Japan offers perhaps the most developed market in Asia with more than 30 two day expos per year. This year Japan hosts the world fair or Expo 05. Even at this event geared to the general public you see a distinctively holistic flair with a focus on the environment and even exhibits and lecture series on the esoteric. One example, “Mystic Egypt” really stands out. All told, the expo has had over 10,000,000 visitors.

Although exhibitors are too late for Expo 05, Japan has a host of other events. Of special note, Yuji Kato of Pleia Japan, with Keiko Yaguchi and Ken Reinke have an ambitious schedule of over 8 expos over the next year.  For details and scheduling you can reach Keiko at info@crystal-rose.info . Plans are in the works to make some of these expos “English friendly” with interpreters and coordination of travel plans.

The US company, New Hope Natural Media just conducted the first ever Natural Products Expo in Tokyo. Look for this high end event to return in 2006. Although not strictly a retail event, the expo offers a means to introduce your natural products to Japanese retailers. Their contact and site can be found at http://www.naturalproductsjapan.com.

A similar event takes place in Korea, with the Organic Food Expo in Seoul. Offering a great speaker schedule, this event drew tremendous interest. Reach them at http://www.2005ofex.org

Plans are in the works for Body Mind Spirit Expos in Hong Kong and Taiwan. These events will occur in late 2006-2007 and take place in cooperation with United Spirit of Japan. Look to these pages for announcements in the months ahead.

Australia boasts two great expo companies, one in the east and west. In Perth Conscious Living Expo publishes a great magazine and puts on a superior expo. Their November 3-6 event still has openings. Contact Patricia Hamilton (a very nice lady by the way) at http://www.conscious-living.com.au. They are also hosting an inaugural event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next March.  This groundbreaking expo will expose an entirely new audience to natural health and lifestyle. It also seems a great place to visit modern Asia.

Sydney and Melbourne host DMG’s Mind, Body Spirit Festival’s twice a year. The next Sydney event takes place Nov 17-20, making it a nice pairing with the Perth expo. DMG produces expos worldwide and brings a level of professionalism to their events that draws huge crowds over the four days. You can get more info at http://www.mbsfestival.com.au

No trip to Asia is complete without a stop in New Zealand. This gem of a country has expos in most cities from Auckland in the north, through sunny Nelson and to the garden capital Christchurch. Many of these offer a real sense of community and welcome European and North American exhibitors and speakers. Here are some links for a few of the best expos. Again, some of these would combine well with an Australian expo trip.

www.inputmagazine.com for Christchurch
sweet.health@xtra.co.za for Hamilton
www.nelsonhealthfest.co.nz for Hamilton
dave-ruth-mansford@clear.net.nz for Tauranga
http://www.visionaryliving.co.nz/new-zealand/auckland-expo/ for Auckland