Approved Business Categories

Definition: Owns or works for a retail store (this includes online stores). Store must sell more than one manufacturer’s brand or family of brands to consumers. 

You do not qualify as a Retailer if you primarily sell one product line or brand or if you are an e-commerce platform  provider. According to our company classifications, if you sell only one manufacturer’s products, you are classified as a Manufacturer. If you are platform provider, you will be approved in Business Services.

Acceptable forms of business proof include one of the following:

• Website that directly sells multiple branded products to an end consumer (not applicable if you primarily sell one product line or brand; see Manufacturer)
• Product catalog dated from the past year 
• Recent invoices from multiple manufacturers
  

Business Types include:

• E-tailer
• Independent/COOP/Natural Product
• Chain Natural Products Store
• Gourmet/Specialty Products
• Personal Care
• Independent Grocer
• Conventional Supermarket
• Discount/Mass Merchandiser
• Chain Drug Store/Pharmacy
• Independent Drug Store/Pharmacy
• Mail Order Catalog
• Convenience Store
• Pet Supply Store/Grooming

Definition: Those involved in the field of medicine whether traditional or alternative.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website describing the individual/business’s practice or showing menu of multiple services and costs
• Current Business License showing business function. This must be a copy of the document itself (EIN, tax or sales licenses are not accepted). 
• Current & Active Medical License (must be a copy of the document itself)
• Product Catalog or Services Menu  

Business Types include:

• Registered Dietitians (RD)
• Registered Dietitians students
• Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDN)
• Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR)
• Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians Registered (NDTR)
• Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP)
• Certified Health Coaches (CHC)
• Certified Holistic Health Counselor (CHHC)
• Certified Personal Trainers (CPT)
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Doctors of Medicine (MD)
• Naturopathic Doctors (ND)

Definition: Includes Wholesalers, Distributors, Brokers, Importer and Exporters of branded products. To qualify as a Distributor, you must be a third party distributor or representative of more than one manufacturer's finished, consumer-ready brand in addition to any brands owned by your company.  

If you distribute ingredients or other materials to be used in the manufacturing of finished products, see Supplier/Raw Ingredient Distributor. If you distribute packaging for use in a finished good, you are classified as Business Services. If you distribute or represent only one manufacturer's brand line, see Manufacturer. Distribution companies providing transportation, warehousing, and logistics qualify under Business Services. Import/export companies providing regulatory/licensing/compliance support also qualify under Business Services. 

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website that sells finished products (from multiple manufacturer’s brand lines) to a Food Service provider, Retailer or Health Practitioner.
• Brokerage agreements from multiple manufacturers (must be current and signed & dated by all parties) 
• Recent order forms showing multiple manufacturer’s product/brand lines

Business Types include:

• Wholesaler of Finished Products
• Importer/Exporter of Finished Products
• Broker of Finished Products
• Third Party Distributor of Finished Product

Definition: Any business operating in the industry related to preparing, distributing, or selling prepared/ready-to-eat foods. Includes restaurants, cafeterias, and catering operations.  

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing menu or catering services provided
• Food & Beverage License (must be a copy of the document itself and current)
• Recent Health Inspection Report
• Culinary Certificate or Degree 

Business Types include:

• Full Service Restaurant  
• School/University
• Tea Room/Coffee House
• Hotel/Resort/Airline  
• Quick Serve Restaurant
• Caterer/Private Chef  

Definition: Provides raw materials, ingredients, or equipment for manufacturing finished products. This includes farms, suppliers of food materials, raw minerals, and machinery. This includes distributors of products listed above, used in the manufacturing of a finished product.

According to our company classifications, Distributors sell finished products that are ready to be sold to an end consumer. Suppliers provide ingredients for manufacturers to use in finished products.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website that sells supplies, ingredients and/or equipment
• Product Catalog
• Order Forms

Business Types include:

• Raw Ingredient Producer/Supplier
• Ingredient Importer/Exporter
• Equipment Supplier
• Farm/Grower

Definition: Manufactures finished products that are ready for an end consumer. OR a third party that produces a finished product for a company (Contract Manufacturer). OR private label company utilizing contract manufacturers. 

According to our company classifications, if your company owns the brand name on all products sold, you are classified as a Manufacturer.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing brand or family of brands
• Product catalog

Business Types include:

• Food
• Beverage
• Cosmetic/Personal Care
• Natural Living/Home/Textile
• Pet Products/Animal Nutrition
• Vitamin/Mineral/Herb/Supplements
• Pharmaceuticals
• Nutraceuticals
• Contract Manufacturer

Definition: Companies who provide support to Retailers, Distributors, Health Practitioners, Manufacturers, or Suppliers.  Individuals who work for or represent people or companies in the previous categories in areas such as transportation/logistics, demonstration/sampling, promotions, packaging, and brand management. If you optimize sales, provide fulfillment services, or otherwise grow brands on retail platforms, you qualify in Business Services.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website showing services 
• Brochure or other documentation detailing services offered

Business Types include:

• Consultant
• Advertising/Marketing/Branding/PR
• Government Agency
• Financial Institution/Investment Bank
• Not for Profit
• Association
• Packaging/Design
• Publisher
• Laboratory/Testing
• School/University Research
• Legal/Regulatory
• Amazon Consultants
• Other Within the Industry (must specify)

Definition: Business investors are organizations or a group of people who give capital to start or grow a business and in exchange for this, they gain some control of the business and formulate agreements.

Business proof must be current and include at least one of the following:

• Website detailing company function
• Proof of C Corp or LLC standing (must be a copy of the document itself)
• Annual Company Statement

Business Types include:

• Private Equity Fund
• Venture Capitalist/Corporate Investor
• Angel/Individual Investor
• Hedge Fund
• Peer-to-Peer/Crowdfunding

Definition: Any attendee not directly or indirectly involved in the Natural Products Industry.