Anticipation has been building for weeks now as the dates for Natural & Organic Products Europe – the biggest annual gathering of natural and organic industry professionals — have grown closer. With the show just over a week away  — April 13 & 14, Olympia,London — and with over 600 exhibitors representing all aspects of the natural and organic industry, it’s shaping up to be the biggest and best to date.

 

Natural Products Europe has a reputation for the being the big show with a friendly atmosphere. With over 7,000 natural and organic professionals attending over the two days there is certainly a unique buzz on the showfloor. And with literally hundreds of new products getting their first outing at Olympia there is something for everyone to see — and, in many cases, taste.

 

Creating a buzz
Of course, Natural & Organic Products Europe is much more than just the UK’s biggest trade show for the health food trade— it’s a total industry event. There are the prestigious Natural & Organic Awards held at Chelsea Football Club, the networking and social event of the year. There’s a packed seminar programme fronted by some of the best known names in the natural and organic business. And there are competitions, book signings and tastings galore!

 

Retail buyers flock to the show to see the hundreds of new products getting their first outing. It’s a great chance to spot upcoming category trends and for stores to get early orders in for the next wave of best-sellers. And with over 600 exhibitors ‹ showing everything from organic food to natural beauty, vegetarian cuisine to innovative textiles, and food supplements to holistic remedies — Natural & Organic Products Europe has something for everybody.

 

Another big draw is the sensational seminar line-up which features some of the biggest names in the natural and organic industry. Leading natural health experts — including Patrick Holford, Jack Challem, Gillian McKeith and Jan de Vries — will join top figures from the organic food and natural beauty sectors, including Patrick Holden, Jo Fairley, Robert Tisserand and Abi Weeds.

 

There will be a host of top chefs in attendance — including Antony Worrall Thompson, Barny Haughton, Marco Pierre-White and Arthur Potts Dawson — showing their support for organic and sustainable food production.

 

Check out what’s hot
New products are the life-blood of any successful retail business. And it’s the literally hundreds of exciting new products — many being seen for the first time — that draws 1000s of retail buyers to Natural & Organic Products Europe.

 

So for many vistors The New Product Showcase is the must-see feature of the show. It’s both a comprehensive showcase of best new products coming onto the market and a brilliant way for retailers to spot tomorrow’s best-sellers Today.

 

Relocated this year with a brand new layout, and with a much larger floor-space area, the New Products Showcase is set to be an even bigger draw for retailers.  And while you’re there, take the opportunity to vote for your favourite products within the display. All votes are independently counted at the close of show on Sunday, and the winners are announced Sunday night at the Natural and Organic Awards.

 

What a beauty!
The phenomena that is natural beauty also turned out to be one of the Industry’s largest growth sectors last year, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down in 2008. The proliferation of small start-up companies,
impressive product launches and the use of innovative new ingredients has resulted in an even bigger Natural Beauty Pavilion at this year’s Natural & Organic Products Europe, with more first time beauty exhibitors showcasing their ranges then ever before.

 

And an exciting new feature of the Natural Beauty Pavilion is the arrival of the Spa Village, which is sponsored by Dead Sea Spa Magik, and marks the world-wide launch of Dead Sea Spa Magik’s new product range.

Also new for 2008 is the Natural Beauty Theatre — sponsored by The Natural Beauty Yearbook — which features leading industry specialists delivering topical and educational seminar talks. Addressing issues, such as harmonisation for all European regulations, the highs and lows of bringing an organic beauty product to market, and highlighting hot new trends for the coming year, a trip to the Natural Beauty Theatre will truly enhance your visit to the show. Seminar sessions are organized by Organic Monitor.

 

World beaters
Natural & Organic Products is now firmly established as a leading showcase of the very best in natural and organic foods from around the world. It means that specialist retail buyers can get a first look — and taste — of a huge range of overseas food, drink and healthcare products that offer a real point of difference over mainstream lines.

 

This year there are new stands from the Lazio region of Italy (that’s in addition to the fabulous Italian Organic Pavlion), Malaysia and Argentina.

There is a major presence again from the Netherlands, Wales and biodynamic specialists Demeter (look out for more in-demad Demeter-labelled products than ever at Olympia). Australasia is at the show in real force, with big representations from New Zealand and Australia — supported for the first time by London-based Austrade.

 

Slip into something more ethical
Following on from its popular debut last year, the Clothing and Textile Pavilion is yet another exciting feature at Natural & Organic Products Europe for 2008.

 

The textiles sector has come on leaps and bounds in the last year, with consumer awareness regarding both organic and fair trade materials rising sharply as a result of more high street brands adopting ethical fashion.

 

Companies such as Luma, Greenfibres and Lana will be showcasing a range of clothing, bedroom and bathroom linen, and babywear made from an array of different fabrics, while newcomers Bambo and Bamboo Baby are taking up the mantle for one of 2008?s key trends — bamboo textiles.

 

Wholesaler heaven!
This year at Natural & Organic Products Europe, there is a better than ever wholesaler presence, with the likes of Suma, Marigold, Infinity and Queenswood all gathered at Olympia to talk exclusively to independent health store retailers.

 

And following on from the success of previous shows, Community Foods has not only doubled the size of its impressive stand in order to accommodate yet more visitors, but it will be providing plenty of mouth-watering tasters to try as you pass by. Keep an eye out for other new features and exclusive offers for 2008.  

 

• Save £20 — Register FREE online at www.naturalproducts.co.uk or call 0844 906 022