Fondly Recapping Natural Products Expo East
The event, held September 28 through October 1 in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center, featured a Naturally Network Pitch Slam in which two Naturally Chicago partners — GoNanas and Globowl — participated; a Pitch Slam after-party presented by industry data leader SPINS, a Naturally Chicago co-founder; and many of our region’s top-performing emerging brands exhibiting their excellent products.
Here's a roundup of some reactions to this great event, presented by New Hope Network and its parent company Informa.
Look Like Winners to Us
GoNanas (producer of cleaner-label banana bread mixes) and Globowl (better-for-kids baby food) finished first and second in Naturally Chicago’s August 10 Virtual Pitch Slam. That entitled them to compete in the Naturally Network Pitch Slam in Philadelphia.
And though they didn’t win, both came away with good feelings about Expo East.
Said Morgan Lerner (left in the photo with co-founder Annie Slabotsky: “We were so grateful to have won a free booth at Expo East through the Naturally Network because the week was so incredible fruitful! From meeting buyers in person to reconnecting with other food founders and friends, we really got to get our brand out there and build relationships, which helps in every facet of our business!"
And this from Erica Bethe Levin, founder/CEO of Globowl (with hat tips to Jim Slama and Christie Schuessler of Naturally Chicago and Debi Goldman of Naturally Network):
“I wanted to send over a HUGE thank you for including me in the Naturally Pitch Slam, and welcoming me so warmly into the entire Naturally Network. I am still recovering from my first Expo East but doing so with a huge smile on my face. Jim and Debi, it was great spending time with you IRL and I look forward to seeing everyone in-person at the next Naturally Chicago event.
“What you are doing to support founders like me is unparalleled and I am extremely grateful. Although I did not ‘win’ the pitch slam, I did manage to secure my first PO and have meetings set with buyers from [two major grocery chains]. So I feel like I won anyway.”
An Expo “Rookie” No More
Lisa L. Marsh is founder/CEO of Ms. P’s Gluten Free, which produces gluten-free granola in a variety of flavors on Chicago’s South Side. Marsh was a runner-up in the August 10 Naturally Chicago Virtual Pitch Slam that was won by GoNanas and Globowl.
In sharing her thoughts with Naturally Chicago, Marsh said, “It was a little overwhelming for a newbie,” but added, “We received guidance from so many great individuals.”
A newbie no more, Marsh said she is hopes to attend the flagship Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim next March. Here are excerpts from her note in which she mentions (included), a membership collective for top BIPOC executives in CPG:
“MsPsGFree Inc. attended the Natural Foods Expo East conference from a very different perspective. We looked for suppliers to help solidify our supply chain. We looked for diverse brands for potential partnership and found quite a few.
“We attended Project Potluck, discovered (included), and met with our wonderfully positive mentors and those assisting us with scaling such as Sam Kressler from Stir Innovation, Ryan Pintado-Vertner of Smoketown [a Naturally Chicago Board member], and Jim Slama of Naturally Chicago…
“We walked the showroom floors many days and most of the booths offered gluten-free selections and so many new finds. I was told to think about Expo West, and of course I will.
“For a small gluten-free baking business, the Expo was a great experience and made me aware of so many brands and snacks selections, as well as connecting me with ingredient manufacturers who can assist us in scaling and growing, [and] wonderful individuals in the Naturally Network, New Hope and Informa Markets.”
And a Word from the Organizers
Finally, here is a recap of the event from our partners at New Hope Network and their parent company Informa:
Informa Markets’ Natural Products Expo East, part of the New Hope Network family of brands, safely and successfully hosted the industry September 28-October 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the second year in a row.
The event, which is in its 37th occurrence, drew more than 1,200 exhibitors, including 425 first time exhibitors, and nearly 18,500 registered attendees to reconnect with colleagues, learn from experts and see first-hand the latest innovations coming soon to retail stores.
The expo floor was filled with brands that highlighted the latest and greatest innovation from the food and wellness industry. The show also served as a valuable meeting place, drawing retailers from stores such as Kroger, Jimbo’s, Cambridge Naturals, Target, Rainbow Blossom, Walmart, and many more, who were looking for everything from natural and organic foods to supplements and home products that are good for the planet and the consumers.
“As a newbie, I was blown away by the exhibitors at this year's Expo East show,” said first-time attendee Kathy Settles from Dorothy Lane Market. “Now more than ever, our industry is being challenged to find and create products that meet our customers’ needs for achieving better health. The show’s theme of ‘Spark Your Passion’ was perfect because we had this amazing opportunity to connect with the people behind the products and experience their passion first-hand."
The show also continued with its prestigious NEXTY Awards, representing the most progressive, innovative, inspiring and trustworthy products, and a gallery of this year’s winners can be viewed online here. The winner of the Pitch Slam was Gear Hugger, whose eco-friendly formula is plant-based and non-toxic.
First Time Carbon Neutral Certification Pursuit
At this year’s event, extensive efforts were made in waste diversion, social and local community impact, and the event footprint at large, as Informa Markets’ New Hope Network announced its first carbon neutral certification pursuit at this year’s show. This is the result of decades of reducing emissions where possible, and then partnering with Climate Impact Partners to identify well-reputed offset projects.
“Sustainability is intrinsic to natural products,” said Lacey Gautier, VP Events, Natural Products Expo. “We’ve implemented practices to reduce our environmental impacts for many years, and we look forward to continuing to enhance our efforts and partnerships at future shows. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we are uniting as an industry to accelerate our efforts and collectively create positive change.”
Social Sustainability
Accessibility, diversity, inclusion and community were also at the forefront when planning for Natural Products Expo East. New Hope Network will activate on its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) values and again partnered with (included), a membership collective for BIPOC executives in the CPG space, as well as Project Potluck, to continue to advance diversity and inclusion throughout the event. Highlights from these efforts included conference session collaborations, complimentary Natural Products Expo Virtual (NPEV) memberships for (included) members, networking events and onsite exhibit space and tabletop features.
Project Potluck, whose mission is to help People of Color build successful companies and careers in CPG, was also an integral partner to the show, advancing both organizations’ goals to increase access, visibility and representation and develop the next generation of CPG leaders.
“The exposure is amazing at Expo East,” said Zahira Marmar, Founder of Hrbvor Herbal Teas, an (included) member. “For a small brand like us, just starting out, it’s time for us to expand in this region to be more accessible to spread the love of herbal tea! This is an amazing outlet to be discovered and discover partners within the CPG industry.”
Industry members who were unable to travel to Philadelphia were invited to participate through Natural Products Expo Virtual Program. Through this virtual program, attendees participated in the keynote presentations, set-up meetings with exhibitors, and can view on-demand content after the event.
Natural Products Expo East is produced by New Hope Network and is co-located with BioFach America and Harvest Festival. Natural Products Expo West 2023 will be held March 7-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Natural Products Expo East 2023 will take place September 20-23 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
This article was compiled and produced by Bob Benenson, communications consultant for Naturally Chicago and publisher of the independent Local Food Forum.
