Expo West FAQs: The need-to-know answers for a great show

You have questions about this year’s Natural Products Expo West: When is it? Where do I park? What do I do with my kids during the show? Read on to find the answers to these and many other questions.  

I hear the days for Natural Products Expo West have changed. When is it?

The big news this year … the days of the annual event have shifted to Tuesday through Saturday. (Take Sunday off for a little fun after a busy show week. Disney is right there. And the beach isn’t far.) So, the official dates are March 5-9. Education fills Tuesday (and the rest of the week). Hot products and the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace open Wednesday. The main show floor opens Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Is there anything else new for Expo West 2019 I should know about?

The Hot Products pavilion has reopened on the Hilton’s second level. The exhibits will open a day before others and run March 6-8. If you see an “H” listed as a booth location, it means the exhibitor can be found in the Hilton. The North Halls mark their second year in operation. Booths there are noted with an “N.”

And just how big is Expo West?

New Hope Network, which produces the show, reports you will find 3,500 booths and estimates that 88,000 people will attend this year.

Where do I need my badge at Natural Products Expo West?

Related:Next in natural: The Natural Products Expo West 2019 NEXTY Awards finalists

To ease traffic going in and out of the exhibit halls, you need to present a badge and ID to enter the Anaheim Convention Center, not the show floor. Look for the designated doors. Exhibitors and Super Pass holders have separate entrances. You will also need your badge to enter education sessions and on-site events.

Click here or on the map to download a PDF of the image.

Where do I get my badge?

Badge pickups are located at the convention center’s arena, Anaheim Hilton, in the white tent in the Marriott parking lot, in the Hyatt Regency lobby and at Angel Stadium.

Popup booths will open as needed across the outdoor plaza areas. If badge pickup lines get busy, we’ll roll these your way and scan your confirmation barcode to print your badge.

I’m driving my car to the Anaheim Convention Center. Where is the best place to park?

It will be extremely congested near the convention center and parking can be even more challenging as the convention center has expanded and the event offers more outdoor activities.  

To avoid the chaos, we recommend parking for free at nearby Angel Stadium. Free shuttles are available throughout the day from the stadium to the Anaheim Convention Center and back. To take the shuttle from the convention center to Angel Stadium, load near Katella Avenue (by the Arena). Bonus: Avoid on-site registration lines by printing your badge at Angel Stadium after you’ve parked.

More information about transportation and travel is available on the Expo West website.

Can I register additional teammates in Anaheim?

Yes. Full-service registration will be available at the Hilton and education upgrades are available at the Marriott. While this service is available, Expo West organizers recommend registering your staff before you arrive at the show to save time and avoid lines. If you do need to register someone on-site, don’t forget to bring valid business proof and identification. Registration prices increase on March 4. 

I brought my children so we could go to amusement parks after the show. What options do I have for child care while I’m at the show?

Teenagers who are 16 or older must register as exhibitors or attendees for the appropriate adult price. Children 15 and younger are allowed to attend Natural Products Expo West with a children’s badge and adult supervision (one child per registered adult). The cost for a children's badge is $25. If you need child care on-site, this is also available for $25 a day. To register, print badges or check children in to child care, go to the Hilton, Lower Level. Expo West participants have the opportunity to purchase discounted Disneyland before or after the show.

How do I navigate the show floor?

The show floor is expansive, so it’s best to plan your route in advance. The Exhibitor List on the Expo West website is helpful as are show maps available on-site. With all of the new exhibition space, though, you might need reading glasses to navigate by map. You also can search for your favorite products, exhibitors and even ingredients, then create a personalized favorites list.

For ease, we recommend downloading the Natural Products Expo app for your phone or tablet. With the app, you can access the Exhibitor List, education schedule, events and navigation tool, all while on the go.

I love collecting product samples and bringing them home to try. How many am I allowed to take?

Attendees are limited to one sample bag per day. If you find that you’re getting too many samples to fit in one bag, encourage exhibitors to ship the samples to you. This way, you don’t have to lug bags of food on the airplane and you’ll make sure to have the exhibitor’s contact information if you plan to place an order post-show. If you still have more than one bag at the end of the day, don’t worry. We’ll donate the food to local food banks and charities so it will go to a good cause.

Is it hard to find places to eat while at Natural Products Expo West?

There are restaurants nearby (think Cheesecake Factory, Anaheim Brewery, Joe’s Crabshack) but they fill up quickly. If you’re planning a dinner outing or team meal, call ahead and reserve space. If you need a quick bite to eat, the Hilton Food Court across from the convention center might satisfy your need. And you’ll find more food trucks than ever in the outdoor plazas and near the Sheraton parking lot.

What are Natural Products Expo West essentials?

Water! Business cards. The Natural Products Expo app. Phone charger. Comfortable shoes. Snacks (you cannot survive on samples alone). NFM.