Two special guests—inspirational speaker and visionary Panache Desai and vegan consultant Kelly Bennett—addressed the publishers, including Audrey Chen of Bucks and Montgomery counties, and participated in discussions. Conference topics included ways to support the growth of holistic, green businesses; the Natural Awakenings Web store (NAWebStore.com); the Natural Awakenings Network (NAN), a nationwide health services and green products discount network at NaturalAwakeningsNetwork.com; the company’s iPhone and iPad apps (downloaded by nearly 24,000 individuals); and the firm’s newest venture, an online conscious/spiritual/green dating site (NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com).

Natural Awakenings magazines are part of a nationwide franchise, each locally owned and operated. Launched by Bruckman in 1994 with a single edition in Naples, Florida, the magazine will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2014. It has grown into one of the largest free, local, healthy lifestyle publications in the world, serving more than 3.8 million readers in 87 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“Bringing our Natural Awakenings family of publishers together is a valuable opportunity to share fresh ideas and information and inspire each other as we all work in our communities to create a healthier, more sustainable world,” Bruckman says.

For more information, visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.