Phoenix, AZ—Industry companies extended virtual handshakes to retailers at the first Natural Products Marketplace Virtual Event, an online tradeshow organized by Virgo Publishing, based here. The tradeshow, held September 14–15, hosted about 25 exhibitor booths where attendees could read information about the company, request samples, review product information and more. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the conference was the ability to talk with several company representatives and other attendees simultaneously through chat rooms.

Attendees also had the chance to listen to pre-recorded informational seminars at their leisure.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, November 2010 (ahead of print on September 23, 2010)