Speaking Engagements
SOHO attendees were able to enjoy from several hand picked education sessions that were divided into three separate categories: Business/Vendor/Raw Materials to help guests set their own itinerary for sessions to attend. Some of the workshops guests had access to included:
"Getting Back to the Roots of our Industry": Sponsored by true grace, guest speaker Brian Hall held a seminar focused on reconnecting individuals and their companies with the core values of the industry; healing, purpose, integrity, and love for people and planet.
"Hot Take on Perimenopause & Menopause": Sponsored by Life Extension, Dr. Crystal Gossard explored the role of herbal nutrition in supporting women during perimenopause and menopause.
"Better Being Co. Lunch & Learn": Sponsored by Better Being Co., Nikita Austen hosted the education luncheon session and introduced New Mycrobiome Complete, an innovative 3-in-1 formula with pre, pro, and postbiotics for comprehensive digestive care. The full product line includes products for women, men, and adults over the age of 50.
"Procurement as the First Line of Defense Against Food Fraud": Presented by Purity IQ, Deleo de Leonardis took a closer look at how embedding science-backed authenticity testing at the procurement level, which is where risks of adulteration or misrepresentation can quietly enter the supply chain, can prevent food fraud before it happens.
"Marketing Compliance & Best Practices for Natural Product Marketers: An exploration into enforcement trends and technology solutions": Presented by Apex Compliance, Asa Waldstein took a deep dive into the changing world of marketing compliance for natural product marketers. From FDA warning letters and litigation to compliant and effective marketing, Waldestein educated independent retailers and brands on actionable insights and issues to try and avoid.
"Unlocking the Power of Magnesium, Vitamin D3, and K2 for Retail Health Success": Presented by CanPrev. For the second year, SOHO held a series of education sessions on the show room floor during show hours. One of the programs in this year's series was a conversation with Naturopathic doctor Jonothon Mainland. Mainland shared insights into the growing demand for magnesium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 supplements. Attendees learned how their businesses could leverage and benefit from the growing consumer interest in these essential nutrients.
"The Microbiome Theory of Aging": Sponsored by Essential Formulas, Dr. Pelton explained how bacterial imbalance/dysbiosis, is the cause for gut inflammation which is linked to all chronic and age-related diseases. Guests were educated on the roles of postbiotic metabolites and given tips on how to create and maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
On Display
First-time exhibitors at SOHO have the ability to present their products and/or services at the New Market Square Pavilion. The designated "table-top" area gives companies making their debut at the exclusive event the opportunity to meet with show attendees and present their products and/or services. Other exhibitors at this year's event included:
Apex Compliance: Guests were able to stop by and learn about the company's scanning and compliance software capabilities.
Better Being Co: With a well-rounded portfolio of brands, the company meet with visitors and provided insights into all of their health and well-being focused brands.
Black Lotus Shilajit: The Florida native, family-owned business had its full product line of lab-tested, manufactured in the United States, shilajit items on display.
Chomp Gums: Founded by Naturopathic Doctor and Epidemiologist, Dr. Keri Marshall, and avid wellness advocate Kelly Barnes, the female-owned and operated business is on a mission to change the way consumers approach their wellness with their product line of functional chewing gum. Attendees were able to learn about their two new products: Glow and Lyte which provide a healthier, sugar-free, Sucralose and Aspartame-free option for consumers focused on their heath goals.
Glow: Supports healthy skin, hair, nails, and beauty from the inside out with Organic Pomegranate extract, Biotin, Zinc, and vitamin C, in a refreshing pomegranate chewing gum.
Lyte: With no added sugar or artificial colors, Lyte provides electrolyte minerals for hydration and energy with Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and vitamin C, to restore and replenish essential electrolytes lost through sweat and daily activity in a clementine flavor.
“Our mission has always been to help create a new way to approach wellness with a unique delivery system for those with pill fatigue. Chomp Gums provides a healthier option for chewing gum, that is sugar-free, Sucralose and Aspartame-free, and provides nutrients to your body while you chew. It makes functional nutrition more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable simply by chewing gum," shared Dr. Marshall.
Enzymedica: Guests were able to stop by the company's booth and chat with the team about their new line of probiotic stick packs available in Peach Bliss and Berry Bast, and other digestive enzyme and health supplement products. Their newer product solutions include Heartburn Soothe, Colostrum + Probiotics, and SubCulture Probiotic for Daily Gut Health.
Michael's Health Naturopathic Programs introduced their new Certified Naturopathic Wellness Consultant Course. The program will allow retailers to become trusted wellness experts through their comprehensive Certified Naturopathic Consultant Training which teaches the principles of naturopathy and whole-person healing. Participants will have access to:
- Michael's Health Naturopathic Wellness Programs, the formulation of their products, their nutrient selection process, and the order of health concerns addressed by their product line
- Education tools to guide and support clients on their wellness journeys
- Training modules emailed every week with access to Zoom class meetings
- Downloadable PDFs and audio materials
Natural Path Silver Wings: Fresh off of its 30 year anniversary, the pharmaceutical grade colloidal silver manufacturer had its full line of independently lab tested silver products on display. Attendees were able to learn more about the brand's topical skin care line with silver aloe gel, silver aloe spray with tea tree oil, and their high selling topical herbal ointment containing 11 skin nourishing ingredients.
OceanBlue Omega: Omega-3 company offering high-quality products including omega-3 2100 with vitamin D3, omega-3 2100 with Coq10, and omega-3 2100 with turmeric to help support brain, heart, eyes, immunity, joints, and mood. The company was also a runner up in our 2025 Natural Choice Awards: Full Line category.
+PlusCBD: Winners in our 2025 Natural Choice Awards Pet Products category, the company offers products made from nutrient-rich hemp, that are non-intoxicating. The first to be self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), +PlusCBD, Pet Hip & Joint Health Chews are very popular amongst pet owners.
Redd Remedies: Another winner from our 2025 Natural Choice Awards, Redd Remedies was celebrating two decades of business and its award for Bone & Joint Heath: Redd Remedies, Gouch! Guests were also able to learn about the brand's full line of products which includes support for stress & mood, energy, sleep, brain & focus, joints, and women's health.
Other Events
“SOHO EXPO, The Natural Products Trade Show was supported by over 191 independent retail stores in over 28 states. This networking event continues to embrace the partnership of the retail attendee and industry leaders,” shared Debra Short, Executive Director, SENPA. “We stepped outside of the box this year to include branded raw material companies and compliance information to provide a strong educational offering for our attendees. This created an advantage for our attendees to strengthen the relationships and allowed a competitive business opportunity.”
Guests who attended this year's SOHO Expo, over 960 total guests, were treated to several events outside of the main tradeshow. This year's extracurricular exhibitions included:
26th Annual SOHO Golf Tournament: Held at the premier Falcon's Fire Golf Club, visitors who arrived on day 1 of the show were allowed to participate.
Annual Business Meeting and Industry Awards: Open to all guests, the SENPA organization conducted its yearly Board of Directors meeting which included the introduction of six new board members, and presentations of the institution's prestigious President's Award to Marie Montemurro owner of Lovey’s Natural Foods and Café in Wilmington, NC as well as Bluebonnet Nutrition for outstanding service to the natural products industry.
2025 marks the first year in which the award was presented to two separate entities. "To our retail partners: thank you for your tireless efforts to educate, uplift, and support the health of your local communities. We’re honored to stand alongside you — now and into the future," said Bob Barrows Jr. as he accepted Bluebonnet's second President's Award recognition.
"President's Party - 'SOHO Rocks the Night'": Sponsored by ECRS, guests let loose and unleashed their inner rock star as they danced and partied the night away with fellow industry members.
The ceremony also included a special moment to honor past members and announce the details of the upcoming SOHO Northeast event in Newark, NJ on October 4th & 5th. Stay tuned for our preview coverage from the upcoming show!
