Jeremiah Bogenhagen (L) and Dan McSweeney
The Positively Natural Network, a non-profit association for independent natural product retailers, practitioners and related industry companies, has announced the sale of its Naturally Independent Expo (NIE) trade show to VRM Media, publisher of Vitamin Retailer, Nutrition Industry Executive and Natural Practitioner magazines.
Positively Natural President Jeremiah Bogenhagen and VRM President Daniel McSweeney finalized terms of the deal during the recent NIE trade show in Palm Springs, CA, following the deal’s approval by PNN’s board of directors and membership. Under terms of the agreement, VRM will handle all show management, operations and exhibitor sales for the Naturally Independent Expo, effective immediately.
Importantly, the Naturally Independent Expo shall remain as “The official trade show of the Positively Natural Network,” said Bogenhagen, with the continued full support of PNN and its members for the NIE trade show. He added that PNN will continue to hold its annual membership meeting and elections during future NIE shows.
Bogenhagen noted that a portion of all booth sales revenue from the NIE trade show will be paid by VRM to PNN to help fund the organization’s ongoing membership benefits and activities. The agreement will also help PNN in its effort to grow its membership, Bogenhagen added.
“We at PNN want to re-focus our efforts on building value for independent health food stores and others in being a Positively Natural member,” he stated. “Our Naturally Independent Minds focus group, for example, is one of those services that we now plan to expand for the benefit of our membership.”
VRM’s McSweeney said the new partnership with Positively Natural will help to grow the Naturally Independent Expo into a more successful industry event, with the goal to increase both retailer/practitioner attendance and exhibitor participation for next year’s show.
“We have a number of ideas and strategies in place that are ready to be rolled out for next year’s NIE show to make it the best show ever,” McSweeney remarked.
One key strategy, he noted, is to operate the Naturally Independent Expo as “the Education and Networking Show” for the health and natural products industry. “Retailer education, especially on ‘nuts and bolts’ topics for store owners, managers and buyers, will be a primary focus of the NIE show,” McSweeney stated. “And we will also incorporate some new Networking Events into the event for the benefit of exhibitors and attendees alike.”
2026 Show Dates Announced
VRM Media and Positively Natural Network are pleased to announce that the Naturally Independent Expo will return to the Palm Springs Convention Center next year on Nov. 13-14, 2026. Exhibitor contracts and space reservations are now being accepted, with booth assignments being made on a first come, first served basis.
The theme for the 2026 Naturally Independent Expo is “United We Stand: Bringing The Whole Industry Together!”
For more information please visit: www.naturallyindependentexpo.com, or speak to Russ Fields at (732) 432-9600 ext. 102 ([email protected]) or Barry Young at (732) 432-9600 ext. 103 ([email protected]).
