Natural Products Expo West is not just an event; it's a vibrant ecosystem where the pulse of the natural, organic, and healthy products industry beats the strongest. Each year, it transforms into a marketplace of ideas, innovations, and connections, hosting an eclectic mix of exhibitors that span the spectrum from food to personal care, and from wellness to sustainable living. Here, you'll encounter companies committed to organic and non-GMO foods, plant-based and vegan offerings, and functional foods that promise more than just nourishment—they aim to enhance health through ingredients like probiotics and superfoods.

The expo is a treasure trove for beverage enthusiasts, showcasing everything from non-alcoholic delights like kombucha and functional waters to organic wines and spirits. Health and wellness take center stage with an array of supplements and nutritional products, all rooted in the philosophy of clean, natural living. Personal care has its spotlight too, with skincare, cosmetics, and hair care products that champion clean beauty, sustainability, and innovation through ingredients like peptides or plant extracts.

But Expo West is more than just products; it's a hub of innovation where technology meets tradition. Beauty tech gadgets, sustainable packaging solutions, and educational services from consultancies and certification bodies alike are all part of the rich tapestry. For startups and emerging brands, this event is the ultimate showcase, offering platforms like the Organic Pavilion or Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace to introduce their vision to the world, often leading to pivotal industry connections in pitch slams and competitions.

This convergence of diverse exhibitors reflects a broader industry movement towards meeting consumer demands for ethical, health-focused, and environmentally conscious products. Expo West has been the birthplace for brands that have since become industry titans, like Clif Bar and Honest Tea, proving that this event is not just about what's new but what can become timeless in the natural products landscape.

Natural Products Expo West attracts a wide variety of exhibitors from across the natural, organic, and healthy products industry.

Here are some of the types of exhibitors you can expect to see:

Food and Beverage

Organic and Non-GMO Foods: Companies specializing in organic produce, grains, snacks, and beverages.
Plant-Based and Vegan Products: Foods and drinks that cater to the growing demand for plant-based diets.
Functional Foods: Products with added health benefits like probiotics, superfoods, or adaptogens.

Beverages

Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Including kombucha, functional waters, teas, and coffee alternatives.
Organic Wines and Spirits: For those interested in natural and organic alcoholic beverages.

Health and Wellness

Supplements: From vitamins to herbal supplements, focusing on natural and clean label products.
Nutritional Products: Protein powders, bars, and other nutritional aids.

Personal Care

Skincare: Organic, natural, and clean beauty products, including those with innovative ingredients like peptides or plant extracts.
Cosmetics: Makeup with clean, sustainable, and ethical formulations.
Hair Care: Products ranging from shampoos to hair treatments, emphasizing natural ingredients.

Lifestyle and Home Products

Natural Cleaning Products: Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning supplies.
Sustainable Living: Items like reusable containers, eco-friendly utensils, and environmentally conscious home goods.

Innovation and Technology

Beauty Tech: Gadgets or tech solutions for skincare and beauty routines, including AI-driven tools or AR for product testing.
Sustainable Packaging: Companies showcasing innovative packaging solutions to reduce environmental impact.

Education and Services

Consultancies: Offering services in areas like sustainability, marketing, or product formulation for the natural products industry.
Certification Bodies: Organizations that certify products as organic, non-GMO, vegan, etc.

Emerging Brands and Start-Ups

New Product Launches: Many new and emerging brands use Expo West as a platform to introduce their innovative products to the market.
Pitch Slams and Competitions: Events where new brands can gain visibility and potential partnerships.

Specialty Areas

Organic Pavilion: Dedicated space for exclusively certified organic products.
Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace: An event within the expo focusing on organic products, often with a farmers market vibe.

This diversity in exhibitors reflects the industry's focus on health, sustainability, innovation, and meeting the evolving demands of consumers who prioritize both the efficacy and the ethical sourcing of their products.

Natural Products Expo West has been a launching pad for several now-famous brands in the natural and organic products space.

Here are some notable companies:

Clif Bar: Before becoming a household name in energy bars, Clif Bar started exhibiting at Expo West in the early 1990s. The brand was introduced by Gary Erickson, who was inspired by his own need for a better energy snack during his bike rides.
Honest Tea: This brand, known for its organic and fair-trade teas, debuted at Expo West in 1999. Co-founded by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff, Honest Tea has since grown into a major player in the beverage industry, eventually being acquired by Coca-Cola.
Stonyfield Farm: Although Stonyfield was founded in 1983, it used Expo West to expand its reach. The organic yogurt brand, led by Gary Hirshberg, grew significantly through its presence at the expo, becoming one of the leading organic dairy brands.
KIND Snacks: KIND Bars, now famous for their healthy snack bars, made their first appearance at Expo West in 2004. Daniel Lubetzky's vision for snacks that were both healthy and tasty found a receptive audience at the expo, leading to significant growth.
Chobani: While not starting at Expo West, Chobani used the platform in its early days to expand its reach. Hamdi Ulukaya's Greek yogurt brand made significant connections and gained visibility through Expo West, helping it grow into a major player in the yogurt category.
Annie's Homegrown: Annie's, known for its organic macaroni and cheese, has also been a long-time exhibitor at Expo West. The brand's focus on organic and natural foods resonated well with the show's audience, aiding its expansion.
GT's Living Foods: GT Dave's kombucha brand, GT's Living Foods, gained significant traction after showcasing at Expo West. The brand's kombucha was one of the pioneers in bringing fermented tea to the American market.
Blue Diamond Growers: While Blue Diamond is not a new company, its Almond Breeze almond milk line was significantly boosted by its presence at Expo West, helping it become a leader in the plant-based milk sector.
Seventh Generation: This brand, which focuses on environmentally friendly cleaning products, has used Expo West as a platform to introduce new products and expand its reach in the natural products industry.
Alter Eco: Known for its sustainable and fair-trade chocolate, Alter Eco leveraged Expo West to introduce its products to a broader audience, emphasizing its commitment to ethical sourcing and environmental impact.

These brands illustrate how Expo West serves as a critical stage for small companies to gain visibility, make industry connections, and grow into well-recognized names in their respective categories. Their success stories highlight the expo's importance in the natural products industry's ecosystem.

Natural Products Expo West is primarily a trade show, meaning it's designed for industry professionals rather than the general public. Here's what you need to know about attendance:

Who Can Attend

Retailers: Supermarkets, health food stores, natural product retailers, independent grocers, and e-commerce platforms.
Distributors: Those who distribute natural, organic, and health-related products.
Manufacturers: Companies looking to source ingredients, packaging, or services, or to network with other manufacturers.
Service Providers: Including consultants, marketing agencies, and companies offering services in logistics, sustainability, or product development.
Media: Journalists, bloggers, and influencers in the natural products, health, and wellness sectors.
Investors: Venture capitalists, angel investors, and others interested in the natural products industry.
Educators and Researchers: Those from educational institutions or research organizations focusing on health, nutrition, or sustainability.

General Public

Typically Not Allowed: Expo West does not generally allow the general public to attend. The focus is on business-to-business interactions.

Registration Requirements

Badge Registration: Attendees usually need to register, providing information about their company, role, and sometimes proof of their business involvement in the industry
Fees: There is typically a registration fee for attendees, although this can vary based on when you register (early bird discounts are common) and your category (e.g., retailers might have different rates from manufacturers)

Exceptions and Special Events

Public Days or Events: Sometimes, there might be special events or days where the public can attend, often linked to educational sessions or product samplings, but these are not common for Expo West.
Press Days: Media might have special access or days dedicated to them for exclusive content creation.

How to Attend if You're Not in the Industry

Work for a Company: If you work for or can gain sponsorship from a company that qualifies, you might be able to attend under their registration.
Volunteer: Occasionally, expos offer opportunities to volunteer in exchange for access to the event.
Press Pass: If you can show you're a legitimate journalist or influencer in the space, you might qualify for a press pass.

For the most current and specific information, it's best to check the official Expo West website or contact New Hope Network, the event's organizer, for details on registration, attendance criteria, and any public access opportunities for the 2025 event.

What is a Co-Packer?

A co-packer, short for "contract packager" or "co-manufacturer," is a company that manufactures and packages products for other businesses. These services are particularly popular in the food, beverage, cosmetics, and supplement industries where companies might not have the facilities, expertise, or capacity to produce their products in-house. Co-packers handle the entire production process, from sourcing raw materials and manufacturing to packaging, labeling, and sometimes even distribution.

Why is it Called That?

The term "co-packer" is derived from the concept of "co-manufacturing" or "contract manufacturing." Here's a breakdown:

"Co-": This prefix suggests collaboration or working together. In this context, it indicates that the company works in partnership with another business to produce goods.
"Packer": Refers to the packaging aspect of the production process. Packaging can be a significant part of the product's appeal, especially in consumer goods where branding, protection, and usability are crucial.

Therefore, "co-packer" succinctly describes the cooperative relationship where one company (the co-packer) packages goods on behalf of another (the brand or product owner). This collaboration allows brands to focus on marketing, sales, and product development while relying on the co-packer for production efficiency, quality control, and sometimes regulatory compliance.

The use of co-packers can offer numerous benefits:

Scalability: Allows businesses to scale production up or down without investing in their own manufacturing facilities.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for capital investment in manufacturing equipment and labor.
Expertise: Co-packers often have specialized knowledge in production techniques, packaging design, and regulatory compliance.\
Flexibility: Brands can experiment with different product formulations or packaging without long-term commitments.
Time to Market: Speeds up the process from product development to market availability.

In essence, co-packers play a pivotal role in the supply chain, especially for startups, small businesses, or even large companies looking to outsource production for various strategic reasons.

Here are some famous co-packers notable for their work in snacks and beverages, which you might consider mentioning in your blog:

Beverages

Big Brands Beverage Co-Packers: Known for providing co-packing services for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. They've worked with companies introducing new products to the market or established brands needing experienced co-packers.
Wildpack Beverage: They specialize in co-packing a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, offering services like canning, sleeving, and logistics. Their capabilities include handling complex and functional beverages.
Universal Pure: Offers beverage co-packing services, including juice, tea, cold brew, and more. They also provide High Pressure Processing (HPP), labeling, and cold storage, with facilities in California and Connecticut.

Snacks

YouBar: Known for developing and manufacturing innovative protein and nutrition bars. They have experience with major retail stores across the U.S., offering full-service bar manufacturing from R&D to shipping.
Ricardo Food Group: Acts as a sourcing firm with alliances with over 600 US-based food, beverage, and bakery manufacturing facilities. They're particularly noted for their expertise in plant-based and healthy snacks.
Castle Co-Packers: While they service beverages, they are also known for their work in snack foods, providing both bottling and packaging solutions. Their specialization includes shelf-stable snacks like jerky.

General Co-Packers with Notable Snack and Beverage Lines

Stapleton's: Known for both hot and cold fills in PET bottles for beverages but also offers private label services which include snacks. They're recognized for their high fill rate and on-time delivery.
Assemblers Inc.: Provides a range of services including liquid filling, bar manufacturing, and snack food packing. They work with a wide variety of products, from snacks to condiments.

These co-packers have established themselves through quality, flexibility, and sometimes through innovation in their respective fields. They serve as examples of how co-packing can help brands scale, innovate, or simply manage production more efficiently. Including these in your blog could provide readers with insights into the backbone of many successful food and beverage brands.

Wrapping Up

As we conclude our exploration of Natural Products Expo West, it's clear that this event is more than just a gathering; it's a catalyst for change within the natural products industry. Here, the future is not just anticipated; it's actively shaped through innovative products, sustainable practices, and the forging of partnerships that will define the next wave of consumer goods.

Whether you're a retailer looking to stock the shelves with the latest in health and wellness, an investor scouting the next big thing, or simply a consumer passionate about ethical living, Expo West offers a glimpse into a world where commerce meets conscience. Here's to the continued growth, innovation, and integrity of the natural products community, inspired by the connections and ideas fostered at this unparalleled event.

Launching Legends: How Expo West Shapes the Natural Products Market