Natural Products Expo West takes place on March 7 – 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. With the expansion of the convention center, there is a change in the layout of the show. For example, the Hot Products are now in the newly constructed North Hall. Other changes to the layout include Hall B, which previously housed Supplements, is now dedicated to Organic, with Supplements moving to Hall D. Hall C is now dedicated to a new category called Lifestyle and Natural and Specialty Foods will be in the perimeter Halls E, A and the Arena. Engredea has moved from Hall A to in between Halls D and C.

Wednesday, March 7 kicks off with a day of education including the Natural Products Business School, NSF Training, Climate Day 2018, CBD Summit as well as the Natural Products Expo West Pitch-Slam Semi-Finals. The trade show proper starts on Friday, March 9, though WholeFoods has noticed that New Hope has added a great deal more education and speaking engagements Thursday, March 8, compared to previous years, including separating their State of the Industry session into multiple parts, two of which will take place on Thursday: State of the Natural Industry and State of the Organic Industry.

Below are the hall hours and some select education sessions, speaking engagements, events and keynotes WholeFoods believes look worthwhile. Also, we invite our readers to stop by the WholeFoods’ booth #3926 to say hello and pick up a free tote with some samples and literature.

Hall Hours Halls A-E at Convention Center (includes Engredea) Friday/Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Level 300, Arena, Arena Lobby Friday/Saturday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

North Hall: Thursday 12 – 6 PM Friday/Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM

More information about the sessions below can be found at www.expowest.com. This schedule may still be subject to change from the time of publication.

Thursday, March 8

7:30 – 9:00 AM — Early Morning Yoga (Grand Plaza) 8:45 – 10:00 AM — The State of the Natural Industry (Marriot, Marquis Ballroom Central): In this data-driven session, learn just how its growth and massive changes in the natural products industry will affect you and how you may adapt as a result of the Amazon, Whole Foods Market merger, the presence of natural products in every channel and the increasing consumer demands. 10:00 – 11:15 AM — The State of the Organic Industry (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass): Organic products are massively popular, having earned the trust of consumers, but with this demand are new challenges to maintain the integrity of the organic seal. 10:30 AM – 2:45 PM — The Disrupted Retail Summit (Marriott, Grand Ballroom F) (Super Pass): Learn actionable insights and tactics from natural and organic products retail, distribution, and brand experts on how to address changes to the retail and distribution landscape. 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Organic 101 (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass): Learn the basics of the organic label and its enforcement. 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Waste Not, Want Not: Tackling Food Waste in Your Company (Marriott, Orange County 3): Learn from leading brands and retailers about how you can reduce food waste at your company to lower your carbon footprint. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Climate 101: The Building Blocks of Climate Action for Your Company (Marriott, Orange County 3): Concerned about climate change and your impact? Learn what kind of fundamental changes you can make to be part of the battle to slow climate change. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Growing Organic: Supply Chain Solutions for Organic’s New Future (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass) 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Herb Walk (Meet at the Hilton - Outside Bus Loading Zone) ($75): Hosted by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Herb Walk consists of a guided tour of Fullerton Arboretum’s beautiful 26-acre botanical garden on the campus of California State University. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM — Food Safety Update: Tools & Resources for Organic Operations (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass) 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM — Stock to Sell: How to Be a Better Buyer (Marriott, Orange County 3) (Super Pass) 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM —Evening on the Plaza(Grand Plaza): Enjoy a concert from musical guest Pimps of Joytime. 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM — The Organic Center’s Annual Benefit Dinner: Enjoy a keynote from actress Jennifer Garner and the company of hundreds of organic visionaries, activists and businesses. (Visit www.organic-center.org for tickets)The 8th Annual League of Angels, Thursday, March 8 at 6PM. ($75 with pre-registration, $100 at the door) This reception benefiting Vitamin Angels features complimentary drinks and appetizers, great music, and a moving presentation from Vitamin Angels’ president and founder Howard Schiffer about the impact Vitamin Angels has on children and families all over the world. All proceeds go directly to supporting Vitamin Angels. (Location: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 East Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806)

Friday, March 9

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM — Early Morning Yoga (Grand Plaza) 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM — Community Breakfast (Marriot Big White Tent) 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM — Addressing Consumers’ Top Needs with Ashwagandha (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 3): Ashwagandha is becoming a very popular supplement. Get insights from Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham about what ashwagandha has to offer your customers. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Innovating with Plants: How to Take Advantage of White Space in the Market (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Super Pass): Plant based has certainly enjoyed a boom but it’s still growing, which means there is still time to take advantage of gaps in the category. Find out what there is still to offer from plant-based. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Magnesium Solutions to a Growing Stressed Population & How to Profit (Hosted by Natural Vitality) (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G): Everyone experiences stress and supplements are one thing people can turn to. Find out how you can help your customers manage stress. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — The Business Case for Leading a Regenerative Movement (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass): Find out how your brand can support the regenerative movement in food and agriculture. 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM — How to Finish Big & Exit Your Company on Top (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Super Pass) 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM — Supporting Farmers: Regenerative Practices for Agricultural Prosperity (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass): Find out how you can support the regenerative movement in food and agriculture. 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Friday Keynote: Jennifer Garner & John Foraker (Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Central): The co-founders of Once Upon a Farm speak about their new venture, the industry at large and advocacy. 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM — Local Community Retail Lunch & Learn (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 3) (Super Pass): Develop relationships with your peers and learn new strategies that will help your business thrive at this fast-paced networking lunch and workshop. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM — From Infancy to Category Leaders: Founders Share Secrets for Success (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Superpass): Learn from some great young brand leaders about how they were able to differentiate and gain traction in the industry. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM — Learn How Not One, but THREE Brains Influence Mental Health! (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 3) (Super Pass): Listen to Karen Jensen ND discuss how gut bacteria influences our brains and mental health as well as cardiovascular health, particularly, the ability to regulate blood pressure. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Cooking with NeoCell Collagen (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 4) 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Regenerative Finance: How to Invest in the Future of Food (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Superpass) 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — The Road to Gender Parity: Supporting Women’s Leadership for a Better Workplace (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Super Pass): Learn the career hurdles women typically encounter and why it is competitively advantageous to advance women to leadership roles. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM — Hall of Legends Award Celebration (Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Central): Take the time to celebrate and honor individuals who have made a major contribution to the industry. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Evening on the Plaza (Grand Plaza): Enjoy a concert from musical guest Antibabas.Mushroom Wisdom’s Annual Japanese Breakfast is on Saturday, March 10 at 8:00 AM: This year Mushroom Wisdom will be updating an “Old Friend,” Maitake, with insights from Mark J. Kaylor, Ph.D., CN, MH. (Location: The Sheraton Anaheim Plaza Ballroom at 1855 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806.)

Saturday, March 10

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM — Early Morning Yoga (Grand Plaza Stage) 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Healthy Soil Ain’t Sh!t Without Animals (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 3): Is regenerative agriculture possible without livestock? 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Saturday Morning Keynote: Anna Lappé (Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Central): Anna Lappé is the director, Real Food Media and co-founder of Small Planet Institute & Fund. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM — The Three Myths of the Food Industry (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 2): Learn about the myths promulgated by the food industry about non-communicable chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes that are hurting people more than they are helping and how things should change. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — Farm Bill 2018: What You Need to Know (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass) : Learn about the Farm Bill and how it affects agriculture and food policy in the U.S. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — The State of the Supplement Industry (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Super Pass): Learn sales and consumer trends in the supplement marketplace and what we may expect from the year to come. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Plant-Based Protein: Journey from “Meatless” to Elevated Cuisine (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 3) 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Climate Strategies: The What, Why, How of Regenerative Organic Certification (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 4): Learn about the newly released Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standards, a holistic agriculture certification that encompasses robust standards for ensuring soil health and ecological land management, pasture-based animal welfare, and fairness for farmers and workers. 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — GMO Labeling: Regulations & Market Opportunities (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Superpass): Non-GMO has become pretty much mainstream, but new genetic engineering techniques continue to emerge and international regulation is having difficulty keeping up. Find out how you can stay on top of current requirements and trends. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Beyond An Idea: How to Implement Transparency in Your Business (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Superpass) 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Digital Storytelling to Save the World: How Your Business Can Have True Impact (Marriott, Grand Ballroom F) (Superpass): Many of us have a compelling story, but what is the best way to communicate it? 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Trust, Transparency & Purity: Exploring Complex Biotech Issues in the Food & Nutrition Supply Chain (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Superpass) 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Hemp CBD: A Staple for the Practice of Radical Self Care (Marriott, Platinum Ballroom 5): Hemp-derived CBD is becoming an increasingly popular go-to for consumers to deal with a variety of conditions. Learn how to stay on top of this major trend and stay in line with regulations. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM — A New Frontier In Product Innovation: Whole Foods (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Superpass): Consumers are demanding whole food ingredients in their products. Learn more about the developing trend and the brands rising up to meet it. 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM — Clicks to Bricks: Marketing to the Omni-Channel Shopper (Marriott, Grand Ballroom F) (Super pass): Consumers don’t rely on one channel for their products. Instead, they find the ideal channel for each particular need. How can you create a seamless omnichannel approach to cast a wider net?Bioforce USA celebrates 20 years. Champagne and sweets on Sat. March 10 at 3 PM at booth #2817.4:00 PM – 5:00 PM — How to Develop a Strong Manufacturing Relationship & Why It’s Important (Marriott, Grand Ballroom G) (Super Pass) 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Technologies & Discoveries Disrupting the Supplement Aisle (Marriott, Orange County Ballroom 1) (Super Pass) 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM — Women in Naturals Networking Event (Hilton, Sunset Deck): Open to both women and men, this networking event honors the innovative and powerful women in our industry. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Evening on the Plaza (Grand Plaza): Enjoy a concert from musical guest Moon Taxi

Sunday, March 11

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM — Early Morning Yoga (Grand Plaza Stage)