Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 is set to be a landmark event in the natural, organic, and wellness sector. Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, this trade show will unite thousands of industry leaders and retailers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore innovative products and connect with key players in the market. The event promises to showcase the latest trends and developments in the wellness industry, making it a must-attend for professionals looking to stay ahead.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 takes place from May 1 to May 2, 2027, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
- 2Scale and Focus: This event is Canada's largest trade show dedicated to natural, organic, and wellness consumer packaged goods.
- 3Organiser: The event is organized by the Canadian Health Food Association, with more details available at chfa.ca.
- 4Buyer Authority: Key retailers from the west coast attend to discover innovative wellness products.
- 5Entry: Registration details can be found on the official website.
Why visit
Attendees will benefit from networking opportunities with industry leaders, access to the latest product innovations, and insights into market trends. The event is a hub for discovering new brands and products that cater to the growing demand for natural and organic goods. Visitors can participate in various sessions and workshops designed to enhance their understanding of the industry and improve their business strategies.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at CHFA NOW Vancouver provides unparalleled visibility to key retailers and buyers in the natural products sector. Companies can showcase their latest innovations, gain valuable feedback, and establish connections that can lead to new business opportunities. The event serves as a platform for brands to enhance their market presence and engage directly with potential customers.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Retail buyers from health food stores
Distributors of organic products
Manufacturers of natural health products
Wellness coaches and consultants
Food service professionals
Consumers interested in health and wellness
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Brand owners of vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies and homeopathic lines looking for Canadian retail listings
Probiotic, digestive-health and sports-nutrition formulators with licensed NHP products
Organic and natural food and beverage producers, including snacks, plant-based and functional lines
Private-label and contract manufacturers offering capsule, powder, gummy and ready-to-drink production
Natural personal care and cosmetics brands sourcing at natural retail
Ingredient and botanical extract suppliers selling to formulators
Packaging, labelling and sustainable materials suppliers serving supplement and food brands
Certification bodies, labs and regulatory consultants supporting NHP licensing and organic certification
Retail technology, category analytics and merchandising service providers for health food retail
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Natural health products: vitamins, minerals, herbal, homeopathic and mushroom-based supplements
Probiotics, digestive health and gut-health formulations
Sports nutrition, protein powders, collagen and hydration products
Organic and natural packaged foods, snacks and pantry staples
Functional and plant-based foods and beverages
Natural personal care, skincare and cosmetics
Baby, kids and pet health products
Bulk ingredients, botanical extracts and raw materials
Contract manufacturing, private label and co-packing services
Packaging, labelling, compostable and sustainable materials
Regulatory, lab testing and certification services
Retail operations, merchandising and store technology
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
2Vancouver Convention Centre WestVancouver Convention Centre East
Vancouver Convention Centre
Vancouver, Canada
Facilities
Parking
Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Vancouver Convention Centre for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
May 1 to May 2, 2027:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Vancouver, Canada
Why it matters
On 2027-05-01 to 2027-05-02, CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 in Vancouver covering Organic food and beverages, Natural health supplements, Wellness and personal care products, Sustainable packaging solut gives food buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · CAD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Cambie Seymour Hostel
Budget
Downtown Vancouver630 m to venueUSD 95–122 / night
Captured as the closest of the hostel options, with free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, bar, restaurant and a smoke-free property.
St Clair Hostel Vancouver
Budget
Downtown Vancouver770 m to venueUSD 95–122 / night
Amenities include free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, and a kid-friendly, smoke-free property.
The Cambie Hostel - Gastown
Budget
Gastown890 m to venueUSD 95–122 / night
Listed as a great deal at 35% below its usual rate; free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, bar, restaurant, kitchen in rooms and a smoke-free property.
Samesun Vancouver
Budget to mid-range
Downtown Vancouver1.3 km to venueUSD 150–190 / night
Listed as 29% below its usual rate, with free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, parking and kitchen in rooms.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
SkyTrain Canada Line (YVR to downtown)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forYVR-Airport station to Waterfront station, then a short walk to Canada Place
The venue's Getting Here page and the City of Vancouver visitor transit guide list SkyTrain as the rapid-transit option linking the airport and downtown with the Canada Place waterfront. Trains run frequently through the day; allow 45-60 minutes door to door with luggage.
SkyTrain Expo Line / Canada Line (downtown hops)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forWaterfront to Burrard, Granville or Stadium-Chinatown stations
Useful for moving between downtown hotels and the waterfront when it rains, or for reaching Gastown-adjacent hotels with bags. Tap a Compass Card or contactless card at the fare gates.
TransLink bus
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forDowntown routes along West Cordova, West Hastings and Granville to the Canada Place waterfront
Moovit's Vancouver Convention Centre page lists bus and SkyTrain connections to the venue. Buses are the practical option if your hotel sits outside the immediate waterfront walk.
Taxi
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forYVR airport taxi stand to Canada Place / downtown hotels
Rome2rio and fromto.travel document the YVR to Vancouver Convention Centre taxi journey. Airport taxis use a posted zone fare to downtown; keep the receipt for expense claims.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forYVR or a downtown hotel to the Canada Place loop
Rideshare is widely used in Metro Vancouver. Expect surge pricing when the show floor closes and when cruise passengers disembark at Canada Place; the drop-off loop can be congested at those times.
Car / parking
Estimated costCost TBA
Best forVancouver Convention Centre W Lot (1055 Canada Pl) and Canada Place garage (999 Canada Pl)
Impark operates the Vancouver Convention Centre W Lot at 1055 Canada Pl (open 24 hours) and Parking Indigo runs the Canada Place garage at 999 Canada Pl. The venue publishes a parking information sheet with current rates; event-day pricing can differ.
Weather
Vancouver sits on a coastal inlet, so early May is mild but showery, and the Canada Place waterfront is exposed to wind off Burrard Inlet. Expect daytime highs near 14-18 C and overnight lows near 8-11 C, with roughly ten rain days across a typical May. Open-Meteo air-quality data for the Vancouver area sampled US AQI near 90 and PM2.5 around 22.4 micrograms per cubic metre in the forecast period; sensitive travellers should check local advisories before the trip.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Canada's main mobile networks (Rogers, Bell and Telus, plus their flanker brands) sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at YVR and downtown retail, and downtown Vancouver coverage is generally strong. Visitors arriving from outside North America should check roaming costs before departure and download an eSIM in advance. Venue Wi-Fi availability and any exhibitor network should be confirmed with CHFA or the Vancouver Convention Centre before you rely on it for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
The venue district
The Vancouver Convention Centre sits on the Canada Place waterfront, a short walk from Gastown and the downtown core where the captured hotel options cluster. The waterfront promenade is the fastest pedestrian route between the downtown hotels and the show entrance.
Currency and payments
Prices in Vancouver are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Cards and contactless tap are accepted almost everywhere, including TransLink fare gates and the Canada Place garages, so a CAD-denominated card or a no-foreign-fee card keeps costs predictable.
Tipping and service
Tipping is expected in sit-down restaurants and for taxis, commonly in the 15-20% range, with counter-service cafes typically offering a lower preset. Gratuity is usually not included on the bill.
Sector etiquette on the floor
This is a trade audience of retailers, distributors and brand owners, so opening with your category and channel - supplement, organic food, private label - gets to a useful conversation faster than a general introduction. Ask before photographing booth materials or ingredient panels.
Registration and access
Confirm badge approval and hall access with CHFA before travelling, bring business ID matching your registration, and arrive early on the first show morning so badge pickup does not eat into your first meetings.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Book into Vancouver International (YVR); the Canada Line connects the terminal to downtown Waterfront station in about 25 minutes. Captured Google Flights samples for context, not show-date pricing: Toronto to Vancouver nonstop from about CAD 314, Montreal from about CAD 280, Calgary from about CAD 154, Los Angeles from about CAD 211, and Singapore to Vancouver with one stop from about CAD 1,329. Those samples used different travel dates, so treat them as bands only. For the 1-2 May 2027 weekend, book 8-12 weeks out where possible, and note that early May coincides with the start of Vancouver's cruise season, which lifts both air and hotel demand.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Vancouver; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Vancouver Convention Centre: Downtown Vancouver: Cambie Seymour Hostel; Downtown Vancouver: St Clair Hostel Vancouver; Gastown: The Cambie Hostel - Gastown.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate across Metro Vancouver and are the usual alternative to the airport taxi stand. Fares from YVR or a downtown hotel to Canada Place typically land in the CAD 35-60 range before surge, and surge is most likely at show close and when cruise passengers disembark at Canada Place. Use the designated Canada Place drop-off loop rather than asking for a stop on the busy approach road, and confirm the in-app quote before you accept.
Public transit: TransLink runs the SkyTrain Expo Line and Canada Line, which meet at Waterfront station a short walk from the Canada Place entrance, plus downtown bus routes along West Cordova, West Hastings and Granville. Pay with a Compass Card, a contactless bank card or exact cash; a one-zone adult fare is approximately CAD 2.60-3.20 and the airport journey carries a YVR add-on, bringing it to roughly CAD 9-11. Moovit lists the Vancouver Convention Centre as served by SkyTrain and bus, and the City of Vancouver publishes a visitor transit guide with fare details - confirm current pricing before travel.
Parking: The venue is served by Impark's Vancouver Convention Centre W Lot at 1055 Canada Pl, open 24 hours, and the Parking Indigo Canada Place garage at 999 Canada Pl. Show-day parking typically falls in the CAD 25-45 range, but rates vary by lot, entry time and event, and the venue publishes its own parking information sheet - read the posted rate board before you enter. If you are staying downtown, walking from a Canada Place-area hotel is usually faster than moving a car between garages during show hours.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027 (show days 1-2 May 2027)
Temperature: Typical early May conditions in Vancouver: daytime highs around 14-18 C (57-64 F) and overnight lows around 8-11 C (46-52 F). The Canada Place waterfront feels cooler than the downtown blocks when the inlet wind picks up, so a layer you can add at the venue helps.
Seasonality: Vancouver's wet season is tapering by May, but showers remain common - a typical May brings around ten rain days, mixed with brighter, mild stretches. This is coastal spring weather rather than a dry season, so plan for short downpours rather than all-day rain.
Packing: Pack a waterproof shell or compact umbrella, a warm mid-layer for cool mornings and air-conditioned halls, and comfortable walking shoes for the 0.6-1.3 km walk between the captured downtown hotels and Canada Place. Bring a small bag that keeps sample bottles and paper spec sheets dry, and check a five-day forecast for Vancouver shortly before departure.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 1
T-14 days: Lock in a Canada Place-area hotel - the captured properties (Cambie Seymour Hostel, St Clair Hostel, The Cambie Hostel Gastown, Samesun Vancouver) sit 0.6 to 1.3 km from the waterfront venue and fill quickly in early May.
Day 2
T-12 days: Map your meeting list against the exhibitor directory and send appointment requests to supplement, food and private-label suppliers before the floor opens.
Day 3
T-10 days: Set up contactless payment or a reloadable Compass Card for TransLink SkyTrain and bus fares; budget approx. CAD 2.60-3.20 per one-zone trip.
Day 4
T-7 days: Check the Environment Canada forecast for Vancouver and pack a waterproof shell - early May showers are common and the Canada Place waterfront is windy.
Day 5
T-7 days: Confirm your flight into Vancouver International (YVR) and note the Canada Line connection from YVR-Airport station to Waterfront station (approx. 25 minutes).
Day 6
T-5 days: Verify passport validity and, if you are flying in visa-exempt, that your Canadian eTA is approved before check-in.; T-3 days: Save the chfa.ca schedule page, mark the sessions you want and download any show app or floor plan the organiser publishes.
Day 7
T-2 days: Pre-book any buyer-to-brand meetings that need a quiet table, and note hall opening times so you can use the first hour for your priority appointments.
Day 8
T-1 day: Charge devices, pack business cards and a notebook, and plan a walking route from your hotel to the Canada Place entrance.
Day 9
Show day 1: Arrive 30-45 minutes before the floor opens to clear badge pickup, then work the supplement and functional-food aisles while they are quiet.
Day 10
Show day 2: Use the shorter second day for private-label sourcing conversations, follow-ups on day-one leads and any close-of-show sample pickups.
Day 11
T-14 days: Confirm your trade badge application status on chfa.ca and gather business ID, retailer or distributor credentials and a recent invoice or letterhead for verification at the registration desk.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Vancouver Convention Centre
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 registration concourse
Vancouver Convention Centre
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Vancouver Convention Centre
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nightsCA$190.00
- Per diem × 2CA$150.00
Estimated totalCA$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Organic food and beverages and Natural health supplements solutions and benchmarking suppliers at CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027 in Vancouver.
Min. budget
$725.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Organic food and beverages and Natural health supplements products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$3,262.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Vancouver show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Where is the 2027 edition being held in Vancouver?
The listing places the show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place, on 1-2 May 2027. The venue is on the downtown waterfront, walking distance from Gastown hotels.
How do I get to the Vancouver Convention Centre from the airport?
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the main gateway. The venue's Getting Here page and the City of Vancouver transit guide list SkyTrain and bus routes into downtown; taxis from YVR use a fixed airport zone fare and parking is available in the on-site W Lot.
Where should I stay for the show?
Captured Google Hotels results for the show dates cluster in Gastown and downtown within about 600 m to 1.3 km of Canada Place, from hostels such as Cambie Seymour Hostel and The Cambie Hostel - Gastown to Samesun Vancouver with free breakfast.
When should I book travel for the 1-2 May 2027 dates?
Allow one travel day before the first show day and book flights and downtown accommodation early, since the show falls in Vancouver's spring convention season. Compare fares in CAD and confirm cancellation terms.
What is the weather like in Vancouver in early May?
Early May in Vancouver is mild but changeable with rain showers; pack a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the waterfront walk to the venue.
Glossary
- NPN (Natural Product Number)
- The eight-digit licence number Health Canada assigns to an authorized natural health product. It must appear on the Canadian label, and buyers at the show routinely check that a brand's NPN matches the claims on its booth signage.
- NHPR (Natural Health Products Regulations)
- The federal regulations that govern licensing, labelling, claims and good manufacturing practices for natural health products sold in Canada. Exhibitors positioning vitamins, herbals, homeopathics or probiotics should be able to show a product licence under these rules.
- Site Licence (NHP)
- A Health Canada licence required for Canadian sites that manufacture, package, label, import, distribute or wholesale natural health products. Contract manufacturers and private-label suppliers exhibiting at CHFA typically hold one.
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
- The evidence and quality-control standards that NHP-licensed sites must operate under, covering batch records, testing, sanitation and traceability. Retail buyers use GMP status to screen private-label partners.
- Canada Organic / COR
- The Canada Organic Regime: products sold as organic in Canada must be certified to the Canadian Organic Standards by a COR-accredited certification body and may carry the Canada Organic logo. Relevant to the organic food and beverage exhibitors on the show floor.
- Clean label
- A positioning where a brand minimises synthetic additives, artificial colours or unfamiliar ingredients and keeps the ingredient list short. It is a merchandising and formulation theme running through supplements and packaged natural foods at the show.
- Functional food
- A food or beverage with a demonstrated physiological benefit beyond basic nutrition, such as fortified or high-protein products. In Canada the permitted claims depend on whether the product is regulated as a food or as an NHP.
- Nutraceutical
- A product isolated or purified from food and sold in a medicinal dose form such as a capsule, tablet or powder, with a physiological benefit. It sits alongside supplements in the NHP licensing framework.
- CFU (colony-forming units)
- The potency measure printed on probiotic labels, usually stated as CFU per capsule or per serving at end of shelf life. Buyers compare CFU counts, strain identity and stability claims when sourcing probiotic lines.
- Adaptogen
- A botanical marketed for supporting the body's response to stress, such as ashwagandha, rhodiola or reishi. Canadian label claims must stay within permitted NHP monographs and licensed product claims.
- Private label / contract manufacturing
- An arrangement where a retailer or brand owner sells product made under licence by another manufacturer. CHFA's supplier base includes formulators and packagers that build store-brand supplement and snack ranges.
- Trade-only registration
- Access to the show floor restricted to verified trade buyers, brokers, distributors and media rather than the general public. Expect a badge application step and proof of business before you travel.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- CHFA NOW Vancouver 2027
- wellness industry events
- CHFA 2027
- CHFA Vancouver 2027
- NOW 2027
- Vancouver Canada
- Organic food and beverages
- Natural health supplements
- Wellness and personal care products
- Sustainable packaging solutions
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.