I'm pleased to report I will be covering for realNEO the 17th Annual Hemp Industry Association (HIA) Conference in San Francisco, California - November 8, 2010.

Please see the enclosed press release for details and contact me at norm [at] realneo [dot] us if you have any specific issues or questions you would like me to explore for this community. I look forward to sharing with the world the important work of this association, representing a near-half-billion-dollar industry that is just taking off in America and worldwide.

Hemp Industries Association to Meet in San Francisco November 8th for Annual Convention

17th Annual Convention to follow San Francisco Green Festival – Rare Historical
Documents on Hemp Research by USDA will be on Display

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The 17th annual convention of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) will be held on November 8th at the Holiday Inn Civic Center in San Francisco, CA. The HIA represents a fast growing and environmentally sustainable industry that is creating new jobs, with an estimated $400 million in sales in 2009, despite a federal policy that outlaws hemp farming. Business leaders of the North American hemp industry will meet in San Francisco to map out plans for bringing back hemp farming in the United States, to present updates on industry developments, and to share new data about expanding markets.

The long lost diaries of former USDA Chief Botanist Lyster Dewey, discovered by the HIA and featured in The Washington Post during the first annual Hemp History Week in May 2010, will be on display at the convention as an example of the organization's recent efforts to educate the public about America's rich history with industrial hemp, despite over 50 years having passed since the last commercial hemp crop was grown in the United States. The diaries and personal photos of the USDA's top expert on fiber production for more than 40 years reveal a treasure trove of information on hemp farming research by the U.S. Government from the 1890's to the 1940's. Excerpts of the newly discovered diaries will be read aloud by HIA Executive Director, Eric Steenstra, and will be available for viewing by convention attendees and members of the media.

Speakers at this year's HIA convention will include natural product industry leaders, such as David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and Heather Howitt, founder of Oregon Chai and Meriwether Group. The convention will also feature branding expert David Gauger of Gauger + Associates as well as Mario Machnicki, an expert in green building who will address the benefits of hemp based concrete in building construction.

Confirmed 2010 HIA Annual Convention Speakers are as follows:

David Bronner, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps - Going Fair Trade: The Challenges of Setting Up Sustainable and Fair Supply Chains and Having Them Certified

David Gauger, Gauger + Associates - Strategies for Branding Hemp Products

Anndrea Hermann, Hemp Oil Canada - Canadian & Hemp Farming Update

John Roulac, Nutiva - Success and Growth in the Natural Products Industry

Heather Howitt, Meriwether Group - Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship

Mario Machnicki, American Limetec - Hemcrete® and the Potential Market for Hemp in Building Construction

Christina Volgyesi, HIA - Hemp History Week 2010 Report and 2011 Update

Eric Steenstra, Executive Director of HIA – Presenting the Diaries and Photos of former USDA Chief Botanist, Lyster Dewey

The convention will also include a presentation on plans for the second annual national public education campaign, Hemp History Week – May 2-8, 2011. Designed to renew strong support for the re-legalization of industrial hemp farming in the United States, the first annual event was a success with nearly 200 events in 32 states nationwide. Supported by leading natural product brands such as Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, French Meadow Bakery, Manitoba Harvest, Merry Hempsters, Nature’s Path, Nutiva, Living Harvest Foods and Sequel Naturals, the second annual campaign aims to feature events nationwide with the participation of over 500 retail stores across the country. The campaign is endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil and Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert, among others. For further information, go to: http://www.HempHistoryWeek.com

# # #

The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) represents the interests of the hemp industry and encourages the research and development of new hemp products. Further information about hemp advocacy may be found at www.HempIndustries.org and www.VoteHemp.com

MISSION & GOALS

The mission of the HIA, a 501(c)(6) membership-based non-profit trade group, is to represent the interests of the hemp industry and to encourage the research and development of new products made from industrial hemp, low-THC oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis. The HIA and HIA Members: Educate the public about the exceptional attributes of hemp products. Facilitate the exchange of information and technology between hemp agriculturists, processors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Maintain and defend the integrity of hemp products. Advocate and support socially responsible and environmentally sound business practices.

A Trade Association with a Conscience

Members of the HIA support ethical business practices, including accuracy in labeling, use of environmentally friendly technologies, sustainable and organic agriculture, high quality products and concern for human rights. It is the intention of the HIA to take all necessary steps to assure consumer confidence in hemp products. An HIA Member company agrees to the Association's standards. Display of the HIA Membership insignia in business promotion and advertising is a mark of prestige.

Strength in Numbers

The HIA wants to make your experience in the hemp industry as profitable and problem-free as possible. Each new business that joins also increases the HIA's ability to work on behalf of the industry as a whole and to act on behalf of its individual members. Because of the support from our membership, we have been able to fund other value-added services like HempStores.com and TestPledge.com.

Experience You Can Trust

You're in good company with the HIA, which was founded in 1992. As a voting member, you can be confident that your voice will be heard. HIA members actively engage in the importation, manufacture, research and promotion of industrial hemp and hemp products. They have practical experience handling the day-to-day details of running a business and understand your concerns and needs.

Hemp is Business: A Wealth of Products & Supreme Versatility

Click here for a listing of products from HIA companies. These represent just the beginning of a huge wealth of possible items that can be manufactured from hemp.