-By Kristin V. Montalvo

Show Dates & Times:

Education
Oct. 15-18, 2008
Trade Show
Oct. 16-18, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

More than 25,000 natural, organic and healthy products retailers, buyers, thought leaders and trend-spotters will congregate in Boston, Oct. 15-18, 2008, for the 24th annual Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America. The East Coast's largest natural and organic products trade show -- featuring products from more than 1,200 exhibiting companies -- is moving to Boston in 2008 to accommodate growth, attendee preference and environmentally friendly practices.

The growth of the trade show mirrors natural products industry sales, which reached $62.4 billion in 2007, according to The Natural Foods Merchandiser's 2007 recently released Market Overview, with the Northeast leading the way in natural products retailers' sales. Products from the region will be highlighted at the show with the introduction of the "New England's Best" category, in the sixth annual New Products Showcase Awards.

"With the move to Boston, we're able to provide a venue for retail buyers and manufacturers to conduct business in a progressive city that is so important to natural products," said Fred Linder, president of New Hope Natural Media.

This year, show organizers are implementing a comprehensive greening plan that includes the following:
• A program that encourages and recognizes exhibiting companies to reduce their environmental impact at the show through trash diversion, travel offset and sustainable booth design.
• The use of recyclable, biodegradable and sustainable materials whenever possible, including jute attendee bags and signage created from 90 percent recycled and fully recyclable materials.
• Utilization of bulk containers and reusable or compostable service ware and cups for all food service.
• 32,000 compostable badge holders instead of the plastic standard, which will divert about 810 pounds of plastic from the landfill -- the equivalent of 16,200 plastic bottles.
• An extended on-site recycling program that includes traditional recycling, shipping material recycling and composting.
• The "Travel Green and Save Green" program, which will fund travel for up to 1,000 people traveling 300 miles on public transportation. The program will reduce 884 tons of carbon emissions (see BEF Carbon Calculator: http://www.b-e-f.org).
• A renewable energy sponsorship that, through the purchase of Green Tags, will provide 122,780 kWh of clean, renewable energy credits to offset the energy used during the show.
• A paperless pressroom.

"By partnering with the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, our trade show vendors, and our exhibitors, this year's show will prove to be our greenest yet, and will set the standard for improvement in the years to come," said Erica Stone, show manager for Natural Products Expo East.

Reducing environmental impact is a major initiative for the trade show industry as a whole; and a joint project between major meeting organizers including New Hope Natural Media and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to define an industry standard for green meetings.

Education Sets Precedent in Natural and Organic World
From stellar keynote speaker Frances Moore Lappé to small-group breakout sessions with industry leaders -- whether you are working with local producers or competing in the global marketplace -- keep up with current trends and new perspectives to put your business in the headlines.

Wednesday Retailer Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
The Wednesday Retailer Workshop, $95 ($75 for NPA East members), provides category buyers and managers direct interaction as they receive focused, intensive training and advice from industry experts and peers. Bring your whole team and get your employees the training they need along with take-aways they can reference throughout the year. Included this year is an advanced retailer track focused on the challenges faced by experienced store owners. The workshop opens with "The One Minute Manager" featuring Victoria Halsey and closes with ZingTrain's "Creating a Vision of Greatness."

Keynote Speaker: Frances Moore Lappé
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Grand Ballroom
Over 30 years and three million copies after Diet For A Small Planet taught America the social and personal significance of a new way of eating, it is still a complete guide for eating well. In her keynote, Lappé will stress how her philosophy remains valid, and how food remains the central issue through which to understand world politics.

Featured Speaker: Jason Dorsey
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Room 253 B&C
Twenty-nine-year-old Jason Dorsey has gathered experience and conducted extensive research to enable him to develop a framework and specific strategies that business leaders can immediately use to maximize the value of their Generation Y employees. Dorsey will delve deeper into the insights shared in Gen Y @ Work - An Insider's Guide to Retaining and Motivating Generation Y and address your business concerns pertaining to this perplexing issue.

Healthy Baking Seminar East
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
This educational seminar, colocated with Natural Products Expo East and presented by Baking Management and Modern Baking magazines, provides bakers with ideas, technical information and marketing assistance to capitalize on the healthful bakery foods market.

Two Wednesday Tours Add Value and Fun to Your Expo East Experience
• Organic Farm Tour of Decas Botanical Synergies
Tour a local certified organic cranberry farm and their processing facility. Organic certification and merchandising ideas for your store are a few of the topics this tour will cover and inspire. Box lunch is served and space is limited. Cost: $60.00.
• Retail Store Tour
Board the bus and explore the best natural products and specialty stores in the Boston and Cambridge area. This year, the Retail Store Tour will visit Debra's Natural Gourmet, Cambridge Naturals, and Pemberton Farms. Lunch will be provided. Cost: $60.00.

To register for Expo East, visit www.expoeast.com