Organic Industry Event

The 28th Annual Sustainable, Responsible, Impact (SRI) Conference will be taking place November 1-3, 2017 in San Diego, CA. Thought leaders, investors, and investment professionals from all corners of the Sustainable, Responsible, Impact (SRI) investing universe convene to gain and share knowledge and strategies that align financial performance with positive change. These leaders and investors are catalyzing the shift to a more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable economy.

Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, will speak on a panel at the SRI Conference about the organic industry in the United States and Mexico. 

Conference Information: 

November 1-3, 2017

Hotel del Coronado - San Diego, CA

The USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum is a platform facilitating conversation on key issues and topics within the agricultural community, including academic leaders, producers, processors, policy makers, government officials, and both foreign and domestic nongovernment organizations. At the Forum, there will be a session on The Outlook for Organic Agriculture.

On Thursday, February 22nd, during the Agriculture Production and Rural Opportunities track at the Forum, there will be an Outlook on Organic Agriculture session moderated by Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. Contact Jessica Shade for more information. 

Event Information: 

February 22-23, 2018

Washington, D.C. 

Natural Products Expo East continues to be the East Coast's leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, attracting over 28,000 industry professionals and 1,900 exhibits to the Baltimore Convention Center.

The Organic Trade Association will exhibit at Natural Products Expo East, booth #1211, and organize the All Things Organic Conference at the show. On September 12th, The Organic Trade Association will also host a Board Meeting, Annual Membership Meeting, and Annual Leadership Awards Celebration in Baltimore, MD. Click here for more information on these events!

Trade Show Information: 

September 12-15, 2018

Baltimore Convention Center - Baltimore, MD

Natural Products Expo West is the largest natural, organic and healthy products event in the U.S. Hosting more than 80,000 attendees including industry pioneers and a new generation of innovators shaping the future of healthy products.

The Organic Trade Association will be exhibiting at Natural Products Expo West, booth #1825, and also organizing organic education sessions and foreign buyer meetings at the show. The Organic Center's Annual Benefit Dinner will also take place at Expo West, on Thursday March 8th. Click here for more information on these events! 

Trade Show Information:

March 8-11, 2018

Anaheim Convention Center - Anaheim, CA

The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Annual Meeting and Conference is an annual tradition that convenes the CCOF membership and supporters to celebrate successes and plan for the future of organic. The conference also benefits the programs of the CCOF Foundation: the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund, the Organic Training Institute, the Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund, and our consumer education programming. The tradition of this annual educational conference is treasured as a yearly opportunity for the organic community to network, share resources, and learn how to grow your businesses.

The 2018 Conference will explore the factors that have made California a hotbed of organic hotspots activity and discuss ways to encourage the growth of organic hotspots across rural America. We will hear the stories of organic leaders who have contributed to economic revitalization through organic in rural areas, and from those who have seen the impacts first-hand on their businesses and communities. Leaders in policy development, education, and agricultural technology will also share their insights as key individuals helping support these regional economic changes.

Laura Batcha, CEO & Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association, will be speaking at the CCOF Annual Meeting on Friday, February 23rd at 1:45pm, on a panel entitled "Working Hand-in-Hand: Partnerships Between Elected Officials & Organic". Click here to review the full agenda! 

Conference Information: 

February 22-23, 2018

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel - Sacramento, CA

The Georgia Organics Conference is about building stronger farms, school gardens, and communities. Nearly 1,000 conference attendees will connect with like-minded peers, tour farms, cultivate new skills, and discover more than 70 exhibit booths with innovative food-and agriculture-related information.

Conference Information:

February 16-17, 2018

Augusta Convention Center - Augusta, Georgia 

The Organic Seed Alliance is the largest organic seed event in the U.S. Hear the latest in cutting-edge research and policy advocacy, trade knowledge, techniques, and ideas with other seedheads from around the world. The conference provides a full agenda of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. 

The 9th Organic Seed Growers Conference theme is Synergy that Sustains. This year’s theme reflects an emphasis on developing collaborative networks, cooperative production and business models, and a diversity of approaches to advancing organic seed systems.

The Organic Trade Association's Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs, Gwendolyn Wyard, will be presenting the following session at the Conference:

Private Sector Solutions to Increasing Organic Seed Usage

Despite tremendous strides in increasing the availability of organic seed, further incentivizing the use of organic seed is critical for the organic seed sector’s continued expansion. Ongoing efforts to increase the sourcing of organic seed include improving the organic seed regulatory requirement, providing training and education, investing in organic plant breeding and seed research, and developing organic seed search databases. This interactive session will cover current seed policy discussions within the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and broader organic community, including a 2017 NOSB proposal to update the organic seed regulation and strengthen guidance for certifiers. The session will also explore private sector solutions for increasing organic seed usage by further developing the relationship and commitment between organic growers, processors, and seed providers. Audience members will be encouraged to share personal perspectives and experiences, and ideas for solutions, to inform ongoing policy discussions and resources focused on strengthening organic seed systems.

Conference Information:

February 14-17, 2018

Corvallis, Oregon 

The 5th Annual Moms Meet WOW Summit is coming to Chicago. The event empowers moms to raise happy and healthy families.

At this mom and blogger-focused event, OTA will present a workshop to help consumers navigate the various labels including natural, non-GMO and Organic, they encounter when shopping for their families.

For more information contact Angela Jagiello, Associate Director, Conference and Product Development. 

Summit Information:

October 13-14, 2017

Itasca, IL

The Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) works to ensure the integrity of organic certification in the United States. Purposes include, developing uniform criteria for implementation of the USDA National Organic Program, certifier training, support and networking opportunities and being a forum for discussion of issues impacting organic certification.

Meeting Information: 

The Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk

San Antonio, Texas