Demand for Natural Products Drives Strong Attendance

More than 4,400 industry members expected at Natural MarketPlace trade show

BOULDER, Colo., July 1 /PRNewswire/ – Natural MarketPlace (www.naturalmarketplaceshow.com), July 9-11, 2009 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, The Venetian Resort Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, is expecting a strong attendance of over 4,400 industry members – increasing buyer attendance almost 100% over 2008. Produced by New Hope Natural Media in partnership with the Natural Products Association, this year’s show will feature products and services from 175 different exhibiting companies in the areas of supplements, health & beauty, natural living, and food & beverage.

Consumer interest in natural products is at an all-time high, revealing nearly 10% overall growth of the natural products industry in 2008 to $68 billion, according to Natural Foods Merchandiser’s Market Overview (June 2009). Consumers are demanding more natural, healthy lifestyle products wherever they shop, and retailers are responding by offering new products and more choices than ever before.

“Natural MarketPlace serves as a resource for retailers on so many levels” said Fredrik M. Linder, president of New Hope Natural Media. “The continued growth of the industry coupled with the long history of this event provides a powerful selling, networking, and educational opportunity.”

The show is packed with free seminars covering important news-making trends and future insights from leading experts. Educational events start on Thursday and continue through Saturday. Senator Tom Harkin will deliver the Saturday Super Session on Saturday, July 11. Senator Harkin is the chairman of the Senate panel that funds medical research, health care, and education initiatives and has worked to transform America into a “wellness society” focused on disease prevention, healthier lifestyles, and good nutrition

Other highlights include Keynote Speaker Hank Cardello, author of Stuffed: An Insider’s Look at Who’s (Really) Making America Fat, the Retail Intensive and the President’s Reception. In addition, show organizers have worked to develop new eco-friendly initiatives meant to lessen the environmental impact of the trade show.

New Hope Natural Media (www.newhope.com), a division of the Penton Media, Inc., is the leading media resource and information provider for the natural, organic and healthy products industry, with print, in-person/event, and e-business products and services. As a leading, independent, business-to-business media company, Penton knows business and how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets. Penton serves the information needs of more than six million business professionals every month in industries ranging from Agriculture and Aviation to Electronics, Natural Products, and Information Technology. Penton is where professionals turn to gain the critical insight, expert analysis, and relevant connections needed to compete and succeed. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. To learn more about Penton, visit http://www.penton.com.

The Natural Products Association (www.naturalproductsassoc.org) is the nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. The association represents more than 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids. Association members meet annually each July in Las Vegas at the association’s official tradeshow, Natural MarketPlace (www.naturalmarketplaceshow.com).

SOURCE Natural MarketPlace