Must-see Expo West sessions and events for savvy brands

Building a successful brand in the natural and organic products industry requires immense measures of savvy, grit, tenacity, inspiration and much more. One important stop along the brand-building road? Natural Products Expo West, the industry’s leading trade show.

Countless entrepreneurs and brands have found inspiration at Expo West. They’ve picked up best practices for everything from sustainable packaging to marketing to tapping into trends like regenerative agriculture. Expo guests forge important new relationships, advance sales goals, discover suppliers of key ingredients and meet with potential investors. The show presents opportunities for brand promotion around every corner.

But strategically navigating the show’s diversity of content and events doesn’t always come easy. It’s a huge trade show.

Calling all brands—we’re here to help guide your way through Expo. Read on for a detailed list of just some of the types of content and events that will help make your 2024 especially successful.

Climate Day Community Resource Fair

Don't miss this opportunity to network at Climate Day and further your climate journey at the Community Resource Fair! Find all the details about not-to-miss sessions here.

Date | Time Tuesday, March 12, 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Location: Marriott, Marquis Ballroom NE

Innovations in Sustainable Packaging

This year's OSC Packaging Innovation Awards will be announced during this session, which explores the latest and greatest innovations addressing a global problem.

Date | Time: Thursday, March 14, 12:15-1 p.m.
Location: Marriott, Grand Ballroom F

Supplier Diversity & Cultural Forces Driving the Future of Food

Join industry leaders for a panel discussion on why companies can no longer afford to overlook supplier diversity and the cultural forces surrounding it. Panelists will discuss how their unique backgrounds helped foster innovation, share lessons learned navigating an ever-changing and flawed food industry, and think strategically about how equity can be leveraged to bolster supply chain resilience.

Date | Time: Thursday, March 14, 1:15-2 p.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Grand Ballroom F

Natural Products in the Age of AI: Practical Tools for Innovation & Impact

Artificial intelligence emerged with force more than a year ago, with the emergence of ChatGPT. Now, new technologies and applications swirling around AI are legion—and some of them address the natural and organic products industry. This session offers Expo guests an exploration into how companies in the industry are taking advantage of AI.

Date | Time: Thursday, March 14, 2:15-3:15 p.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Grand Ballroom F

Farm to Brand: Pioneering and Protecting the Future of Food

Join four leading women in the organic industry for a discussion on the future of food and how we can protect it for tomorrow, bringing innovation in products and connecting consumers to the origins of great organic options. Discover insights from forward-thinking organic farmers like Lauren Perkins, alongside high-growth startups Bobbie Baby and Painter Sisters who are revolutionizing otherwise traditional food categories. Moderated by Jaclyn Cardin, Chief Brand Officer at Organic Valley, we will explore our role in shaping and protecting the food system.

Presented by Organic Valley

Date | Time: Thursday, March 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 1-2

The State of Plant Based

Join us for the most comprehensive and compelling overview of the plant-based foods sector including new consumer insights that will help you meet consumer demand and develop growth strategies.

Plant-based foods solve many problems while offering exciting new ways to enjoy meals, beverages, and snacks. This session will provide the most complete reporting available presented by experts who will provide insights to opportunities that our industry needs to grow all plant-based food categories in meaningful ways by building shopper loyalty and helping to meet ESG goals.

Date | Time Friday, March 15, 10-10:45 a.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Grand Ballroom E

Tapping into the Upcycling Trend: Consumer Impacts and Insights

This insightful panel discussion will explore the dynamic intersection of consumer behavior and the upcycling trend. The panel will explore pivotal factors shaping the upcycling landscape, sustainability, and evolving consumer tastes. We'll offer a compelling glimpse into the successful integration of upcycled ingredients into consumer packaged goods (CPG) and share the consumer sentiment behind it.

Presented by Chinova Bioworks

Date | Time: Friday March 15, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 3-4

Nourishing Success: Building a Brand with Intention with Lara Merriken, founder of LÄRABAR

Join Lara Merriken, founder of LÄRABAR, for an intimate conversation with General Mills Brand Manger Alexandra Case. Lara will discuss her psychology-backed approach to entrepreneurship, the key attributes of her brand’s meteoric rise and her experience taking the brand from her kitchen to a General Mills acquisition. Lara’s optimism, grit and resilience allowed her to build a brand with lasting impact and room to evolve. Everyone from fledgling entrepreneurs to CPG veterans will come away with actionable tools and mindset shifts to help reach their goals.

Sponsored by General Mills

Date | Time: Friday March 15 1:30-2:30 p.m. PDT
Location: Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 1-2

Natural Products Expo West, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, begins March 12 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Click through for the agenda, registration, travel information and more.