Catch these Natural Products Expo West 2015 education sessions

Natural Products Expo West offers a plethora of educational sessions to feed your mind. Three tracks fill each of the three conference days:

Thursday, March 5: Organic Series, Natural in the Media and Special Diets.

Friday, March 6: Natural Economics, Non-GMO series, "Future-of" series.

Saturday, March 7: Women in Leadership, Digital Strategies, Natural in Advertising.

Conference sessions require purchase of a special pass, ranging from daily fees to a Super Pass with additional benefits. Find details at expowest.com.

Here are some programs that excite NFM editors.

Organic Series: The State of Organic at USDA 
Especially for anyone dealing in the organic space, this is one session not to be missed. National Organic Program Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy will talk about the development and implementation of organic standards, and how the USDA supports organic agriculture overall— including in international trade arrangements.
9 a.m. Thursday, Marriott, Grand Ballroom G/H

Organic Series: Integrating Sustainability into Organic Supply Chains
Learn how to take sustainability beyond just the organic label. Executives from Annie’s, Nature’s Path and Pacific Natural Foods will look at the whole supply chain and identify key areas for reducing a company’s footprint.
1:30 p.m. Thursday, Marriott, Grand Ballroom G/H

Food Access and the Role of the Natural Foods Industry 
Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, talks about how the industry can help more Americans access healthy food. The session was so popular last year, he’s speaking again to advance the discussion in 2015.
1:30 Friday, Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 5/6

Natural in the Media: Do’s and Don’ts in Working With Today’s (Exhausted) Journalists 
Catch up with food writers and journalists to learn some tips for interacting with—and benefiting more from—the media.
9 a.m. Thursday, Marriott, Grand Ballroom F

Special Diets: Vegan Market Research and Brand Positioning
Join New Hope Natural Media’s own Jenna Blumenfeld and Eric Pierce to learn why vegan and vegetarian diets are so popular and growing even more so, what projected growth looks like and what ingredients are likely to pop.
Noon Thursday, Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1/2

Non-GMO Series: Impact of GMO on U.S. Exporters, a Global Perspective
What more is there to say? GMOs are an issue of global importance. How are the discrepancies in national policies and expectations affecting U.S. companies?
12:30 p.m. Friday, Marriott, Grand Ballroom F

The Future of: Millennial Purchasing Values—Toxin Awareness 
As younger generations start shopping for themselves more and more, they bring their awareness of health and chemicals with them to the store. Learn about the values of the millennial generation when it comes to food, beauty and health, and how they affect this generation’s purchasing decisions.
9 a.m. Friday, Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1

Your Right to Know—Next Steps in the GMO Labeling Fight
Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield and the chairman and founding partner of Just Label It will lead a look at what’s next for GMO labeling. Scott Faber, the Environmental Working Group’s vice president of government affairs joins the conversation. And you’ll want to, as well.
4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 5/6