Education session picks at Expo West

Maximize your Expo West experience with these education session picks from NFM Editor-in-Chief Christine Kapperman.

Christine Kapperman, Senior Content Director

February 12, 2014

3 Min Read
Education session picks at Expo West

Be sure to schedule in time for education while at Natural Products Expo West. These sessions will help you fuel your business now and in the future. All conference sessions take place in the Anaheim Marriott.

  • Food, Technology and the Natural Consumer: Learn how technology is transforming how consumers shop for food and what they eat. Join leaders from Door to Door Organics, Food and Tech Connect, and SPINS to discuss data and their online shopping behavior observations. 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Platinum Ballroom 6

  • What Facebook is Trying to Tell You: Take a deep dive into Facebook’s Insights—from likes to demographics—and help you translate data into actionable, engaging strategies to grow fans and deepen customer relationships. Retailers with Facebook Pages and prior familiarity of the platform are encouraged to attend this event led by social media reps from a nonprofit, large co-op and socially active brand. 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Platinum Ballroom 6

  • Food Access and the Role of the Natural Foods Industry: Whole Foods Market Co-CEO Walter Robb talks about the role of the retailer in our nation’s access to sustenance. 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Friday, March 7, Platinum Ballroom 6

  • Nanotechnology—Defining its Importance to You: Like many new technologies, nanotechnology has the potential to make our lives easier, less costly and more convenient, but we must also be aware of possible pitfalls. Join George Burdock, Ph.D., of the Burdock Group safety and regulatory consultants, to explore this new frontier. 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Friday, March 7, Platinum Ballroom 9

  • Seducing the Involved Hispanic Shopper: Learn the foundation of serving the Hispanic shopper based upon PanaVista’s outlined Latino path to purchase as it relates to cultural shopping influences, list making, store selection, in-store behavior and post-store loyalty. 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, March 7, Platinum Ballroom 9

  • How Your Store Can Make the Most out of Competition: Corinne Shindelar, CEO of the Independent Natural Foods Retailers Association, will help you define your competition and consider what you can do as new players come to your market. 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, March 8, Platinum Ballroom 9

  • Strategies to Win Customers Back from Amazon: An online retailer and growing independent chain talk about the world of e-commerce and how to compete. 1 to 2:15 p.m. Saturday, March 8, Platinum Ballroom 6

  • Live Consumer Focus Group: Join a longtime natural retail marketing pro as he leads a special on-stage focus group. This is your chance to talk to real customers to figure out why they shop where and how they do. 3 to 4:15 p.m. Saturday, March 8, Platinum Ballroom 6   

Special sessions

These extra free sessions made available to everyone with a badge highlight important industry issues:

  • GMO Labeling Across the Nation: Join GMO leaders as they examine the state of labeling from store shelf to statehouse. The noteworthy panelists leading the discussion are Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group; David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and chairman of Stonyfield Farm; and Robynn Shrader, CEO of the National Cooperative Grocers Association. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 6, Platinum Ballroom 6

  • Retailer Town Hall: Defining “Natural” Together: Once again, Natural Products Expo West attendees will come together to participate in a town hall meeting to discuss how you and your shoppers define natural and what role the industry can play as this issue rises on the national political front. Panelists are Steven Taormina, standards director at New Hope Natural Media; Cheryl Hughes, industry leader and owner of The Whole Wheatery; Mary Mulry, president of Foodwise; and Rick Quinn, principal at fdaimports.com. 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, March 7, Platinum Ballroom 8

About the Author

Christine Kapperman

Senior Content Director, New Hope Network

As the senior content director at New Hope Network, Christine Kapperman combines her 20-year journalism background with her passion for business to cover the natural products industry for newhope.com and Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine. She also led content at worldteanews.com. She loves tracking (and tasting) trends as she shares what’s next to show up in cups, plates and in pantries across the United States.

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