BOSTON, MA — September 10, 2008

The Hemp Industries Association is holding its Convention and AGM in Boston next month. It's our yearly opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and learn about new products and developments in the hemp marketplace. I have been attending HIA conventions since 1994 and have always benefited from my participation. Most importantly, I have learned much about hemp and its myriad uses around the world from those on the front lines. If you are involved in a hemp business, interested in starting a hemp related business or just want to meet hemp entrepreneur's and learn about the latest products and trends, then the HIA Convention is for you. We have a great lineup of speakers this year (please see the list below).

This year we decided to hold the HIA Convention after Natural Products Expo East in Boston because many HIA members exhibit there, and it's a great opportunity for our members to learn more about the natural products market and attend the HIA Convention on the same trip. I encourage you to come learn about how Hemcreteš is coming to the U.S. market, the latest hemp food trends and industry sponsored nutritional research, and how to use various techniques to improve your bottom line.

I invite you to join the HIA and please make the commitment to attend and register for the HIA Convention in Boston today.

See you there!
Regards,

Eric Steenstra
HIA Executive Director

We have lined up some great featured speakers, including:

• Mario Machnicki, Managing Director, American Limetec: Hemcrete® and the Potential Market for Hemp in Building Construction
• Adam Eidinger, Mintwood Media: PR Tactics for Small Businesses
• Alex White Plume, Pine Ridge Hemp Project: The Lakota Hempcrete Project
• Amy Shollenberger, Rural Vermont: The "Hemp for Vermont" Bill: How to Successfully Pass State Hemp Legislation
• Anndrea Hermann, Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance: Canadian Update
• Barbara Filippone, Envirotextiles: Hemp Textiles Update
• Bernd Frank, Managing Director BaFa GmbH, Malsch, Germany: Industrial Hemp in the EU: Experiences and Future Prospects
• Carl Hedberg, Consultant & Editor: The Entrepreneurial Mindset in Mission-Driven Enterprises (based on the top-selling book on entrepreneurship)
• Christina Volgyesi, Living Harvest: The Hemp Foods Market & Consumer Studies Update
• Gero Leson, Leson & Associates, Berkeley, CA: Nutritional Assessment of Hemp Foods and the TestPledge Program

We have arranged for special room rates for Sunday and Monday nights at the Best Western Roundhouse Suites. The hotel is also offering special room rates for Natural Products Expo East attendees (as a separate arrangement with different rates and dates), so if you are attending or exhibiting at the Expo, you can conveniently stay there for both events.

Please note: Attendees are responsible for making their own room reservations. We recommended that you book your room before Friday, September 19th. Once our block of reserved rooms runs out, we cannot guarantee the hotel will have a room for you.

You must CALL the hotel at 617-989-1000 to make your reservation. Do not book online.

Please remember to mention the Hemp Industries Association when booking in order to get the HIA group rate, and be sure to get a reservation confirmation number.

Regular Rate Registration Fee – All Members: $250 per person until September 19, and the late rate will be $300 per person from September 20 up to the day of the event. HIA Full Company Members may bring additional attendees (company employees) at a $50 discount each. All other attendees must be HIA Supporting Members.

Additional information, including hotel description, registration form and payment options, is on the HIA Convention Web page:

If you need more information, please feel free to call the HIA office at 707-874-3648.