Sweet & Snacks Expo Preview
The sold-out 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo, slated for May 24–26 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, promises to be the most successful in the event’s 19-year history. Sponsored by the Washington, D.C.-based National Confectioners Association, the show will set an all-time record in volume of confectionery and snack products, with more than 720 companies displaying almost 4 acres of innovative items, while more than 16,000 industry professionals from nearly 90 countries are expected to attend.
The show floor this time around has expanded to a second venue: the new Skyline Hall, located across the concourse on the same level as the West Hall, where the event has been held in years past, will accommodate not only the growing exhibitor base, but also the latest emerging industry trends, including a larger “Innovation Avenue.”
The new hall will additionally feature a second knowledge center specializing in tracks on snacking, specialty, consumer and shopping trends, and serve as the venue for the Most Innovative New Product Awards showcase and ceremony, enabling visitors to view the top 45 new items tipped as best-sellers by the expo’s taste panel.
“Each year, the show continues to evolve and shatter existing records,” noted Barry Rosenbaum, expo chairman and president of Hicksville, N.Y.-based Nassau Candy Distributors Inc., in March. “Candy, cookies and snacks are a $438 billion industry worldwide, and the expo has become the proven destination for category professionals to gain the best access to the products, people and insights needed to grow their business.”
Spreading Knowledge
Special amenities offered to the expo’s growing contingent of international attendees — currently pegged at 15 percent of total attendee registration, but expected to climb — include an International Welcome Lounge, located adjacent to the show floor, where translators and representatives can answer questions, provide concierge services and help make visitors feel at home; a global overview of the state of the confection and snack industry; a customized floor plan highlighting export-friendly companies; and a guided retail store tour. Almost half of all expo exhibitors export products outside of the United States, while many are seeking opportunities to distribute internationally. The show will also see its largest number of international exhibitors to date, with more than 100 companies arriving from around the world.
Further, experts from the Consumer Electronics Show (produced by the Consumer Technology Association), Canadean, and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) will each present to Sweets & Snacks Expo attendees on the latest advancements occurring in retail. All three sessions will take place at the show’s new Discovery Theater, located in the Skyline Hall. Meanwhile, at the Sweet Insights Theater in the West Hall, Google will offer insights on omnichannel shoppers and how their behavior affects the candy and snack category.
“We know product and technology innovations are top of mind to our attendees,” said Rosenbaum. “By attending our 20-minute learning labs during Expo, retailers can take away actionable insights on how to keep relevant with their shoppers, given the latest advancements in the marketplace.”