Orlando, FL—The Southeast Natural Products Association (SENPA) held its annual SOHO Expo in early December, and is said to have been its biggest tradeshow of all time. The tradeshow boasted an exhibit hall of more than 372 exhibiting companies and more than 3,000 attendees.

The educational program totaled 21 hours of learning and included 22 speakers. Talks were sponsored by supporters such as NOW Foods, Bluebonnet Nutrition, Natural Factors, CannaVest, Dr. Mercola Premium Products and others. The keynote speaker, sponsored by Garden of Life, was David Perlmutter, M.D.

Of note, SENPA’s 2015 President’s Award went to Scott Bass, head of the Global Life Sciences team at Sidley, Austin LLP. Bass was actively involved in the drafting of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and has coauthored two books on the Act.

Said Frances Drennen, president of SENPA, “Scott’s dedication to the natural products industry and Southeast Natural Product Association went far beyond just a job. All supply and independent retailers are reaping the benefits of his outstanding work in negotiations with Congress and the FDA during the drafting and implementation of DSHEA, and we greatly value and appreciate his dedication to our industry.”

New this year, SENPA held its first meeting of its Council of Past Presidents to make use of the “untapped wisdom and guidance within the past leadership of SENPA.” SENPA says these past leaders will serve as an advisory committee to the board of directors and “will participate and share in the continued success and future of SENPA.”

SENPA also announced the results of its most recent board elections. Michelle DuFresne of KeHE Distributors is President-Elect; the Retail Board of Directors will include Jackie Davis of Columbia Health Foods, Marie Montemurro of Lovey’s Natural Foods and Café and Renee Southard of Organic Marketplace;  the Supplier Board of Directors will include Lester Burks of Life Line Foods, Ryan Kruse of Garden of Life and Ryan Sensenbrenner of Enzymedica.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine January 2016