Expo East celebrated innovations, ideas that help the industry grow

Informa Markets' New Hope Network hosted on Sept. 20-23 the final Natural Products Expo East show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors—including 425 first-time exhibitors—and nearly 16,000 attendees from retail, food service and other health and wellness sectors.

Attendees saw the hottest new products and trends that will shape the future of CPG as demand for natural and organic products pushing the industry to surpass $300 billion in sales this year.

As New Hope Network announced the end of Expo East, it celebrated a new show, Newtopia Now. This event will feature a new format to provide a more tailored and intentional approach to connection and product discovery. It will debut on Aug. 6, 2024, at the newly expanded convention center in Savannah, Georgia. 

Natural Products Expo West is scheduled for March 12-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

"We are humbled and grateful that for nearly 40 years Natural Products Expo East has launched new ideas, relationships, companies and alliances," said Carlotta Mast, SVP & Market Leader, Informa Markets' New Hope Network. "The only thing constant is change and, after talking with many of our buyers and brands, we've learned that the time is right for changing how we serve the industry by launching a new event in 2024 that will provide brands of all sizes, especially early-stage brands, with new opportunities to share their stories and products."

Expo East served as a valuable meeting place, drawing retailers from a variety of retailers—Target, Kroger, ALDI, Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Market and Cambridge Naturals, to name a few—who were looking for the latest foods and beverages, supplements and home products that are good for the planet and consumers.

Retailer Terry Brett, owner of Kimberton Whole Foods, said, "I very much enjoyed the show; the energy was the best yet since moving to Philly. The keynotes were excellent and meeting with old friends made it all the better. I look forward to seeing the changes next year in Savannah."

New Hope Network introduced significant new ways for exhibitors and retailers to have a more productive event: the launch of the new and improved Beacon Discovery platform; a more efficient and effective way for buyers and brands to make meaningful connections; and a partnership with VerticalXchange that created a brand-to-buyer matchmaking program. New Hope also cultivated a series of show floor tours this year, delivering a customized VIP experience through introductions to leading innovators, hot new products and emerging trends.

Exciting and interesting keynote addresses attracted broad audiences during Expo East:

Moving ahead to Newtopia Now

The event production team is constantly learning, developing and creating more ways to create a planet-forward trade show that focuses on waste diversion, energy and carbon offsets, and travel. New efforts included avoiding single use plastics through a partnership with r.Cup to bring reusable cups to various events throughout the campus and partnering with ChicoBag to provide official show bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

"For every show we strive to find new ways to produce events that represent our values around prosperity and health for all. Each year we get closer to that goal as a show and an industry and I am so proud of our efforts to support people and planet," said Lacey Gautier, VP Events, Natural Products Expo.

Winners of the prestigious NEXTY Awards, representing the most progressive, innovative, inspiring and trustworthy products, were announced live on the show floor for the first time since 2019. The winner of the Pitch Slam was superfood rice brand Jasberry.