Event Information
CHFA NOW is the number one source for new products and education for retailers who are doing business in Western Canada. With over 900 exhibiting companies and a highly qualified selection of speakers, this four-day event is one that shouldn’t be missed.
If your store sells natural health products, organics, specialty foods, health & beauty, sports nutrition and/or nutraceuticals, this is your one-stop shopping experience.
Everyone working in retail — from owners to managers to buyers — will benefit from the opportunity to see, touch, taste and compare thousands of products. Take advantage of discounted show pricing on your favourite products, receive special incentive programs from the exhibitors and make connections you won’t find anywhere else.
FAQ
CHFA NOW is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, located at 1055 Canada Place. Access is available by foot, car, or public transit (walking distance from the Waterfront Station Northbound). For directions to the VCC West building, call 1 866 785-8232 or click here. For general parking information, click here.
Regulatory Forum:
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Conference:
Friday, March 31, 2023
Trade Show:
Saturday, April 1 & Sunday, April 2, 2023
10:00 AM–5:00 PM PT
CHFA NOW is a trade only event that is open to individuals currently working within the natural health products, specialty food and organic industries. The primary target audience for this show is retailers and health professionals who sell or professionally recommend natural health products or organics directly to consumers. CHFA trade shows are not open to the general public. All attendees will be required to provide proof that their company is involved in the industry. Forms of acceptable proof include, but are not limited to, a business license, business card, pay stub with photo ID, or health care accreditation. Refer to our Policies for detailed information on requirements.
Media: Please refer to this page for press and influencer policies and registration.
Leading suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and brokers of natural health and organic products exhibit. Click here for the Exhibitor List.
Onsite registration is open March 30 to April 2 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building. Please bring Photo ID and proof of employment in the industry to register.
The complimentary pre-registration passes are valid for retailers and health practitioners only. Simply register online, before the date specified, using the code provided with the invitation.
Note: Valid for Retailers and Health Practitioners only.
| I am a: | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| CHFA Member | FREE |
| Non-Member Retailer or Health Practitioner | FREE |
| Non-Member Supplier & Business Services | $899 |
CHFA encourages a healthy work/ life balance, and as such, children under the age of 18 are welcome to attend the show but must be supervised by a guardian at all times. Infants and children under the age of 16 are not permitted within conference sessions. CHFA reserves the right to limit the use of strollers on the trade show floor during peak times if necessary.
There are dedicated family/universal rooms located by the washrooms on the exhibit floor lobby and exhibit trade show floor for you to nurse and change your baby privately and safely. There is also a dedicated nursing room on level 100 in front of Ballroom A where milk warming is available. Guest services are available to assist you in accessing the nursing room, please call 604-647-7299.
Wheeled carts (including luggage) are not permitted on the show floor. A coat check area is provided free of charge for attendees to store wheeled carts while visiting the show.
Event Access / Policies
Do I qualify to attend?
All CHFA events are trade only events and are not open to the general public. CHFA NOW is open to individuals currently working within the natural health products, specialty food and organic industries. The primary target audience for this show is individuals that sell or professionally recommend natural health products or organics directly to consumers. All attendees will be required to provide proof that their company is involved in the industry and of their employment by said company. See our attendance policies below for details and requirements.
Business Type & Pricing
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| CHFA Member | FREE |
| Retailer | FREE |
| Health Practitioner | FREE |
| Manufacturer | $899 |
| Distributor | $899 |
| Business Service | $899 |
| Association | $899 |
| Government | $899 |
| Student | Complimentary (Sunday ONLY. See details below) |
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Business Definitions & Requirements for Proof of Business
CHFA must be able to easily verify both of the following:
- Your organization’s active involvement in the natural health product, specialty food or organic industries
- Proof of your employment by said company
Definition: Primary business is the retail sale of natural health products, specialty food or organic products directly to consumers or professionals. The store must sell more than one manufacturer’s product line. If you only sell one manufacturer’s product or brand you must register as a manufacturer. If any part of your retail business also manufactures products, your company is considered a manufacturer and must register as such.
Acceptable forms of business proof include:
- Business Card (must include both attendee and company name)
- Retail Business License
- Pay Stub and Photo ID
- Purchase orders from an exhibiting company
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Retailer | FREE |
Definition: Primary business is as a practitioner or fitness professional engaged in the promotion of natural health and/or organic health food products to consumers. Also includes owners or staff of health clubs, gyms and spas. Practitioners whose primary employment consists of consulting with or working for a firm to provide business services, rather than to provide health services to patients in a clinical setting, will be required to register as business service.
Acceptable forms of business proof include:
- Medical License / Health Accreditation
- Business Card (must include both attendee and company name)
- Pay Stub and Photo ID (onsite)
- Purchase orders from an exhibiting company
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Health Promotion / Practitioner | FREE |
Definition: The manufacture and/or distribution of natural health and/or organic health food products ultimately destined for sale to consumers or professionals through retail. Also includes wholesalers, brokers, importers and exporters.
Acceptable forms of business proof include:
- Business Card (must include both attendee and company name)
- Business License
- Pay Stub and Photo ID (onsite)
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Distributor / Broker | $899 |
Definition: A company that supports businesses within the natural health or organic industry but does not produce a tangible commodity.
Acceptable forms of business proof include:
- Business Card (must include both attendee and company name)
- Paystub and Photo ID
- Purchase Orders from participating exhibitors
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Business Service | $899 |
Definition: A professional association servicing businesses or professionals within the natural health product or organic industry.
Acceptable forms of business proof include:
- Business Card (must include both attendee and company name)
- Paystub and Photo ID
- Membership requirements demonstrating industry involvement
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Association | $899 |
Definition: Primary activity is within a governmental body that aids in the promotion and support of the natural health and/or organic industry. Please contact info@chfa.ca.
Registration Fees:
| Business Category | On-Site Mar 31-Apr 2, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Government | $899 |
Definition: CHFA is pleased to provide a forum for students to engage with the industry in which they one day hope to work. Our trade shows are an excellent learning forum, but first and foremost they are a place of business for the manufacturers and retailers currently working in the industry. In order to ensure that the flow of business is not disturbed, CHFA has implemented restrictions related to student admission at our show.
Student Admission:
CHFA offers complimentary access to the trade show to students enrolled in programs that will have them working in the natural health or organic industry upon graduation.
Students may not pre-register. Upon arrival at the event, students will be issued a student badge.
- Admission is granted on day two of the trade show, which is Sunday. Students may not attend on Saturday.
- Students may not attend the conference program.
- Student ID is required and their program must be related to the natural health or organic industry.
- This is a trade event where product is not for sale for personal use.
- Please be courteous and take samples only if offered by the exhibiting company.
Attendance Policies
CHFA NOW is open to individuals currently working within the natural health and organic products industry. The primary target audience for this show is individuals who sell or professionally recommend natural health products, specialty foods or organics directly to consumers.
Identification is required for all non-CHFA members to gain access to the conference and trade show. CHFA must be able to easily verify both of the following:
- Your organization’s active involvement in the natural health, organic or grocery industry
- Proof of your employment by said company
Multiple documents may be required to confirm registration category and required verification.
Acceptable industry involvement verification includes, but is not limited to:
- Health care accreditation
- Marketing channels such as website and unique domain based e mail address
- Recent purchase orders from CHFA exhibitors
Acceptable proof of employment includes, but is not limited to:
- Business license
- Business Card with photo ID
- Health Care accreditation
- Pay stub with photo ID (please protect your privacy by covering your SIN and deductions, etc.)
Photo ID will be required to pick up all badges on-site.
Event Refund Policy
Trade show registration is non-refundable once registration is approved or, for pending registrations, less than 21 days’ notice prior to the commencement of the conference and trade show. Upon submission of your registration, your details will be verified by CHFA. You will receive an official confirmation once your registration is approved (for non-members this is once industry and employment verification is reviewed.) CHFA reserves to itself the right to restrict entry to the show and/or conference to any individual. Any such person requested to leave the show and/or conference shall do so immediately on request, whether previously issued a badge permitting entry.
Fees paid for conference sessions will be refunded, less a $50 administration fee, when cancellation is received in writing 21 days prior to the commencement of the conference and trade show. Send your cancellation notification to events@chfa.ca. Cancellations received after this date will not be entitled to a refund.
Rules and Regulations
- Badges are non-transferable and must be visible at all times
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- No wheeled carts or luggage will be allowed on the trade show floor
- Infants are not permitted in seminars
- Soliciting by attendees on the show floor is prohibited
- Please ask before you take. Not all products on display are intended as samples
Photography and Video
CHFA reserves the right to take photographs and video footage of our events for our own records, publicity and promotional purposes. In consideration of admission to CHFA Trade Show and Conference, the attendee or exhibitor hereby gives permission in perpetuity to reproduce, copy, publish, or otherwise use his/her likeness and/or voice, whether in electronic or print media, as taken from the event or any material based upon or derived there from, or to refrain from so doing, in whole or in part, throughout the world.
Media personnel are permitted to photograph or do videography only if wearing a media badge, and with the permission of those being photographed or filmed.
Attendees are encouraged to photograph their visit to CHFA events and share their experience on social media. Attendees are not permitted to take video footage at CHFA events.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
From planning our event to the show floor, we are very mindful of our impact on the environment and are making efforts to ensure we’re as efficient as possible.
- The home of CHFA NOW is at the Vancouver Convention Centre – the world’s first double LEED® Platinum-certified convention centre. It’s truly green by design with features including a six-acre living roof, also home to four beehives that pollinate the plants o the living roof. Learn more about the Vancouver Convention Centre’s commitment to sustainability, here.
- We’re proud to support YWCA Metro Vancouver and A Loving Spoonful – two local organizations we’ll be donating extra food and samples to.
- To save paper, we’ve decided our show guide is best viewed digitally! We encourage you to view our website for the most up-to-date information and refrain from printing.
Sustainability Tips
We collected a few tips to help our community reduce their carbon footprint while at the show. We’re always trying to find new ways to be sustainable – if you have a suggestion to add, let us know! Email us at info@chfa.ca.
- Conserve water: Take shorter showers
- Conserve energy: Turn off lights & thermostat when leaving your hotel room
- Save the trees: Use our QR codes for quick access to information rather than printing
- Reduce waste: Bring your own reusable water bottle and/or coffee cup
- Reuse: Return your badge holder at the registration desk before you leave
- Recycle: Break down cardboard and put it in the recycling bin
- Exhibitors: We encourage you to donate samples you have leftover from the show
Harassment and Discrimination
We are committed to providing a safe space for all attendees. Harassment and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated at any CHFA events and will result in immediate removal from the show floor and a permanent ban from all future CHFA events. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses any acts of harassment or discrimination to report it to the CHFA Member Kiosk or CHFA Member Lounge.
Privacy Policy
Beware of fraudulent solicitations
You may be receiving fraudulent enquiries from companies claiming to be working on behalf of or with CHFA. They include offers for everything from hotel accommodation, to attendee lists, to booth sales. This activity has grown in recent years and we advise everyone to be careful when engaging with companies who are not affiliated with CHFA. All of our official show service providers are noted on our website. We never make our attendance lists available to third party companies. We do not engage third party companies to sell booth space on our behalf. Hotels in the show block can be booked directly through our website.
We have tried many times over the years to stop this activity. Unfortunately these companies often do not originate in Canada and do not adhere to Canadian law when it comes to spamming. If you would report this activity to the The Spam Reporting Centre at spam@fightspam.gc.ca, it may help to curb this activity in future.
The Spam Reporting Centre gathers intelligence to support the enforcement of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). If you are concerned about an activity that you believe may be in violation of CASL, you can bring it to the attention of the three government agencies responsible for enforcing CASL (the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the Competition Bureau and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada) by making a submission to the Spam Reporting Centre.
For more information on CHFA’s privacy policy, please click here.