Natural Products Association MarketPlace, the official tradeshow and conference of the Natural Products Association (NPA), produced by New Hope Natural Media, is the longest running natural and healthy lifestyle products trade show.  NPA MarketPlace is the event for independent retailers to source new products, develop industry relationships, and build better business acumen.  The event will be held June 14- 16, 2012 at the Venetian Hotel Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

“Now more than ever, both retailers and manufacturers must stay abreast of the politics and policies that impact us, product trends that affect us both regionally and nationally, and the best ways to use this knowledge to help consumers and to gain a competitive advantage in our businesses.  We offer all that and more at NPA MarketPlace,” said Jeff Wright, NPA President and store owner of Wright’s Nutrients.

The theme of this year’s show is in-depth interaction.  New to the show floor, retailers will have the opportunity to hear product pitches on the latest trends and emerging science at the New Products Showcase LIVE!   Also debuting this year, the Impress the Press showcase, is designed to engage media with new product launches. 

“We officially launched last year at NPA MarketPlace and our expectations were superseded by the success we had connecting with buyers, opening accounts and creating relationships with coops and retailers in person, that as a new brand we had not been able to convey via other marketing vehicles,” said Ayo Hart, founder and CEO of Dolphin Organics.  “We are thrilled to be returning to our spot on the show floor this year!”

Keynote Speaker, Mimi Guarneri M.D., esteemedcardiologist, and founder of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine will headline this year’s education program.  Dr. Guarneri will present groundbreaking new research on the heart as a multi-layered, complex organ, and explore the new science that indicates the heart acts as a powerhouse of its own, possessing intelligence, memory, and decision-making abilities that are separate from the mind.

Other highlights from the education docket include:

· Understanding the NPA seal:  What does it mean? Why certify? Who is using it?

· The Science of Wellness: Supplements Series delves into green chemistry, supplement safety, and provides an NDI guidance panel discussion.

· The Science of Wellness: Personal Care Series offers cutting-edge research and trends analysis for healthy aging, nutraceuticals and natural beauty.

· The Business of Wellness: Social Media Essentials series offers hands-on, interactive learning for all social media experience levels. Attendees will leave with an effective, 12-month social media marketing plan.

The Welcome Reception will take place Thursday evening, June 14^th at V Bar, and the annual President’s Reception, sponsored by Bluebonnet, will be held Friday, June 15^th, in the Venetian, Las Vegas.

Qualified members of the media may preregister for press credentials here.

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Natural Products Association MarketPlace, the official show of the Natural Products Association produced by New Hope Natural Media, is an intimate trade show for the natural and healthy products industries. Thousands of industry professionals gather to see the latest new products and trends. The show also features a highly rated education program with leading experts and community-building networking events.

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.