As the natural products industry prepares to convene in Denver from Aug. 18-20, 2026, Nutritional Products International (NPI), a global brand management firm, is spotlighting the growing significance of Newtopia Now. The event, held at the Colorado Convention Center, is set to bring together more than 500 emerging and established brands, along with retailers, distributors, investors, and industry leaders.
NPI founder and CEO Mitch Gould, who plans to attend, brings decades of experience in the health and wellness sector, having sold into tens of thousands of retailers including major chains like Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Vitamin World. His long-term perspective underscores the value of such gatherings in connecting emerging brands with key players who can facilitate growth.
“Events like Newtopia Now give you an early look at where the natural products industry is heading,” Gould said. “You see emerging brands, new product concepts, and changing consumer priorities all in one place. For anyone involved in bringing products to market and building retail distribution, that makes these gatherings extremely valuable.”
The 2026 event will feature brands across food, beverage, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle categories, alongside educational programming on topics like regenerative agriculture, clean beauty, sustainable packaging, funding, and emerging consumer trends. This year also introduces the first International Pavilion, featuring APEX Brazil and a collection of Brazilian brands, reflecting a broader trend of global participation.
“The U.S. remains an extremely attractive market for companies around the world, but entering this market requires much more than having a good product,” Gould noted. “International brands need to understand American consumers, retail expectations, logistics, market positioning, and how they are going to support the brand once it reaches the shelf. Events that bring global innovation together with the U.S. retail community can help start those conversations.”
Helping domestic and international brands navigate these challenges has been central to NPI's work. Gould developed his “Evolution of Distribution” platform to provide a coordinated approach to U.S. market entry, integrating global logistics, product readiness, market positioning, retail and e-commerce placement, and post-placement marketing.
Gould believes events like Newtopia Now are particularly valuable because they bring together multiple facets of the natural products ecosystem. “Innovation doesn't happen in isolation,” he said. “Brands need retailers, retailers need products that connect with consumers, and international companies need partners who understand how business gets done in the United States. Bringing those groups together is one of the things that makes an event like Newtopia Now important.”
For Gould, the continued growth of such events also signals the rapid evolution of the natural products marketplace. “Consumer interests change, new categories emerge, and innovative brands are being created around the world,” he said. “You have to stay close to those developments because today's emerging idea can become tomorrow's major retail category.”
Newtopia Now 2026 promises to be a pivotal moment for the industry, offering a glimpse into the future of natural products and the connections that will shape it.
