Despite current tensions in the United States and elsewhere in the world the Natural Products Expo East, a trade show for the $32 billion (35.2 million euros) natural products industry, opened its doors on Friday in Washington. Anthony A. Williams, mayor of Washington, cut the ribbon to open the show and expressed his gratitude to the natural products industry and to New Hope Natural Media for staying the course and opening the show on schedule. The opening ceremonies were followed by a press conference and the opening of the Expo show floor, where more than 1,400 booths are selling products from more than 900 companies worldwide. Natural Products Expo East is expected to draw between 15,000 and 17,000 people to the Washington Convention Center.
