New Hope Natural Media Announces the Winner of the 2014 NEXT Accelerator Natural Products Pitch-Slam at Natural Products Expo West

ANAHEIM, Calif., March 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton, today announced that SoapBox Soap has won the 2014 NEXT Accelerator Natural Products Pitch-Slam at Natural Products Expo West, the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products industry event. Pitch-Slam is a fun, fast-paced event that lets entrepreneurs pitch their natural product ideas to a panel of four leading natural products investors and branding experts, receive immediate feedback and expert suggestions for improving and refining their idea.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140307/CL79198 

2014 Pitch-Slam boasted a record number of applicants as part of the Entrepreneur Boot Camp education workshop.

SoapBox Soap offers all-natural bar soap, all-natural liquid hand soap and all-natural body wash made in the United States. The company empowers its customers with the ability to make the world a better place through everyday, quality purchases. In two years, SoapBox Soaps has donated soap to a number of countries on four continents including Haiti, Ecuador, Honduras, Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Thailand, India, South Africa, Zambia and the United States. In addition, SoapBox Soaps have also donated soap to struggling families at homeless shelters, women's shelters and nursing homes in the United States.

SoapBox Soap won a prize package of goods and services valued at more than $25,000. Branding and marketing consulting services from Sterling-Rice Group and MetaBrand Corporation, social media consulting from VOCO Creative, a copy of Bob Burke's Natural Products Field Manual, an invitation to present at Nutrition Capital Network's Investor Conference, a free booth at Expo West 2015, a copy of the NEXT: The Natural Products Industry Forecast 2014 and NEXT Accelerator membership.

"Natural Products Expo is committed to helping entrepreneurial brands enter the marketplace and our Pitch-Slam helps companies refine their pitches, and prepare for future fundraising," said Diana Mercer, NEXT Accelerator Community Manager, New Hope Natural Media. "SoapBox Soap was recognized for the company's passion to improve the world through each soap purchase. We congratulate them on their win and wish them the best of luck as they grow their natural products business."

Pitch-Slam is part of New Hope Natural Media's NEXT Accelerator,an online tool for the large population of entrepreneurial manufacturers in the natural products industry. The solution is targeted to the entrepreneur who has a good idea, but who lacks the industry experience and tactical know-how to take their business to the next level. Analogous to a tech incubator, NEXT Accelerator connects manufacturers with the information, expertise, advisors, service providers and partners to ensure their product launch success and provides year-round mentoring and education to meet an identified need.

About New Hope Natural Media
New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton, 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.

About Penton
Penton is a leading professional information services company that engages and informs millions of professionals every day, helping them grow and solve their most critical business challenges. As a provider of critical workflow solutions and insightful content, marketing services and networking, Penton helps businesses do business in five core growth markets: agriculture, transportation, natural products/food, infrastructure, and industrial design/manufacturing

Penton is a growth company with a track-record of strong performance and success and is backed by its co-owners: MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Heather Smith
New Hope Natural Media
303.998.9232
[email protected]

Kate Spellman
SVP Marketing
Penton
212.204.4351
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton