Let’s start with the part no one warns you about: A guest badge to Expo West costs about $4,000. Yes. Four. Thousand. Dollars. For a badge that basically says, “You’re not technically in the industry, but we’ll let you in if you promise not to cause chaos.”

Thankfully, I didn’t pay that. I slid in with a press badge, used my Bonvoy points to secure two nights at the Marriott Anaheim, and survived the week by spending wisely and walking aggressively.

@wanderwithmichael

Room tour at the Anaheim Marriott for Expo West. Gold status now, working my way to Platinum. Perfect home base for the week. #hotels #wheretostay #expowest #tiktokgo #hotelreviews

♬ Storytelling – Adriel

This was my second year, so I came in with experience, strategy, and electrolytes. And yes — the horror stories are still true. The crowds. The chaos. The stampede toward free adaptogenic beverages. The influencers filming themselves eating chickpea puffs like it’s performance art.

But with a game plan and a little emotional resilience, I survived. I met creators, found ingredients, formed new bonds, and ate like I was preparing for winter.

Here’s my full recap — and how to navigate Expo West without crying behind the collagen booth.

🫶 1. The Creator Collision Zone (AKA: Who You’ll Actually Run Into)

Expo West is where every corner of the food and wellness creator world collides like a cosmic Whole Foods.

This year I ran into:

• food bloggers
• content creators
• brand founders
• ingredient people
• and the TikTok influencers with a million followers speaking at the TikTok Shop City Tour event down the street.

It’s like the algorithm came to life and decided to walk around in branded tote bags.

Vendor meals were a whole thing too. Some were lovely. Some wanted to eat 30 minutes away, which is basically asking me to sacrifice two hours of precious floor time. Absolutely not. I love you, but not enough to miss the new mushroom jerky launch.

🧠 2. If You Want to Attend Next Year, Start Preparing Now

(Yes, I’m talking to you, future Expo West hopeful.)

Expo West is not an event you just “show up” to. It’s an endurance sport. A pilgrimage. A wellness‑coded marathon with kombucha breaks.

If you want to attend in 2027, here’s your starter pack:

Start blogging. Start vlogging. Start posting.

Become part of the food & wellness media ecosystem. Press badges don’t fall from the sky — you earn them by showing up online.

Start eating healthier.

Your body will thank you when you’re 14 samples deep and still have 3 halls to go.

Start getting fit.

You will walk 20,000 steps a day. You will climb escalators. You will dodge strollers, rolling carts, and people handing out turmeric shots.

Start taking care of your gut.

You will consume:

• probiotics
• prebiotics
• postbiotics
• adaptogens
• collagen
• and at least one beverage that claims to “support mitochondrial joy”

And most importantly: have a game plan.

If you walk into Expo West raw and unprepared, the expo will chew you up and spit you out next to a compostable packaging booth.

I printed the entire expo map (yes, on actual paper like it was 2004) and highlighted every brand with:

• a weird name
• an ingredient we needed
• or vibes that felt promising

It took me six hours. Six. Hours.

The Expo West app helps too — you can search, save booths, and pretend you’re organized. It won’t sort your favorites by hall, but if you enjoy sprinting from Hall E to North Hall like you’re in a Marvel movie, you’ll be fine.

🤝 3. Form New Bonds (AKA Collect Humans Like Pokémon)

Expo West is where online connections become real‑life “Oh my god you’re taller than I expected!” moments.

I met:

• superconnectors
• ingredient wizards
• creators I’ve only seen on my FYP
• people who recognized me from projects I forgot I did

Some meetings were so perfectly timed I had to call my CSO and beg him to attend. Worth it.

If you’re not at Expo West to get things done, you’re wasting your company’s money. Yes, it’s fun. Yes, the snacks are elite. But the real ROI comes from the decisions you make and the relationships you build.

🎤 4. The Ending You Deserve (Because You Survived)

By the time you finish your meetings, your steps, your samples, and your sanity, you’ll reach a point where you’re no longer walking — you’re floating on caffeine, collagen, and pure willpower.

You’ll look down at your tote bags and realize you’re basically a pack mule for adaptogens.

You’ll swear you’re never coming back. You’ll swear your feet will never forgive you. You’ll swear you can’t look at another protein bar again.

And then… you’ll open your email and see the dates for next year. And suddenly you’re like:

“Yeah… I could do this again.”

Because Expo West is overwhelming, exhausting, chaotic, and absolutely magical. And yes — I already want to go back next year.

@wanderwithmichael

“I tried so many brands at @natprodexpo now I’m on a mission to test them throughout the year — while working, traveling, and staying committed to my healthy journey. The sport of foodmanship continues.”

♬ Walking Around – Eldar Kedem