Don't miss these events at Natural Products Expo East 2012

Natural Products Expo East continues to build upon last year’s return to Baltimore by adding more special events and improving upon well-loved convention activities.

Wednesday

New this year, attendees can register to take a deep dive into sustainable seafood issues on a special fisheries tour on Wednesday, Sept. 19. The daylong tour explores the area’s oldest crab processing plant and a facility that maintains sustainable oyster aquaculture. Cost of the tour is $75 and includes a sustainable seafood lunch. Learn more and register at expoeast.com.

Learn from your peers during the annual retail store tour on Wednesday, Sept. 19. This year’s tour features Roots Market, Bark Naturals and Common Market. Cost is $55 and includes lunch at Great Sage natural cafe. Learn more and register at expoeast.com.

Find the tools for success during the Retailer Workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 19. This year’s workshop features three business tracks focused on relationship marketing and social media; new product trends and insights; and store-level strategies for improving customer services and employee training and education. Cost of the workshop is $95 ($75 for NPA East members). Learn more and register at expoeast.com.

Take a new angle on your business with Gerry O’Brion. A business development consultant from What the Big Brands Know, O’Brion will give the retailer workshop keynote 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in room 322/323. (O’Brion keynote is open to only Retailer Workshop registrants.)

Thursday

Cast a wider net at the Community Celebration and The Women in Naturals networking events. The Community Celebration kicks off Expo East with Mediterranean flavor from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, in level 100, Charles Street Lobby. 

Friday

Help change the tide for organic by attending the Organic Research and Promotion Program Town Hall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, in room 314. Organic Trade Association representatives will discuss an initiative to promote the organic brand and provide research for the continued health of the industry.

The Women in Naturals event (held 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21, in room Camden Terrace) features Green Halloween founder and Celebrate Green author Corey Colwell-Lipson, EcoMom Alliance founder Kimberly Pinkson, and Hot, Rich and Green author Rebecca Harrell Tickell.

Be a part of Expo East’s first Stall Crawl as exhibitors play host to special food and beverage stations on the show floor from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21.

For a head-bobbing good time, be sure to catch Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, this year’s featured concert, held from 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Sept. 21, at Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place. The nine-piece Brooklyn band blends gospel, soul and funk in a deeply authentic, heart-felt sound that’s sure to move you.

Saturday

Catch a screening of Food Matters, a documentary film in which leading nutritionists, naturopaths, scientists, doctors and medical journalists explore food choices that matter to the world’s health and well-being. The film plays from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, in room level 400, ballroom. (Watch the trailer at foodmatters.tv)

Vote for your favorite new products on display at Expo East. Retailer voting for the annual New Products Showcase Awards begins on Thursday, Sept. 20. Winners are announced from 2 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.