Photo gallery: Natural Products Expo East 2015 highlights

This was the calm before the storm of 25,000 attendees that flooded the Baltimore Convention Center Sept. 16-19. Check out the highlights here.

The American Herbal Products Association Herb Walk on Wednesday visited the nearby Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) herb garden and James Duke’s Green Farmacy Garden.

Joan Norman, owner of all organic One Straw Farm in White Hall, Maryland, gave a tour to retailers, manufacturers and suppliers during the Farm-to-Market tour Wednesday morning.

Heavenly Organics, maker of 100 percent organic honey products, won the Pitch Slam that capped off a day of learning at the Natural Products Business School.

Meanwhile, on the third-floor terrace, an array of organic and natural product companies showed off their products in a festival-style atmosphere.

Off-site, the Organic Trade Association hosted its annual dinner at the Port Discovery Children's Museum, where it presented three industry leaders with Organic Leadership Awards.

Yogis gathered on the Hilton Lawn to practice before Thursday's activities.

Ratigan shared his journey from TV show host to global security activist, including his hydroponic farming project.

Up in the NEXT Pavilion, which opened half an hour before the main show floor on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, vendors showed off innovative products that are new to the natural products market.

The show drew 1,363 exhibitors—more than 400 of which were new brands.

So. Many. Samples.

Outspoken alternative farmer Joel Salatin kicked off Friday with a captivating talk about the orthodoxies of our time that future generations will question.

Education tracks on Thursday and Friday covered topics including ingredient reform, GMO labeling, natural and the media and conscious business practices.

This annual event brings together men and women alike to celebrate women in the natural products industry.

Dumpstaphunk rocked the Hilton lawn on Thursday night, followed by Rusted Root on Friday.

Early risers on Saturday got to hear lawyer Michele Simon's advice on how brands and retailers can get involved in important policy conversations happening in Washington, D.C.

This hard-working team hopes you had a great show and is looking forward to seeing you at Natural Products Expo West.

This hard-working team hopes you had a great show and is looking forward to seeing you at Natural Products Expo West.