The Future of Health and Wellness Never Looked so Good—6% Industry Growth

BOULDER, Colo., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo (expowest.com, supplyexpo.com), was home for three days to the largest number of exhibits in its 31 year history at the Anaheim Convention Center in Calif., March 10-13, 2011. This year's event hosted 3533 exhibits and more than 58,000 industry members.

"The record number of booths at this year's Expo West is proof positive of industry growth and translates to healthier food choices on store shelves," said Adam Andersen, show manager for Natural Products Expo West. "Year after year we continue to offer businesses within the healthy lifestyle marketplace a premier place to launch new products and the opportunity to build community."

"We launched our brand at Expo West this year," said Ulli Saeuberlich of Vitacare.  "This was the ideal opportunity to launch our brand. We had buyers from Whole Foods, Mothers Market and Earth Fare showing strong interest in bringing our line into their stores."

Nutrition industry sales totaled approximately $115 billion in the U.S. in 2010, with sales growing 6% over 2009 levels, according to Nutrition Business Journal. While the economy caused growth to slow in 2009, consumers continue to be interested in maintaining good health with 2010 sales of nutrition products on the rise.

Further growth potential for industry and consumer knowledge came to light in The Future of Wellness seminar, featuring research from newhope360.com.  "The research provides an insightful look at what health and wellness means to American consumers who aren't currently purchasing natural and organic.  Reality-based research is a revolutionary way for New Hope to provide intelligence for the industry," said Dave Kingsbury, Vice President of New Product Development & Research, New Hope Natural Media and Director of NewHope360.com.

The 2011 Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo, encompassed more than 1 million square feet of education, community events and exhibits. This year, the event attracted 6% more exhibits from over 35 countries, showcasing the newest and most innovative natural, organic and healthy products and ingredients.

Len Monheit, Executive Director, Supply Network, who announced the launch of engredea in Anaheim for 2012 said, "Customers and attendees were receptive to the news of this event that will allow them to focus on innovation, idea generation, ingredients and healthy product development in a unique and invaluable setting."

This year's sister trade show, Natural Products Expo East, returns to Baltimore, MD in Boston, Sept 21-24, 2011. For extensive show coverage on Natural Products Expo West, engredea and for more information about other events and publications produced by New Hope Natural Media, including the newly launched Find & Compare, online directory tool, visit newhope360.com.

New Hope Natural Media (www.newhope360.com), 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 www.penton.com.

SOURCE New Hope 360