Approved Categories

Definition: Owns or works for a retail store (this includes online stores). Store must sell more than one manufacturer’s brand or family of brands to consumers. 

You do not qualify as a Retailer if you primarily sell one product line or brand or if you are an e-commerce platform  provider. According to our company classifications, if you sell only one manufacturer’s products, you are classified as a Manufacturer. If you are platform provider, you will be approved in Business Services.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website that directly sells multiple branded products to an end consumer (not applicable if you primarily sell one product line or brand; see Manufacturer)
• Product catalog dated from the past year 
• Recent invoices from multiple manufacturers
  

Business Types include:

• E-tailer
• Independent/COOP/Natural Product
• Chain Natural Products Store
• Gourmet/Specialty Products
• Personal Care
• Independent Grocer
• Conventional Supermarket
• Discount/Mass Merchandiser
• Chain Drug Store/Pharmacy
• Independent Drug Store/Pharmacy
• Mail Order Catalog
• Convenience Store
• Pet Supply Store/Grooming

Definition: Those involved in the field of medicine whether traditional or alternative.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website describing the individual/business’s practice or showing menu of multiple services and costs
• Current Business License showing business function. This must be a copy of the document itself (EIN, tax or sales licenses are not accepted). 
• Current & Active Medical License (must be a copy of the document itself)
• Product Catalog or Services Menu  

Business Types include:

• Registered Dietitians (RD)
• Registered Dietitians students
• Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDN)
• Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR)
• Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians Registered (NDTR)
• Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP)
• Certified Health Coaches (CHC)
• Certified Holistic Health Counselor (CHHC)
• Certified Personal Trainers (CPT)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Doctors of Medicine (MD)
• Naturopathic Doctors (ND)

Definition: Includes Wholesalers, Distributors, Brokers, Importer and Exporters of branded products. To qualify as a Distributor, you must be a third party distributor or representative of more than one manufacturer's finished, consumer-ready brand in addition to any brands owned by your company.  

If you distribute ingredients or other materials to be used in the manufacturing of finished products, see Supplier/Raw Ingredient Distributor. If you distribute packaging for use in a finished good, you are classified as Business Services. If you distribute or represent only one manufacturer's brand line, see Manufacturer. Distribution companies providing transportation, warehousing, and logistics qualify under Business Services. Import/export companies providing regulatory/licensing/compliance support also qualify under Business Services. 

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website that sells finished products (from multiple manufacturer’s brand lines) to a Food Service provider, Retailer or Health Practitioner.
• Brokerage agreements from multiple manufacturers (must be current and signed & dated by all parties) 
• Recent order forms showing multiple manufacturer’s product/brand lines

Business Types include:

• Wholesaler of Finished Products
• Importer/Exporter of Finished Products
• Broker of Finished Products
• Third Party Distributor of Finished Product

Definition: Any business operating in the industry related to preparing, distributing, or selling prepared/ready-to-eat foods. Includes restaurants, cafeterias, and catering operations.  

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing menu or catering services provided
• Food & Beverage License (must be a copy of the document itself and current)
• Recent Health Inspection Report
• Culinary Certificate or Degree 

Business Types include:

• Full Service Restaurant  
• School/University
• Tea Room/Coffee House
• Hotel/Resort/Airline  
• Quick Serve Restaurant
• Caterer/Private Chef  

Definition: Provides raw materials, ingredients, or equipment for manufacturing finished products. This includes farms, suppliers of food materials, raw minerals, and machinery. This includes distributors of products listed above, used in the manufacturing of a finished product.

According to our company classifications, Distributors sell finished products that are ready to be sold to an end consumer. Suppliers provide ingredients for manufacturers to use in finished products.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website that sells supplies, ingredients and/or equipment
• Product Catalog
• Order Forms

Business Types include:

• Raw Ingredient Producer/Supplier
• Ingredient Importer/Exporter
• Equipment Supplier
• Farm/Grower

Definition: Manufactures finished products that are ready for an end consumer. OR a third party that produces a finished product for a company (Contract Manufacturer). OR private label company utilizing contract manufacturers. 

According to our company classifications, if your company owns the brand name on all products sold, you are classified as a Manufacturer.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing brand or family of brands
• Product catalog

Business Types include:

• Food
• Beverage
• Cosmetic/Personal Care
• Natural Living/Home/Textile
• Pet Products/Animal Nutrition
• Vitamin/Mineral/Herb/Supplements
• Pharmaceuticals
• Nutraceuticals
• Contract Manufacturer

Definition: Companies who provide support to Retailers, Distributors, Health Practitioners, Manufacturers, or Suppliers.  Individuals who work for or represent people or companies in the previous categories in areas such as transportation/logistics, demonstration/sampling, promotions, packaging, and brand management. If you optimize sales, provide fulfillment services, or otherwise grow brands on retail platforms, you qualify in Business Services.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing services 
• Brochure or other documentation detailing services offered

Business Types include:

• Consultant
• Advertising/Marketing/Branding/PR
• Government Agency
• Financial Institution/Investment Bank
• Not for Profit
• Association
• Packaging/Design
• Publisher
• Laboratory/Testing
• School/University Research
• Legal/Regulatory
• Amazon Consultants
• Other Within the Industry (must specify)

Definition: Business investors are organizations or a group of people who give capital to start or grow a business and in exchange for this, they gain some control of the business and formulate agreements.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website detailing company function
• Proof of C Corp or LLC standing (must be a copy of the document itself)
• Annual Company Statement

Business Types include:

• Private Equity Fund
• Venture Capitalist/Corporate Investor
• Angel/Individual Investor
• Hedge Fund
• Peer-to-Peer/Crowdfunding

Definition: Any attendee not directly or indirectly involved in the Natural Products Industry.

Press: Classified as working journalists in print, broadcast and digital media for established trade or consumer publications, online or broadcast media outlets. This includes reporters, writers, editors, producers, photographers and camera crews.

Possible badge titles for this category: Press, Editor, Reporter, Writer, Anchor, Broadcast Producer, Host

Freelancers: Must have published or broadcast within the past 12 months on topics related to the natural and organic products industry and health. Please submit clips with your byline or a link to articles with your byline as part of the badge registration process. If on assignment, please include a letter of assignment from an approved publication. Freelancers must upload a LinkedIn profile. Contributed articles by business services professionals do not qualify as press credentials. Questions? Email PR at [email protected].

Possible badge titles for this category: Freelancer, Writer

Bloggers or Social Media Influencers: Must have created new content within the past three months on topics related to the natural and organic products industry and health (product giveaways and contests do not qualify). Blogs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on traffic, content relevance and quality, engagement on social media channels, frequency of posts, etc. 

• Bloggers will be asked to provide evidence from a data-tracking service (such as Google Analytics or Compete.com) that show unique visitors across blog or social media channels are at minimum 10,000-50,000 per month. Please upload links to blog and postings as part of the badge registration process. All criteria is taken into consideration for approval; unique visitor numbers and the number of followers on social media channels do not guarantee a badge if other criteria have not been met.*
• Social media influencers (those who do not have a qualifying blog, but own and manage a social media account of 20,000 or more followers on at least one social network: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on content relevance and quality, follower counts, engagement on social media channels, frequency of posts, etc. Please upload links to relevant social media channel(s) and specific posts that exemplify how you consistently support the natural and organic products industry and better health. See “Who Does Not Qualify for a Press Badge?” below. All criteria is taken into consideration for approval; post engagement and the number of followers on social media channels do not guarantee a badge if other criteria have not been met.*

Possible badge titles for this category: Blogger, Influencer, Social Media Influencer, Podcaster

*Each blog or social media platform will be granted one badge. If you have special circumstances, please email PR at [email protected].

Media Services: Classified as publishers, media execs, or media sales for an outlet that has relevance to the natural and organic products industry or health. Proof of business and title, as well as a link to your LinkedIn profile are required. Press support crew should apply for a Press badge. Blogger or Social Media Influencer support staff need to be pre-approved. With approval, they can receive a Guest of the Show Badge, or without approval, they can apply for an Exhibit Hall Pass. Questions? Email PR at [email protected].

Possible badge titles for this category: Publisher, Account Executive, Associate Publisher, CEO, President, Vice President, Sales Director, Sales Executive