SNACKS: Sweets & Snacks Expo Still Growing
The 2010 Sweets & Snacks Expo (formerly the All Candy Expo), which will take place May 25 through May 27 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, has sold out of exhibit space with a record-breaking 484 exhibitors — representing a 7.5 percent increase over 2009, according to the event’s organizer, the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The expo is the largest confectionery, cookie and snack show in the Americas, and Washington-based NCA maintains that this surge of interest bolsters the show’s status worldwide.
“At a time when trade shows in many other industries have declined, the Sweets & Snacks Expo has grown and become even more valuable to confectionery and snack manufacturers and customers alike,” noted Larry Graham, president of NCA. “The re-branding of our show better reflects the wide variety of snack products featured at the expo and has gone a long way to make the show more attractive to exhibitors and attendees.”
The exhibitors at the 2010 event will include 132 new companies, a 22 percent rise in first-time exhibitors. NCA partly attributes this increase to its expansion into biscuits, cookies, salty snacks and packaged cakes in recent years.
“Snack products have exploded onto the scene at the Sweets & Snacks Expo,” explained Graham. “This year, at least half of our exhibitors will feature at least one non-confectionery snack item. The expo is seen at the best venue to find new products, new suppliers and new merchandising ideas across the broad snacking industry.”
The show is the only trade show that represents all of the major U.S. distribution channels of confectionery and snack products, and features exhibitors that run the gamut from the largest multinational firms to boutique and gourmet companies. This wide mix of exhibitors draws trade customers from all distribution channel.
“Our attendee pre-registration numbers are tracking slightly ahead of last year, with many new retailers already registered to attend,” said Michael Rosenberg, Sweets & Snacks Expo Committee chairman and president and CEO of The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc. “Candy and snacks are a $300 billion industry worldwide, and the industry knows that the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the best place to discover what’s new in their categories.”
Among the upcoming show’s features are the New Product Showcase, which introduces thousands of snack and confectionery items are introduced each year in the United States, more than any other food category; the Merchandising Solution Center, featuring manufacturers of merchandising vehicles and tips and products to increase sales at retail., as well as the “Magic of Merchandising” display gallery; the Gourmet Marketplace; which showcases top manufacturers of gourmet, organic and natural products; Go-To-Market Sessions presented by key retailers Rite-Aid and Sam’s Club the day before the event opens; and Keynote Sessions held on Tuesday and Wednesday before the opening of the expo on topics of importance to retailers to come away with ideas and insights on how to grow their business.
For more information the 2010 Snacks & Sweets Expo, visit www.sweetsandsnacks.com, or call (202) 534-1440.
“At a time when trade shows in many other industries have declined, the Sweets & Snacks Expo has grown and become even more valuable to confectionery and snack manufacturers and customers alike,” noted Larry Graham, president of NCA. “The re-branding of our show better reflects the wide variety of snack products featured at the expo and has gone a long way to make the show more attractive to exhibitors and attendees.”
The exhibitors at the 2010 event will include 132 new companies, a 22 percent rise in first-time exhibitors. NCA partly attributes this increase to its expansion into biscuits, cookies, salty snacks and packaged cakes in recent years.
“Snack products have exploded onto the scene at the Sweets & Snacks Expo,” explained Graham. “This year, at least half of our exhibitors will feature at least one non-confectionery snack item. The expo is seen at the best venue to find new products, new suppliers and new merchandising ideas across the broad snacking industry.”
The show is the only trade show that represents all of the major U.S. distribution channels of confectionery and snack products, and features exhibitors that run the gamut from the largest multinational firms to boutique and gourmet companies. This wide mix of exhibitors draws trade customers from all distribution channel.
“Our attendee pre-registration numbers are tracking slightly ahead of last year, with many new retailers already registered to attend,” said Michael Rosenberg, Sweets & Snacks Expo Committee chairman and president and CEO of The Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc. “Candy and snacks are a $300 billion industry worldwide, and the industry knows that the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the best place to discover what’s new in their categories.”
Among the upcoming show’s features are the New Product Showcase, which introduces thousands of snack and confectionery items are introduced each year in the United States, more than any other food category; the Merchandising Solution Center, featuring manufacturers of merchandising vehicles and tips and products to increase sales at retail., as well as the “Magic of Merchandising” display gallery; the Gourmet Marketplace; which showcases top manufacturers of gourmet, organic and natural products; Go-To-Market Sessions presented by key retailers Rite-Aid and Sam’s Club the day before the event opens; and Keynote Sessions held on Tuesday and Wednesday before the opening of the expo on topics of importance to retailers to come away with ideas and insights on how to grow their business.
For more information the 2010 Snacks & Sweets Expo, visit www.sweetsandsnacks.com, or call (202) 534-1440.