Sweets & Snacks Expo Product Awards Program Now Open

Submissions for the Sweets & Snacks Expo’s fifth annual Most Innovative New Product Awards program are now being accepted. Hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based National Confectioners Association (NCA) at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the May 24-26 expo will feature more than 200 new exhibitors as well as an additional second hall this year.

With an average of 300 item submissions each year, the Most Innovative New Product Awards give exhibiting companies the chance to introduce their new products to the expo’s 16,000-plus attendees. The judging panel represents a wide range of industry executives across all leading channels affecting the confectionery and snack industries. Companies that submit an entry get direct feedback from the taste panel judges following the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

There are a total of nine award categories, with five nominees per award chosen as finalists. Of the 45 nominees, the highest-rated product will be designated “Best in Show” for 2016. The award categories are chocolate, non-chocolate, gum & mints, novelty/licensed (candy & snacks), gourmet/premium (candy & snacks), seasonal (candy & snacks), salty snacks, sweet snacks, and savory snacks.

Those wishing to submit products can visit the Sweets & Snacks Expo website. The submission deadline is Monday, April 11.