New Hope Network is Cancelling Natural Products Expo East and Launching Spark Change

According to officials, New Hope Network has announced Natural Products Expo East will be postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19.

“We are making this decision now—more than three months before the event—because we want to do what’s best for you,” company officials said in a statement. “We’ve learned from surveys and conversations that many community members including retail buyers, are not confident they will feel safe traveling to or attending a large event in September. A potential lack of buyer participation, along with the show changes we would need to make to ensure the health and safety of the Expo East community, would have prevented us from delivering the quality experience and return on investment our exhibitors, sponsors and the broader community deserves and that we strive to provide.”

The statement continued, “In a year that has now brought the cancellation of both Expo West and Expo East, we know that many natural and organic product brands and buyers are missing the opportunity to connect directly on product innovation and the stores behind these new offerings; and we know that the community at large is eager to spend time together learning, conversing and convening with new friends and old. To fill this void, New Hope has created a digital events and content series called Spark Change.”

Beginning in August, Spark Change is expected to guide the natural and organic products community through a virtual journey of product discovery, education and connection. Brands and innovators will have the opportunity to get in front of retail buyers, consumer influencers, investors and others via digital storytelling and product sampling. Retailers will be able to easily navigate new innovation based on theme, trend and product category, along with meeting the people behind these offerings. Additionally, the entire community will have access to interactive and actionable conference education and digital networking.