The Positively Natural Network (PNN), a not-for-profit trade association for independent natural products retailers, manufacturers, brokers and related businesses, has announced new dates for its annual Naturally Independent Expo (NIE). The event will now be held Nov. 14-15 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palms Springs, CA.
“We strongly feel that these new Expo dates in mid-November will be much better for everyone all-around,” said Jeremiah Bogenhagen, president of PNN. “It is a perfect time of year for retailers to place orders for the winter season and heading into the first quarter of 2026. And the weather in Palm Springs is nearly perfect at that time of year!”
The theme for this year’s Naturally Independent Expo is: “United We Stand! Bringing Together Independent Retailers and Natural Products Vendors.”
The NIE show is introducing a number of new features to this year’s event for the benefit independent health food stores, Bogenhagen said. Included among these new initiatives are:
- A new “Retailer Support Program” whereby qualified natural products retailers can apply to receive a free hotel room night in Palm Springs, valued at up to $250. The program is open to retail store owners and buyers exclusively, and a limited number of free hotel room nights are available. To apply for the free hotel room program, visit the show website at positivelynatural.org.
- Another new initiative is a $2,000 (minimum) “Show Dollars” raffle that will give qualified retailers an opportunity win up to $200 in vouchers that stores can apply to the cost of product orders they place at the show. One raffle will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 during the show’s Education Day, while a second raffle will take place just before the opening of the show floor exhibits on Saturday, Nov. 15.
- On Friday Nov. 14, a full-day “Nuts & Bolts of Natural Products Retailing” educational workshop will be held. Free to all retailer attendees, this series of expert speakers and panel discussions will focus on ways to improve various aspects of retail business operations, such as store sales, inventory management, budgeting, ordering, product knowledge, employee training, customer relations and competing with “big box” stores. Chairperson of the retailer education workshop is Starkie Sowers, director of education at Clark’s Nutrition, a successful natural products store with three locations in Southern California. The education program is co-chaired by Dan McSweeney, publisher of Vitamin Retailer magazine.
- Free meals and social events for retailers will take place throughout the two-day Expo, including a lunch and dinner on Friday, and a Saturday morning breakfast sponsored by Bluebonnet Nutrition, with special guest speaker Carl Germano.
- A Grand Prize Raffle for an opportunity to win a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise will be held at the end of the show. Bogenhagen noted that all retailers attending the show will receive one raffle ticket when they pick up their badge at the show, while additional raffle tickets can be received when visiting exhibitors’ booths at the show. Retailers need to be present at the close of the show when the Grand Prize raffle takes place in order to win.
- Admission to the Naturally Independent Expo is free for all independent health and natural products retailers. In addition, retail attendees who are not yet PNN members will receive a free one-year membership to the Positively Natural Network (normally $100 annual dues).
“We are committed to making this year’s Naturally Independent Expo a successful event for everyone, and urge all independent natural and health food stores to join us in Palm Springs this November,” Bogenhagen remarked.
Natural product manufacturers should take note that exhibit space is still available for the Naturally Independent Expo, with tabletops priced at just $750 and a limited number of 10×10 booths also available for $1,000.
VRM Media is the Exhibit Sales Coordinator and Media Sponsor for the 2025 Naturally Independent Expo. For further information or to reserve a booth, contact Russ Fields at (732) 432-9600, ext. 102 (email RussF@vrmmedia.com), or Barry Young at (732) 432-9600, ext. 103 (email Barry@vrmmedia.com).
To register for free to attend the 2025 Naturally Independent Expo this Nov. 14-15 in Palm Spring, CA, visit the show website at: www.positivelynatural.org.
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