Attendees will be treading on new ground at this year's Natural Products Expo East in Washington, D.C., Sept. 4-7. After four and a half years of construction, the new Washington, D.C., Convention Center will be the venue for this year's show. In addition to a single-level show floor, attendees will find panoramic city views from what is now D.C.'s largest building.

"We're really excited about this year's Expo East," says Eva Marie, Natural Products Expo trade show director. "Not only do we have a beautiful new Convention Center but more than 1,700 booths featuring the latest in natural products," she says.

In addition to the Convention Center, attendees will find other innovations at this year's Expo. New Hope Natural Media has teamed up with Nuremberg /Messe/Global Fairs, the world's largest producer of organic trade shows, to create Organic Products Expo/BioFach America. In addition to an all-organic trade show floor, OPE/BA will host many organic events and educational seminars.

"Teaming up with NMGF and creating Organic Products Expo/BioFach America is really a milestone for the industry; it is a sign of the maturity of international organic trade," says Scott Silverman, organic program manager for New Hope Natural Media. "The collaboration will give attendees a much wider variety of organic specialty products to choose from," he says.

Also new at Expo East is the National Nutritional Foods Association Industry Reception. On Friday night, refreshments will be served to celebrate the success of this industry trade association. While sharing a drink with colleagues, attendees will enjoy great views of D.C.'s monuments from the third floor of the Convention Center.

Attendees can shop for the latest natural products in the show floor's five pavilions—food, supplements, personal care, organic and natural living. More than 1,700 exhibitors will be offering the latest in natural products, "giving [attendees] the edge they need to succeed in today's competitive marketplace," Marie says. Shoppers also can stop by the New Products Showcase for a quick look at more than 600 new products.

Along with the usual Expo entertainment happenings, conference goers can also look forward to an evening of dancing with Ziggy Marley. After its smash success at Expo West in March, the "Rasta Prom" is being brought to Expo East, courtesy of White Wave and New Hope Natural Media.

For more information and registration, visit www.expoeast.com or call 800.458.4935.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXIV/number 8/p. 16