Expo East Brings Industry to DC
WASHINGTON--Natural Products Expo East was held on schedule here Oct. 11 to 14, becoming the first convention to come to the capitol city since the Sept. 11 attacks. It was the first Expo East held here, after a 10-year run in Baltimore. According to the show organizer, New Hope Natural Media, total registration was 16,844 including 900 exhibiting companies. The figure represents 88 percent of last years registration of 19,133.
The people I spoke with were glad to be there, not only to do business but to show the world that we are moving forward and doing our part to keep the economy going, said Fred Linder, executive vice president of New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media. Some of our exhibitors told me they were able to spend quality time with serious buyers, and it paid off.
There were three exhibit areas--a downstairs hall, the main show floor and a hall at the back corner of the main floor. While there were many open areas in each of the halls, New Hope used the space to add conference areas and to move forward some of the exhibitors from other areas of the floor.
Next years Expo East is set for Oct. 3 to 6, to be held again at the Washington Convention Center. Information on this years show and details on the 2002 event are available on the New Hope Web site (www.expoeast.com).
