23rd Annual Natural Products Expo West Coming to Anaheim Convention Center March 6-9.

Business Editors

Natural Products Expo West

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2003

Over 30,000 natural products retailers and manufacturers will gather at the Anaheim Convention Center March 6-9 at the nation's largest and oldest natural products trade show, the 23rd annual Natural Products Expo West.

The exhibition will showcase the very latest natural product launches from more than 30 countries.

Americans are spending more than $34 billion annually on the natural products at this show, which includes over 2,400 exhibits including organic foods, vegetarian foods and specialty foods; dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and specialty supplements; personal care products; natural living products; green building materials; and raw ingredients. The exhibit floor will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9.

New this year, "The Store of the Future" designed by Solterra Studios, a division of Retailworks Inc., will be displayed on the exhibit floor as a state-of-the-art prototype for retailers interested in building or remodeling with nontoxic, earth-friendly sustainable building products and finishes. Presented in partnership with OrderDog, the 2,000-square foot retail space will showcase the latest merchandising strategies for natural products, as well as trending information and back-room technology including inventory and demographic systems. Sponsors of "The Store of the Future" include Tom's of Maine, Natracare, Seventh Generation, Stonyfield Farm, Odwalla, ZAND, bioAllers, Herbs for Kids and NaturoBio.

Another welcome addition for attendees will be the all-new "Expo Spa," four show floor salons offering complementary manicures, facials, makeovers, pedicures and foot massages (all-important at a trade show where the exhibit floor space is the size of four football fields!) A fifth station will be available to attendees who simply want to relax and rejuvenate.

"The organic lifestyle is becoming more and more attractive to Americans who see their families' health and safety as their top priorities," said Fredrik M. Linder, president of show producer New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media, Inc. "An industry that began over 30 years ago as an esoteric specialty has become increasingly important to mainstream America. In fact, 69% of all Americans now purchase some natural products."

"We see a growing number of mainstream retailers and buyers shopping our show floor along with the natural products retailers," said Brian Henderson, senior vice president, trade show group, New Hope Natural Media. "Some of the fastest growing categories include personal care products, housewares and organic pet food, although dietary supplements and organic food still lead the way in sales volume."

On Thursday from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., herb experts Brigitte Mars and Feather Jones lead a tour of the Fullerton Arboretum and explain the varied medicinal uses of herbs (reservations required).

Also on Thursday from 12:30-5:30 p.m., samples of certified organic produce, dairy, beverages and more will be offered by more than 100 companies in a tent pitched outside the Anaheim Marriott Hotel called the "Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace."

The Keynote Address from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8th will be presented by Erin Brockovich, the real-life inspiration for the Oscar-winning movie that bears her name. She'll discuss the essential role that politics and business play in environmental issues and the future of our planet.

On Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., organic produce and education consultant Mark Mulcahy will lead a tour of a local organic farm and farmstand in San Juan Capistrano, explaining how the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program will affect the future of farming and retailing and how organic certification works (reservations required).

An on-site educational conference for retailers and manufacturers takes place Thursday, March 6 through Sunday, March 9, offering more than 40 workshops and seminars on a wide range of subjects led by internationally-known experts in business, science and medicine. For a complete listing of seminars and workshops, visit www.expowest.com.

Natural Products Expo West's exhibit floor is conveniently organized to make it easy for attendees to find the products they want, with areas that include:

-- Natural Living (featuring organic clothing, textiles, fibers, yarns and fabrics, environmentally safe products and pet products);

-- Food, including Organics (organic products, from fresh produce and dairy products to breads, cereals, meat and organic cotton products are featured and all exhibitors must provide organic certification); Specialty Foods (featuring food companies with natural gourmet or specialty food items); Vegetarian Foods (featuring a full range of vegetarian foods, including soy products and the growing meatless entree market);

-- Supplements (featuring vitamins, minerals, herbal products, green foods and sports nutrition products);

-- Personal Care (the entire range of natural, cruelty-free personal care products, including cosmetics, body and hair care products, massage oils, aromatherapy, and dental care products);

-- Green Building Supplies (earth-friendly building materials and finishes);

The Global Supply Marketplace is being held during Natural Products Expo West for the first time this year. This four-day supply-focused event at the Anaheim Convention Center consists of Nutracon (March 6-8), a high-level education conference for functional foods and nutraceuticals marketers, and SupplyExpo (March 6-9), a global health ingredient marketplace where buyers and sellers of ingredients and technologies can network.

Rasta legend Ziggy Marley will be the featured entertainment at a dance party on Friday, March 7th at 8:00 p.m. co-produced by White Wave and New Hope Natural Media. The event is free to all attendees and takes place in a tent outside the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.

Manufacturers and retailers who are interested in participating in Natural Products Expo West or the Global Supply Marketplace should contact the Expo Registration Department at 866.458.4935 (toll-free) or 303 390-1776 (local) or online at www.expowest.com.

The show is open only to members of the trade and to the media. If you would like to attend, you can download an Expo registration form by visiting www.expowest.com. Journalists wishing to cover the show should contact Jen Monan at Freeman Public Relations, 212 489-8585 or via e-mail to [e-mail].

ABOUT PENTON MEDIA, INC.

New Hope Natural Media is a division of Penton Media, Inc. (NYSE: PME), a leading diversified business media company that produces market-focused magazines, Web sites, trade shows, and conferences. Penton serves the Internet/IT; natural products/food/retail; manufacturing; electronics; design/engineering; management; supply chain/aviation; government/compliance; mechanical systems/construction; and leisure/hospitality markets. For more information, visit http://www.penton.com/