Natural Products Expo East Return to Baltimore Proves Boon for Business

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The strength of the natural, organic and healthy lifestyle industry proved robust as ever, as booming business was done on the trade show floor of Natural Products Expo East.  The show engaged over 20,000 industry members, representing 80 countries, and the show floor comprised of 1,450 exhibits.  Natural Products Expo East co-located with All Things Organic-BioFach America, the Organic Summit, and Healthy Baking was held at the Baltimore Convention Center, September 21 – 24, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

"Bringing Expo East back to Baltimore received overwhelmingly positive feedback.  Our community is strengthened, and the show drew buyers from Wegmans to Whole Foods and Starbucks, each with a focus of getting business done on the trade show floor," said Erica Stone, show director.

"We met with many mission based brands, after listening to their stories, and hearing about their ethical and credible products, we wrote orders.  When our employees are able to tell a company's story we make a better connection with the customers in our store," said Michael Kanter, owner of Cambridge Naturals.

An impressive, 355 companies exhibited at Natural Products Expo East for the first time, bringing industry trends to market such as Snackle Mouth granola clusters, Zendulgence hemp gelato and Nawgan functional beverages.  Legacy brands, such as New Chapter, Late July, White Wave, Stonyfield and Kiss My Face impressed with innovation, and lead industry initiatives, such as the non-GMO movement, organic labeling and ingredient sourcing.

The winners of the New Product Showcase Awards as voted on by attendees were:

Best Packaging:  Tiny Fruits by Little Duck Organics
Most Innovative: Vampire Killer - Brad's Raw Leafy Kale by Brad's Raw Foods
Best New Green/Environmentally-friendly: Snack Time by ChicoBag
Best New Food: Hibiscus Lemon LunaPops by LunaPops
Best New Health & Beauty: Fair Trade Ethiopian Coffee Scrub by Planet Botanicals
Best New Supplements/Herbs: Vega Sport Performance Protein by Sequel Naturals
Best of Press: Daily Dose of Dark by NibMor Chocolate, and Tea Enhancers by Catalyst Gourmet

For all the news, product launches, trends, and Natural Products Expo East coverage, visit NewHope360.com, the digital source for the natural, organic and healthy living industry.

Join us next year for Natural Products Expo East, September 19 – 22, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media Inc., is the leading media resource and information provider for the natural, organic and healthy products industry, with print, in-person/event, and e-business products and services. As a leading, independent, business-to-business media company, Penton knows business and how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets. Penton is where professionals turn to gain the critical insight, expert analysis, and relevant connections needed to compete and succeed. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit http://www.penton.com.

Contact: Heather Smith
New Hope Natural Media
303. 998. 9232
[email protected]

SOURCE New Hope Natural Media