Our Process
Exhibitor Application Process
In order to register as a new Exhibitor at one of our Expos, companies must first successfully demonstrate compliance with our Standards program by completing the Exhibitor Application process.
- Companies are considered “new” exhibitors if they have not exhibited at an Expo event in the past 12 months (past-12-month exhibitors are exempt from this application process).
- To submit an application and pay the non-refundable $95 application fee, fill out the New Exhibitor Application. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee a booth at Natural Product Expos. Your application must be completed and approved before you can reserve a booth (or be added to a waitlist).
- The application requires submission of product packaging (for finished goods), marketing materials, and any required third-party certification documentation.
- One application is sufficient to exhibit at Natural Products Expo West and Expo East and Natural Products Expo Virtual events.
- Current/approved exhibitors do not need to complete new applications to add products to their booth; they can be added by emailing [email protected].
If our Standards team identifies any labeling or claims issues, we will contact the applicant with an explanation highlighting the areas of non-compliance, along with suggested resources to help resolve the issue.
For more information about the Expo Exhibitor Registration process, please see the Exhibitor Resources pages on the Natural Products Expo West or Expo East and Natural Products Expo Virtual sites.
Exhibitor Review Process
Our dedicated Standards team reviews all companies exhibited at our Natural Product Expos. While at the outset this was seen as a “policing” effort, today
this is done in the spirit of education and self-regulation. We work in partnership with exhibitors to help them address and correct any issues we uncover.
Pre Show
New exhibitors apply & receive pre-approval of product, packaging & marketing materials
At Show / Online*
NHN Standards team reviews product, packaging, and marketing materials from presented by exhibitors.
*For Virtual-only exhibits, the Standards team may do minor revisions to a non-compliant product description and/or remove non-compliant documents (marketing). Virtual-only Exhibitors will be immediately notified of any changes made to their online exhibit.
Post Show
NHN Standards team notifies exhibitors by email with explanations of the non-compliance and opportunity to revise materials intended for exhibit at future events. If the same non-compliant marketing materials are also present in the exhibitor’s virtual booth space, the NHN team may remove these documents concurrently with post-show communication.
In the future, returning exhibitors will be asked to provide materials in advance of Expos to streamline the review and feedback process.
In support of our sustainability efforts, product packaging, marketing materials, and communications will increasingly be done electronically.
Advertising Review Process
Our dedicated Standards team also reviews all print and digital advertisements, sponsored content/marketing program materials. Some artwork is submitted through an Informa ad portal through which Standards can review, reject or approve the ads submitted there. Sponsored content and other marketing program materials are sent directly to the Standards team for review. Standards feedback is provided with text recommendations if any revisions are required to deploy/post the materials. As with our exhibitors, we work in partnership with advertisers to help them address and correct any issues we uncover.
Did you know?
How Standards Evolve
We constantly monitor trends and engage expert resources to evolve these Standards and Guidelines. With so much recent innovation and new technologies, we regularly seek input and guidance from a select group of industry experts and consultants who will more formally collaborate with us to keep our Standards and Guidelines current within this rapidly changing environment. For more about the latest trends we're talking about, see the Our Thinking page.
Of Further Note: New Hope Network reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any company or product for inclusion in its trade shows and publications. Compliance with these standards does not exempt exhibitors from fully complying with applicable federal requirements set forth by government agencies.
If you need assistance meeting regulatory requirements, we’d like to make you aware of our in-house MarketReady Insights consulting program which offers a more comprehensive review than our Standards program. Explore these services at www.marketreadyinsights.com.