Members of the Natural Products Association Northwest voted to re-incorporate as Positively Natural, a not-for-profit trade association for natural product wholesalers and retailers, the organization’s president announced Monday.

“The landscape of the natural products industry is changing rapidly. Thus, the Northwest is evolving. Advocacy and education have been hallmarks of the Northwest region and they will continue to be, but now with more vigor,” said Lorraine Hoffman, CNC, Positively Natural’s president.

Positively Natural, based in Seattle, Washington, will offer opportunities for members to network, increase sales and knowledge, and create and support grassroots advocacy for legislation that positively affects the sale of natural products, enhances nutritional intakes, optimizes the health and the well-being of humans, and reinforces good ecological standards.

The organization previously incorporated in 1972 and later affiliated with the Natural Products Association (NPA) as Natural Products Association Northwest. NPA Northwest covered the state of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.

“We are proud of our past collaboration with the NPA and look forward to working together with many industry leaders that share common goals with our new association,” said Stephanie Juhl, Positively Natural’s executive director. According to the NPA’s website and her LinkedIn profile, Juhl was also the executive director of Natural Products Association Northwest.

Positively Natural will continue to produce an annual educational conference and trade show—Positively Natural Marketplace in Portland, Oregon, in October—and plans to add other localized events throughout year.

“There are many organizations in this industry that have similar goals to ours. They perform their duties worldwide, nationally, regionally or locally with all stages being important to bring accurate, clear and comprehensive information, material and goods to retailers and to ultimately affect change in their customers lives. As we depart from being an adjunct to the NPA, we look forward to new and renewed relationships within this great industry,” Hoffman said.

Source: Positively Natural