Updated: March 4, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: February 3, 2023.
Natural Products Expo West 2025 is the largest trade show featuring natural, organic, and specialty products, from food to packaging, CBD, health products, and more. Food trends and innovative new products make their debut here. Education tracks are top-notch, with plenty of extra events and exhibitions, from early morning yoga to concerts after a long day in the showroom. Expo West fosters a powerful sense of community among like-minded professionals. This is THE place to be. However, this is not open to the public and is meant for people in the trade only.
Having attended Natural Products Expo West for several years now, I’ve learned quite a lot. My experiences have been wild, frantic, chaotic, inspiring, and a wonderful learning experience that keeps me coming back for more. For anyone attending for the first time, there’s quite a bit of good information and anecdotes in here. For veterans, I hope there are a few new tidbits to inspire you for this year’s Expo West.
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Table of Contents
Are you a brand exhibiting at Expo West 2023?
Shoot me an email, and we can coordinate a media kit and sample exchange. These are some Expo West brands I’ve worked on Influencer/content creation campaigns with:
- Alter Eco
- Brooklyn Crafted
- Bubbies Pickles
- Clif Bar & Company
- Fresh Cravings
- Harmless Harvest
- Loma Linda
- Melt Organic
- Raised and Rooted
- Tohkin Food
- Waterloo
- Wholly Guacamole
Expo West 2025 Agenda and Events
Events and Education:
Tuesday, March 4 – Friday, March 7, 2025
Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Tradeshow:
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
All Exhibits: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, March 6, 2025
ACC Level 3 & North Halls: Buyer Only Hour, 9:00 – 10:00am
All Exhibit Halls: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Friday, March 7, 2025
ACC Halls A-E & Arena: Buyer Only Hour, 9:00 – 10:00am
All Exhibit Halls: 10:00am – 2:00pm
At Natural Products Expo West, attendees will have the opportunity to engage deeply with industry leaders on complex topics, immerse themselves in innovative breakthroughs, and propel the natural and organic movement forward. This event stands as a pivotal gathering for our sector, featuring dynamic educational sessions, networking opportunities rooted in community, and events you won’t want to miss. Here’s a structured overview of the key events, organized to enhance your understanding and anticipation:
Climate Day
Tuesday, March 4 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Center
Engage with visionary leaders to explore pivotal initiatives shaping the natural products sector. Climate Day offers a comprehensive program, including keynote presentations and an interactive Community Resource Fair & Reception, equipping your company with the knowledge and networks to advance its climate objectives in 2025 and beyond.
Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace
Tuesday, March 4 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Marriott East Lot
Experience an innovative outdoor event that merges the vibrant atmosphere of a traditional farmers’ market with the dynamic environment of an industry trade show. Discover a diverse array of certified organic products, highlighting the latest trends from renowned brands, all under the sunny California sky. This exclusive one-day marketplace is not to be missed.
Natural Products Business School
Tuesday, March 4 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Marriott, Grand Ballroom F | Registration Fee: $150
Tailored for emerging brands, this six-hour interactive program delves into strategies for expanding retail distribution and securing compatible funding. Participate in educational sessions, personalized workshops, and a networking lunch to cultivate valuable relationships with peers and industry experts. To enroll, select Natural Products Business School as an add-on during registration.
AHPA Herb Walk
Tuesday, March 4 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Fullerton Arboretum | Separate Registration Required
Join the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) for an annual guided tour through the 26-acre botanical gardens at Fullerton Arboretum, located on the California State University, Fullerton campus. The arboretum boasts over 4,000 plant species from around the globe. This unique opportunity allows participants to learn about culinary and medicinal herbs from esteemed herbalists. Complimentary bus transportation between the Anaheim Hilton and the arboretum is provided.
Expo West Block Party
Tuesday, March 4 | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
New for 2025, the Expo West Block Party offers an ideal kickoff to your Expo West experience. Enjoy live music, delectable food, and the chance to connect with new acquaintances and old friends in a lively setting.
Naturally Network Power Up Experience & Happy Hour
Tuesday, March 4 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Separate Registration Required
This kickoff event creates a space for emerging brand founders to engage with key industry leaders and professionals essential to the success of consumer packaged goods companies. The networking experience features industry partners offering best practices and resources that support retail readiness and brand growth in a relaxed environment. Light appetizers and drink tickets are included with the paid ticket.
Natural Products Expo West Pitch Slam
Tuesday, March 4 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Center
Witness pitches from ten standout emerging brands, followed by Q&A sessions with expert judges. This event culminates in a community celebration, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and toasting to purpose-driven innovation.
Early Morning Yoga
Wednesday, March 5 – Thursday, March 6 | 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Grand Plaza
Begin your day with rejuvenating yoga sessions on the Grand Plaza. Each morning features a session sponsored by industry partners, offering a serene start to your Expo West activities.
Keynote: The State of Natural & Organic
Wednesday, March 5 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
This keynote session provides valuable insights into product trends and industry developments. Inform your business strategy by discovering upcoming innovations and engaging in discussions that drive positive change within the natural and organic products sector.
An Organic Night Out: Honoring The Year’s Best in Organic
Wednesday, March 5 | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Separate Registration Required
Hosted by The Organic Center and Organic Voices, this remarkable ticketed event celebrates the achievements of organic brands and companies in communicating the impact of organic to consumers. The evening includes networking opportunities, dinner, and an awards show highlighting research and efforts advancing organic practices in areas such as consumer education, crop production, soil health, food safety, climate, and sustainability.
Keynote: HIVE Interactive’s AI Unleashed
Thursday, March 6 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Marquis Ballroom Center
Explore how artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the natural products industry. HIVE Interactive’s CEO and CCO will discuss how AI tools can enhance work processes, allowing professionals to focus more on creative endeavors within the community. An interactive workshop will follow on Friday morning for those seeking deeper engagement with generative AI platforms and discussions on the future of labor.
Evenings on the Plaza
Wednesday, March 5 – Thursday, March 6 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Grand Plaza
After a day of exploring Expo West, unwind with live music performances on the Grand Plaza. Each evening features a variety of musical guests, providing a relaxing and entertaining conclusion to your day.
Events
Climate Day 2024
Climate Day at the Natural Products Expo West stands as a pivotal event for those committed to reversing climate change within the natural products industry. An all-day affair, fast-paced sessions fill the agenda on all things climate policy related. This has always been one of my favorite aspects of Expo West, as Climate Day is incredibly inspiring and rewarding to attend.
Inspirational keynotes, networking with people doing very cool things, and the opportunity to communicate and share ideas on making a real impact in the world.
For more event information, visit Climate Collaborative.
The Organic Center – An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Best in Organic
Wednesday, March 5 | 6:00 – 9:00pm | Marriott, Marquis Ballroom Center
Join The Organic Center and Organic Voices/Only Organic for “An Organic Night Out: Honoring the Best in Organic,” a premier event celebrating the year’s most outstanding contributions to the organic movement. This event is designed to be the organic industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, offering a night of recognition, networking, and celebration. Another must-do for conference attendees.
Expo West Parties And Happy Hours
Tons of companies host happy hours at their booths, generally between 4 and 6pm. Some are more public about it, some are secret, some require an invite. They are generally easy to find. They can get crowded and can be a hit or miss on networking depending on how fast the booze is flowing. A few will offer more than booze. CBD cocktails were a big thing once year. I’ve also been offered mushrooms and acid.
Private after parties exist every evening off campus / outside of the convention center. They vary from airbnb rented houses, booked restaurants, hotel suites and event spaces, night clubs, a bowling alley, and then some. Try lining these up as fast as you can, as they do have space limitations.
J.E.D.I (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Community Happy Hour. Thursday, March 6 | 4:00 – 6:00pm | Arena Plaza
Expo West Block Party
Head to the Grand Plaza and the Arena Plaza on Tuesday afternoon to enjoy live music, amazing food and a chance to connect with new faces and friends! Tuesday, March 4 | 3-6 p.m.
Naturally Network Power Up Experience & Happy Hour
This kick-off event creates space for emerging brand founders to connect with key industry leaders, professionals, and companies integral to the success of a CPG company. The networking experience will feature key industry partners offering best practices and how-to resources that support retail readiness and growing a brand in a relaxed and facilitated environment. Separate registration required. Tuesday, March 4 | 5-7:30 p.m.
LGBTQ + Allies Networking Reception
Natural Products Expo West strives to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry for our LGBTQ+ peers and colleagues. Join community members and allies for an evening of drinks, networking, and fun! The Naturally Proud Network 501(c)(3) will be highlighting a local non-profit which has been advocating, supporting, and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.
Thursday, March 6 | 6:00 – 7:30pm | Hilton, California
My First Expo West Experience
Note: I wrote a good portion of this immediately after attending my first year.
I first attended the Natural Products Expo West in 2017. A good friend of mine attended for multiple years as an exhibitor, so I heard bits and pieces about the conference, but never realized what I was in for until I actually registered for myself. I had an incredible experience this first time, and knew it certainly wouldn’t be the last time I visited.
I became an official attendee while I was visiting Atlanta, Georgia. I distinctly recall sitting in a plush hotel bed with my laptop, feeling like I was missing something. Then it hit me – oh yeah, I have 2 days left to register as a blogger attendee. I should probably do that. So I did. I was accepted a lot faster than expected and hit the ground running, preparing before I even arrived back home.
I spent the latter half of my evenings setting up my schedule for each day, creating appointments to meet with exhibitors and talk about their products, and figuring out which of the education tracks I wanted to drop in on. Halfway through this process, I realized I should be documenting this particular conference. I jokingly called it a Vision Quest, not realizing how close to the truth I had hit the mark. A Vision Quest is a rite of passage in certain Native American cultures, undertaken by young males entering adulthood. This was by far the most prepared and organized I’d ever been in attending a conference – the metaphor felt appropriate. My adventure and journey to the start of the conference was incredible.
I knew from the get-go attending this conference would be significantly more expensive than other conferences I had attended, mostly due to distance. Luckily, my other parents had a welcome home 25 minutes from the conference I could stay at. I’ve adopted some additional sets of parents over the years – they are lovely to have – I call them my second parents because I’ve known them since preschool.
True to the sunk cost fallacy, I wanted to turn the trip down to Orange County into an adventure. I filled my time with adventures in the outdoors, creatively prepared local food, and spectacular wine. A trifecta of perfection for an adventurer such as myself.
The first day of Natural Products Expo West for me would officially be Wednesday, March 8th. It was a combination of Business School and Climate Day, leaving the exhibitors to set up for opening the following day and Friday.
If I drove directly to Anaheim, it would be a 6-hour drive, around 440 miles. Pretty brutal and boring. Wait a minute. What if I left a day early and camped halfway or three-quarters down? I’d get a fresh start in the morning and an easy drive. With recent heavy rains throughout California, there had been multiple mudslides and portions of Highway 1 were out. Highway 101 seemed like a viable option with a sleepover at Pismo Beach. I could camp out on the beach and wake up to the ocean. Yes. The first leg of my Vision Quest would begin Monday, March 6th. It had been raining throughout Northern California and I wanted to take advantage of the vibrant greenery by driving down 101 to Pismo.
Pre-Conference Adventures
I’ve made it an annual tradition to embark upon some epic pre-conference adventures.
Lodging for Expo West
Reducing Footprints and Waste
For Natural Products Expo West 2020, I wanted to take extra steps for reducing single-use waste of sample cups, forks, spoons, napkins,, and pretty much everything handed out as part of the sampling process from all the booths and vendors.
Inspired by the New Hope sustainability commitments and programs, I wanted to do my own part. That, and I’ve been told I’m an influencer, so I better do what I do best – influence by example!
I will have to dedicate some extra time to this whole process – and it will certainly be a learning curve, especially as I’ve never done this before. I had a brief warm-up period at another event I recently attended – The Village Feast.
- Cloth napkins
- Glass to-go containers or mason jars
- Metal utensils
- Carrying case for it all
I usually walk around with a backpack, so I’ll need a lightweight solution – I’m thinking of drawing some inspiration from camping gear.
Food Strategy – Beyond the Samples
Education Tracks
Websites and Resources
Natural Products Expo West – Official website
New Hope Network – Official media and blogger network
Climate Collaborative – Host of Climate Day at Expo West
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.
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