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PRODUCTS EXPO GATHERS RECORD ATTENDANCE

BOULDER, Colo. -- Natural Products Expo West, produced by New Hope Natural Media here for the 20th year, reached new heights in its attendance and in the number of exhibiting companies, befitting an industry that is growing. The 1,455 exhibitors occupied 255,000 net square feet of space in the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif., March 24 to 26."All of our educational sessions were moved over,

BOULDER, Colo. -- Natural Products Expo West, produced by New Hope Natural Media here for the 20th year, reached new heights in its attendance and in the number of exhibiting companies, befitting an industry that is growing. The 1,455 exhibitors occupied 255,000 net square feet of space in the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif., March 24 to 26.

"All of our educational sessions were moved over, so you could really feel that hum of the show," said Kay Gazaway, trade show director for New Hope Natural Media. Last year, the educational sessions were held in nearby hotels because the convention center was under construction.

In terms of products on display, Paddy Spence, chief executive officer of Spins, San Francisco, said he saw continuing line extensions addressing the macro consumer trends, such as more organic products and conventional products being converted to organic, and an increase in the marketing of items as free of genetically engineered organisms.

"A lot of that has to do with the impending organic rules finally harmonizing what it means to be organic," he said, noting the presence of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman at the show as a definite plus.

"That's unprecedented. That sort of groundswell and support was exciting and will continue to stimulate product introductions," Spence said