From The Fall 2002 Issue of Natural Grocery Buyer

Expo East Explores Organics, Education

Anna Soref

With more than 1,700 exhibitors, Natural Products Expo East offers one-stop shopping for natural grocery buyers. This year's show, Oct. 3 to 6 in Washington, D.C., features 600 new products in categories including organic and vegetarian food, personal care and supplements.

With the National Organic Program's implementation coinciding with this year's show, the spotlight at Expo will shine on organic. "We're using the show as a platform to introduce and discuss the NOP and its effect on every element on the supply chain from suppliers to manufacturers to retailers," says Brian Henderson, senior vice president of trade show operations, New Hope Natural Media, Boulder, Colo.

Expo East will emphasize organics in education seminars, on the trade show floor and with an organic dinner party. "Emerging Organic Categories & Trends" and the "Good Organic Retailing Practices Workshop" are just two of the organic seminars scheduled. Buyers can shop for the latest in certified organic products at the Organic Marketplace. Attendees can celebrate organic farmers and enjoy a menu of certified organic food and wine at the Spirit of Organic Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

Education remains an important component of the show. Expo organizers have more than 40 education seminars scheduled with many geared to the grocery buyer. "Addressing the special needs and interests of the natural grocery buyers within the education program is critical," says Sharon Cook, New Hope's conference manager. "As one of our fastest-growing attendee channels, it's important to provide content that will help them run a profitable natural products department or set." Seminar topics include "Strategies to Position Your Store: Category Management" and "What Retailers Want: Marketing Tips, Ideas, Guaranteed Results."

Because of its success at Expo West, the show-within-a-show model will be featured at Expo East. Distinct product pavilions are designed to make category shopping easy. Categories and products at Expo East include food (broken down into organic, specialty, natural, vegetarian and beverages), suppliers, supplements, personal care, natural living, international and health care and complementary/alternative medicine.

For more information, visit www.expoeast.com.