Show News
Naturally Independent Expo Returning to Palm Springs!
Education, networking and a celebration of independent retail highlight the 2026 event this month.
The natural products industry will gather in Palm Springs, CA, this month as the Naturally Independent Expo (NIE) returns to the Palm Springs Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14.
This year’s event marks the first Naturally Independent Expo under the ownership and management of VRM Media, publisher of Vitamin Retailer, Nutrition Industry Executive and Natural Practitioner magazines. VRM acquired the show from the Positively Natural Network (PNN) following the 2025 event, however the Naturally Independent Expo continues as the official trade show of PNN with the full support of its membership and board of directors.
The 2026 NIE show brings together independent natural products retailers, holistic practitioners, manufacturers and other members of the industry for two days focused on education, product discovery, networking and strengthening the independent natural products channel.
“The Naturally Independent Expo is intentionally designed as a more intimate event where retailers and exhibitors have time for meaningful conversations,” noted Dan McSweeney, president of VRM Media. “Past retail attendees have cited the relaxed pace as a major benefit, allowing them to discover new products, place orders and build vendor relationships without feeling rushed.”
Education Takes Center Stage
The NIE show officially begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 with a free Welcome Breakfast in Primrose Ballroom C sponsored by Arthur Andrew Medical and opening remarks by McSweeney and PNN executive director Jeremiah Bogenhagen.
At 10 a.m., educational sessions kick off with Sarah Super of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) hosting a retail panel on “Differentiating Your Store From the Competition.” Joined by Starkie Sowers of Clark’s Nutrition, Riverside, CA, and Alina Hornfeldt of Mastel’s Health Foods, St. Paul, MN, the panel will explore practical ways independent retailers can distinguish themselves and strengthen customer loyalty.
At 11 a.m., Dr. Rani Banik, MD, IFMCP, will present “The Eye-Brain Connection: Nutrients for Vision and Brain Health + Migraine,” sponsored by OpticaMD.
At noon, a free Lunch & Learn sponsored by Nature’s Way will feature a talk by health and nutrition icon Dr. Earl Mindell, co-founder of Great Earth Vitamins and author of The Vitamin Bible, about “Tips for Selling Dietary Supplements to Your Customers and Patients.” Dr. Mindell will also be doing a Free Book Signing of The Vitamin Bible on Saturday Nov. 14 inside the exhibit hall.
Friday afternoon is also highlighted by a 1:30 pm Keynote Address by Elizabeth Pepple of Clemson University, “The Gut-Metabolic-Weight Triangle: Rebuilding the Body’s Own Signals in the GLP-1 Era,” sponsored by Saanroo.
Additional sessions during Friday’s Education Day include Sylvie Beljanski, president of The Beljanski Foundation and author of Winning the War on Cancer, who will speak on the topic of “New Scientific Breakthroughs to Fight Cancer Stem Cells,” sponsored by Maison Beljanski; and Dan Curtin presenting “The Next Frontier in Optimized Sleep,” sponsored by Arthur Andrew Medical.
The show’s opening day concludes with a social gathering from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a Welcome Reception in the Primrose Ballroom Foyer along with an Exhibit Hall Preview, giving attendees an early opportunity to meet exhibitors, discover products and reconnect with industry colleagues in a social setting.
Saturday: Awards, Education and the Exhibit Hall
The Naturally Independent Expo’s second day on Saturday Nov. 14 begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast sponsored by Bluebonnet Nutrition and the VRM Media Awards Ceremony. Clark’s Nutrition will receive Vitamin Retailer magazine’s Retailer of the Year Award, recognizing the Southern California retailer’s longstanding commitment to natural products, consumer education and independent retailing. Natural medicine authority and best-selling author Dr. Michael Murray will be honored as Natural Practitioner magazine’s Practitioner of the Year.
Following the awards, nutrition expert Carl Germano, CNS/CDN, will present “Nutritional Support for Brain Health” at 9 a.m., sponsored by Bluebonnet Nutrition.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Exhibit Hall (Primrose Ballrooms A-B) will be open exclusively to retailers and practitioners. The four-hour trade-only period gives attendees time to discover new products, meet with current suppliers and have one-on-one conversations with exhibiting companies. At 11 a.m. in the exhibit hall, attendees can also sit in on a live edition of The Natural Retailer Podcast, hosted by George Goodwin of Goodwin’s Organics.
New for 2026: Consumers Join the Expo
Two of the natural health field’s best-known educators will speak on Saturday afternoon in Primrose Ballroom C as the Naturally Independent Expo opens its doors to health-conscious consumers from the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley region. At noon, Murray, co-author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, will present “Flavonoids: Nature’s Biological Response Modifiers.” At 1 p.m., Mindell returns to the stage to give his top recommendations on “Living Longer and Healthier Through Diet and Nutrition” (sponsored by NOW Foods).
Beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, the exhibit hall will be open to health-conscious consumers while simultaneously remaining open to natural product retailers and practitioners.
The “Natural Wellness Consumer Expo,” co-sponsored and promoted by Clark’s Nutrition, gives participating brands an additional opportunity to introduce products, provide samples, answer questions and interact directly with health-conscious consumers. The Naturally Independent Expo will then conclude at 4 p.m.
A Show Built Around Independent Retail
When VRM Media acquired NIE, one of its goals was to build upon the show’s strengths as an education and networking event for the natural products industry. Rather than trying to replicate a massive national trade show, the Naturally Independent Expo is intended to create an environment where independent retailers, practitioners and brands can get to know one another, discuss challenges and opportunities, learn together and develop relationships that continue after everyone leaves Palm Springs.
For independent natural products retailers, the message heading into November is simple: come to Palm Springs, learn something new, discover products, meet the people behind the brands and spend two days with an industry community that understands independent retail.
Registration for qualified natural products retailers and holistic practitioners is free and includes the education program, exhibit hall admission and scheduled meals and social events.
For complete information and free attendee registration, visit NaturallyIndependentExpo.com.
SHOW AT A GLANCE
What: 2026 Naturally Independent Expo
When: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 13-14, 2026
Where: Palm Springs Convention Center, Primrose Ballroom, Palm Springs, CA
Who Should Attend: Natural and health food retailers, buyers, store managers, holistic practitioners and other natural products industry members
Cost: FREE registration for qualified retailers, holistic practitioners and industry members
Includes: Education sessions, exhibit hall admission, networking events, scheduled meals and social events
Official Trade Show: Positively Natural Network (PNN)
Produced By: VRM Media
Information & Registration: NaturallyIndependentExpo.com
Don’t Miss These Show Highlights
FRIDAY, NOV. 13
9 a.m.—Welcome Breakfast sponsored by Arthur Andrew Medical
10 a.m.—“Differentiating Your Store From the Competition”—hosted by Sarah Super, INFRA with Starkie Sowers, Clark’s Nutrition and Alina Hornfeldt, Mastel’s Health Foods
12 p.m.—Lunch & Learn with Dr. Earl Mindell—“Tips for Selling Dietary Supplements to Your Customers and Patients” sponsored by Nature’s Way
1:30 p.m.—Keynote: “The Gut-Metabolic-Weight Triangle: Rebuilding the Body’s Own Signals in the GLP-1 Era”—Elizabeth Pepple, Clemson University; sponsored by Saanroo
4:30-6:30 p.m.—Welcome Reception & Exhibit Hall Preview
SATURDAY, NOV. 14
8:30 a.m.—Breakfast & VRM Media Awards Ceremony sponsored by Bluebonnet Nutrition
9 a.m.—“Nutritional Support for Brain Health”—Carl Germano, CNS/CDN
10 a.m.-2 p.m.—Exhibit Hall Open Exclusively to Retailers & Practitioners
11 a.m.—“The Natural Retailer” Live Podcast—Hosted by George Goodwin, Goodwin’s Organics
12 p.m.—Dr. Michael Murray—“Flavonoids: Nature’s Biological Response Modifiers”
1 p.m.—Dr. Earl Mindell—“Living Longer and Healthier Through Diet and Nutrition” sponsored by NOW Foods
2-4 p.m.—Natural Wellness Expo Consumer Day & Exhibit Hall
4 p.m.—2026 Naturally Independent Expo concludes
Free Education Program Available To Retailers Attending Naturally Independent Expo In Palm Springs
The Naturally Independent Expo will be held November 13-14, 2026 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The conference and trade show consists of holistic-focused health education and natural products exhibits from leading natural products industry brands.
Registration to attend the Naturally Independent Expo is free to all qualified natural product retailers. In addition to the free education program, the show offers free entry to the exhibit hall along with several free meals and social events during the two-day event.
Free Education Day
The Naturally Independent Expo opens on Friday, Nov. 13, with a full day of educational topics about retailing and natural health! Educational sessions will additionally be offered on Saturday, Nov. 14. Here is the complete schedule for the free education program.
Friday, Nov. 13:
• “Differentiating Your Store From The Competition” panel discussion hosted by Sarah Super, INFRA (10-10:50 a.m.).
• “The Eye-Brain Connection: Nutrients for Vision and Brain Health + Migraine” by Dr. Rani Banik, MD, IFMCP, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sania (11-11:50 a.m.), sponsored by OpticaMD.
• “Tips for Selling More Dietary Supplements To Your Customers” by Dr. Earl Mindell, R.Ph., M.H., Ph.D. (12:30-1:20 p.m.); sponsored by Nature’s Way Products.
• Keynote Address, “The Gut-Metabolic-Weight Triangle: Rebuilding the Body’s Own Signals in the GLP-1 Era” by Elizabeth Pepple, Clemson University (1:30-2:20 p.m.); sponsored by Saanroo.
• “New Scientific Breakthrough to Fight Cancer Stem Cells: How Powerful Botanicals Can Help Fight Metastasis” by Sylvie Beljanski, author of Winning The War On Cancer and president of The Beljanski Foundation (2:30-3:20 p.m.); sponsored by Maison Beljanski
• “The Next Frontier In Optimized Sleep: The Gut-Brain Axis” by Dan Curtin (3:30 -4:20 p.m.); sponsored by Arthur Andrew Medical.
Saturday Nov. 14:
• “Nutritional Support for Brain Health” by Carl Germano, CNS/CDN (9-10 a.m.); sponsored by Bluebonnet Nutrition.
• “Living Longer and Healthier Through Diet and Nutrition” by Dr. Earl Mindell, R.Ph., M.H., Ph.D. (1-2 p.m.).
The Naturally Independent Expo is owned and operated by VRM Media (publisher of Natural Practitioner, Vitamin Retailer, and Nutrition Industry Executive magazines). The annual event is the official tradeshow of the Positively Natural Network.
To register for the Naturally Independent Expo, visit the official show website at: www.NaturallyIndependentExpo.com
“Differentiating Your Store From the Competition” Education Session Added to Naturally Independent Expo
A panel discussion on “How to Differentiate Your Store From the Competition” has been added to the free Retailer Education Day programming at the upcoming 2026 Naturally Independent Expo in Palm Springs, CA, show organizers have announced.
The new education session will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 13 by Sarah Super, board member of the Positively Natural Network (PNN) and director of growth and member adoption for the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA). Several successful and innovative West Coast retail stores including Clark’s Nutrition will also participate in this timely panel discussion.
“This education session will explore practical ways independent retailers can stand out in a crowded marketplace by creating a unique shopping experience, building customer loyalty, and highlighting the strengths that make independent retail different,” Super remarked.
Additional highlights of the educational program at Naturally Independent Expo include: a lecture on “How To Increase Sales of Nutritional Supplements at Your Store” by Dr. Earl Mindell, founder of Great Earth Vitamins and author of The Vitamin Bible; and an address on “Nutritional Support For Brain Health” by nutrition expert Carl Germano, CNS/CDN.
Renowned Author and Nutrition Expert Dr. Earl Mindell To Speak At Naturally Independent Expo
Topics include longevity and increasing dietary supplement sales
Dr. Earl Mindell, author of 65 health and wellness books including the international best-seller Dr. Earl Mindell’s Vitamin Bible, has been named as a Plenary Speaker for this year’s Naturally Independent Expo (NIE) taking place Nov. 13-14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, CA.
Dr. Mindell will present two can’t-miss educational lectures at the event. On Friday, Nov. 13, he will address health food retailers and natural practitioners on the topic of “Increasing Dietary Supplement Sales To Consumers and Patients.” And on Saturday, Nov. 14, Dr. Mindell will offer his latest health advice during a discussion on “Living Longer and Healthier Through Diet and Nutritional Supplements.”
A master herbalist, nutritionist and pharmacist, Dr. Mindell is a recognized expert on nutrition, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal remedies. His Vitamin Bible, first published in 1979 and updated multiple times through the years to keep pace with new discoveries in nutrition and health, has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 34 languages. His many other books about health, anti-aging and longevity include Dr. Mindell’s Herb Bible, Prescription Alternatives, Dr. Mindell’s Memory Bible and Dr. Mindell’s Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar.
Dr. Mindell has been a guest health expert on more than 4,000 television and radio shows, including “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and CNN.
He has been featured in countless magazine and newspaper articles, such as Prevention, Shape, Men’s Health, Time and Women’s Day.
Prior to writing the Vitamin Bible, in 1971 Dr. Mindell co-founded the original Great Earth Vitamins health food store in Dallas, TX. Great Earth was one of the industry’s earliest dedicated vitamin and supplement retail stores in the United States. The retail business quickly grew to over 200 stores throughout the U.S. Dr. Mindell sold Great Earth in 1995.
At age 86, Dr. Mindell continues to write and lecture about health and nutrition to educate people about the importance of nutrition in maintaining health and well-being.
“Today, as a nutritionist, spokesperson, lecturer and author, I’m still excited about the world that had opened to me, over 40 years ago,” Dr. Mindell said. “It’s a world that continues to grow with new nutritional discoveries daily, and I’m eager to share it!”
A free book signing event with Dr. Mindell will also take place during the Naturally Independent Expo.
Registration to attend the two-day trade show including all educational events is free to health/natural food stores and holistic practitioners.
Pre-registration Now Open for Naturally Independent Expo
Topics include longevity and increasing dietary supplement sales
Free pre-registration to attend this year’s Naturally Independent Expo in Palm Springs, CA, is now open to all health and natural products retailers as well as holistic practitioners! To register, simply visit the official trade show website and click on “Attendees.”
The Naturally Independent Expo, now under the management of VRM Media (publisher of Vitamin Retailer and Nutrition Industry Executive), will take place Nov. 13-14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The annual event is the official trade show of the Positively Natural Network (PNN), but membership in PNN is not required to attend the show.
Designed as a more targeted alternative to large-scale trade shows, the Naturally Independent Expo (NIE) offers attendees and exhibitors more “quality time” together to foster stronger relationships between product brands and retailers/practitioners, the show organizer stated.
Positive Feedback
“The great thing about the Naturally Independent Expo is that you not only get a good dose of education on store operations and products, but you also get actual facetime with the vendors that exhibit at the show,” remarked Doug Frank, general manager and buyer for Rainbow Acres of Los Angeles, CA. “We get the opportunity to develop relationships with many new brands that support independent retailers, something there is very little time for at the larger shows. I highly recommend attending the 2026 show!”
“I enjoyed the ease of organization and not feeling rushed in conversations at booths,” noted Emily Hubbard, natural living category manager of West Hollywood, CA-based Bristol Farms, an attendee at last year’s NIE Show.
Jake Kiviko, owner of Nature’s Finest Natural Foods in Mesa, AZ, was another retail attendee at last year’s NIE Show. “It’s great to be with like-minded retailers in a smaller setting so you can actually get facetime with brands and have meaningful conversations,” he said. “The brands that exhibit at Naturally Independent Expo tend to be really understanding of the challenges independents face and are committed to working with us.”
Kiviko added that, “I found several new products for our stores at the show.”
On the brand side, the Naturally Independent Expo has proven to be a positive experience and worthwhile investment, according to several companies that exhibited at last year’s show.
“The show brings in some good independent retailers,” said Bob Barrows, vice president of Bluebonnet Nutrition. “We will be back in Palm Springs for the 2026 Naturally Independent Expo.”
“The NIE Show offers an up close and personal experience, unlike Expo West,” remarked Christel Goins, director of natural channel sales at Boiron USA. “We are on board for 2026!”