LOHAS 11 Forum Reveals 'Green' Consumer Marketplace Could Quadruple, Reaching $845 Million by 2015

Many Predictions and Announcements Mark Next Steps in Sustainable Business

Growth

    LOS ANGELES, May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The LOHAS industry
 (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) has kicked off its second decade
 in style and with unprecedented momentum, as new announcements and
 predictions have emerged following the first "sold out" LOHAS conference in
 11 years.
     The LOHAS 11 Forum attracted more than 700 international business
 leaders, influencers, celebrities and journalists from May 14 - May 16 in
 Marina Del Rey, CA, and showcased some 80 speakers from Fortune 500
 companies and successful startups leading the way in this fast-growing
 industry.
     Just how quickly is this industry expected to grow? Based on its latest
 research presented at LOHAS 11, the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) says
 that the $200 billion+ industry is on track to jump to $420 billion in just
 three years and then skyrocket to $845 billion by 2015.
     "Given everything that's happening in the LOHAS movement, it's easy to
 see how NMI's research would yield these extremely promising numbers," said
 Ted Ning, LOHAS 11 Conference Director. "Sustainability is now part of many
 businesses and industries, and is sure to expand into even more categories,
 since more consumers every year want to spend their money with
 environmentally friendly companies."
     Agenda-Setting Announcements
     Beyond revealing trends and predictions, LOHAS 11 also became the
 springboard for several major initiatives:
     * Burt's Bees outlined its mission to develop national guidelines defining
       the term "natural" as it relates to skin and beauty products.  Burt's
       Bees says that many products claim to be natural when they contain
       several synthetic ingredients.
     * Yahoo!'s Media Group introduced Yahoo! Green (http://green.yahoo.com), a
       new, one-stop eco-site offering the latest news and tips for green-
       motivated consumers.
     * Organic Bouquet announced the purchase of the Organic Style(TM)
       trademark and brand from Rodale Inc. Organic Bouquet officials said the
       new company, Organic Style Limited, will become an international eco-
       lifestyle company, offering flowers, gifts, and products across multiple
       categories.
     * Office Depot debuted its "Greener Office," awarding a new office to a
       LOHAS participant.
     Beyond Burt's Bees, Yahoo!, Organic Bouquet and Office Depot, other
 companies represented at LOHAS 11 as sponsors or by providing speakers
 included: Starbucks, Gaiam, Inc. Magazine, Discovery Channel, Jurlique, Dr.
 Weil Lifestyle LLC, Green & Black's, Sustainlane, Cisco Home, Numi Tea,
 Native Energy, Body + Soul Magazine, Spectra Funds, Product (RED),
 Stonyfield Farm, Virgin Unite, Sounds True, Terracycle, RSF Social Finance,
 Ogden Publications, Ecomedia, Forward Asset Management, Wellworks, Active
 Interest Media, Blue Planet Water, Econscious Clothing, Steaz, Dwell, Veev,
 Nature Works LLC, International Spa Association (ISPA), Organic Vintners,
 Bison Brewery, Silverjet, PR Newswire and CSR Wire.
     In addition to the company announcements, additional LOHAS 11
 highlights included:
     * A green spa created by the International Spa Association (ISPA)
       promoting the virtues of relaxation
     * A morning Tae Bo exercise class led by Billy Blanks
     * Tours of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
       Platinum Certified LivingHome, created with sustainable materials
     * A preview of the IMAX movie, "Hurricane On The Bayou," along with a
       fiddle performance by its 16-year-old star Amanda Shaw
     * Sessions led by members of the entertainment world, including Producer
       of An Inconvenient Truth Lawrence Bender, Actress/Author Mariel
       Hemingway, Actor/Activist Ed Begley, Jr., and Drum Circle Master Gabe
       Harris of Rhythm Village.
     Given the popularity and range of activities covered at this forum,
 LOHAS 11 organizers expect even more companies to adopt the practices they
 learned during more than 40 seminars, breakout sessions and demonstrations.
 Plans are already in the works for LOHAS 12 and promise to build upon the
 momentum sparked by the LOHAS 11 event.
     About LOHAS Forum
     Since its inception in 1996, LOHAS has been the catalyst for the
 adoption of sustainable living and environment-friendly practices within
 the North American and global business community. The LOHAS 11 Forum
 featured highly influential speakers and panelists who addressed and
 explored some of today's most prominent issues and business challenges in
 the world of health and wellness. Other events included musical
 performances, culinary experiences, demonstrations and networking
 receptions.
 
 

SOURCE LOHAS 11 Forum