WASHINGTON — It's time once again for confectionery and snack retailers, as well as manufacturers to come together for the Sweets and Snacks Expo, which is scheduled to be held May 19-21 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Registration is now open, and the 2015 expo is expected to be the most successful in the event's 18-year history. The National Confectioners Association, which sponsors the expo, reports that the show floor is already sold out.
The 2014 expo proved record breaking, with more than 650 companies participating. For 2015, the show floor is expanding in square footage to welcome new exhibitors. More than 16,000 industry professionals are expected to attend.
“The global market is growing at a fast rate in a $428 billion candy and snack industry worldwide, and it is essential that the Expo provides access to more product categories from more international companies. Last year the show experienced double digit growth in international participation, making the Expo a one-stop-shop for candy and snack buyers from around the world,” said John Downs, Jr., president and CEO of NCA.
New on the agenda this year is the Expo's Knowledge Series, which was incorporated so attendees can gain more insights beyond what was happening on the show floor, according to Tim Quinn, Expo chairman and VP trade development for Mars Chocolate North America. The Retailer Impact Forum will also make its debut in 2015. Experts in the field will lend industry perspective on such topics as the current economic status, health-and-wellness trends and shifting demographics across the nation.