The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), and its North Carolina state chapter will co-host the North Carolina State of the Natural Products Industry & Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 16, at the North Carolina Arboretum. Located in Asheville, NC, the 434-acre natural treasure features 65 acres of cultivated gardens showcasing the state’s rich botanical heritage.
 
This free luncheon and educational program is designed to both inform and inspire attendees about the long heritage, cultural traditions and future of natural products in North Carolina, said UNPA. The program will celebrate the state’s rich agricultural and research history, the importance of its herbal industry and the growing political and economic impact of the state’s natural products industry as new companies establish manufacturing and distribution presences in the region.
 
The luncheon is co-sponsored by Bent Creek Institute and The North Carolina Arboretum.
 
“North Carolina has always played an important leadership and political role for the natural products industry,” said UNPA President Loren Israelsen. “It is home to the American botanical tradition, and the state has done a great job of providing an attractive climate for industry companies by facilitating business and economic growth. Increasingly, the state will be on the front lines of the industry’s efforts to increase its presence in Washington, ensuring a viable and sustainable structure that will ensure broad consumer access to healthy lifestyle products.”
 
Featured speakers include Greg Cumberford of Bent Creek Institute; Dr. Charles Hamner of The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences; Dr. Jeanine Davis of the North Carolina State Mills River Research Station; Annice Brown of the Small Business and Technology Development Center; Lourdes Lorenz of the International Integrative Health Institute; and Dr. Frank King, CEO and founder of King Bio. The luncheon will also honor leaders that have made a lasting contribution to growth and wellbeing of North Carolina’s natural products industry.
 
The event is free, but seating is limited, and reservations are required. For more information, to view the agenda and to register, visit www.unpa.com/events.