From March 12-16, Natural Products Expo West 2024 returned to Anaheim Convention Center near Los Angeles, California. Though the weather was not as warm as previous years, many thousands of stakeholders thronged the show halls and events at the leading trade show in the natural, organic and socially conscious products industry.
The International Probiotics Association was well represented: Sandra Saville, Director of Education and Communications, and Kristina Paraskevakos, Member and Event Coordinator, enjoyed connecting with IPA member companies and exploring the many new offerings in the biotic space.
First up and always top of mind, Climate Day on Tuesday focused on innovative ways retailers could take meaningful climate action.
Keynote speeches, educational talks and panels (numerous), pitch slams, herb walks, yoga on the plaza, and happy hour concerts rounded out the rest of the schedule.
The bounty inside the exhibit halls was so rich that it may be easier to describe what was not available. As anticipated, organic, plant-based, gluten-free, keto, paleo, non-GMO, and countless other health-based options were available. However, the variations frequently introduced novel elements, extending into the realms of snacks, confections, and even skincare products. Added protein also seemed to have a larger presence, reflecting the desires of today’s consumer.
As in the past years, probiotics remained a favored choice both as stand-alone offerings and as expanded ranges from established companies. Prebiotics were frequently added to enhance their benefits. Fermented goods were showcased in yogurts, kefirs, kombucha, and new selections of fermented pickles and cabbage, among others. Numerous IPA member companies participated in the exhibition, showcasing their products and engaging in the activities.
NEXTY Awards were bestowed on the very best of new brands exhibiting at the Natural Products Expo West. See the YouTube video here.
Keynote speeches drew big crowds to celebrate the State of Natural & Organic, popular cookbook author Chef Sean Sherman (The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen) and motivational speaker, author and podcaster Jay Shetty.
Once again, IPA enjoyed the discovery of new and established probiotic and prebiotic products while engaging with entrepeneurs across the spectrum. All in the name of good health, IPA sees a bright future for the industry.