and live product and service demonstrations or the always anticipated product launches and scientific poster sessions Participants are also invited to attend other show events such as the popular President's Reception, our keynote event and the association's annual business meeting.

As part of the Natural Products Association's ongoing effort to best serve our members, we encourage members to suggest event activities or seminars that would enhance the Natural MarketPlace experience. Because Natural MarketPlace is one of many educational events the association holds throughout the year, we aim to present the most valuable and pertinent information for our industry.

Registration for both attendees and exhibitors is open. For more information about Natural MarketPlace 2008 call (202) 223-0101, ext. 109 or e-mail conventions@naturalproductsassoc.org . Details are also available at http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/tradeshow.

The Natural Products Association is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. The association represents more than 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids.

About Natural MarketPlace

Natural MarketPlace 2008, the Natural Products Association's annual convention and trade show, will be held July 17-19 at Sands Expo Convention Center and Venetian Resort Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. The conference begins on July 17 and exhibits are open July 18 and 19. For more information regarding registration and trade show activities, visit http://www.naturalproductsassoc.org/tradeshow or e-mail conventions@naturalproductsassoc.org.

Natural Products Association