Sweets & Snacks closes Chicago with a record show
While the move to Indianapolis next year may be a bittersweet inflection for some of the brands that have established themselves over the years, those ConfectioneryNews spoke to said they are eager to embrace a new era and build on the success of the last quarter of a century.
And Expo left Chicago with a bang after organizers, the National Confectioners Association (NCA), announced that a record 18,000 registrants had come through the doors this year.
The Expo also attracted 800 exhibitors, including 250 first-time exhibitors, and among the 200 international exhibitors was a delegation from Ukraine, which was supported by the US government to come and display its garments.
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Christopher Gindlesperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications for the NCA, said the city was a key part of the show and an opportunity to see the latest innovations and what’s new in the candy and snack scene.
He said the Expo had a waiting list of over 100 companies and highlighted great examples of collaboration/mashups from brands like innovation Stuffed Puffs S’mores, a start-up that has seen a incredible growth since its inception in 2012.
Gindlesperger said candy and snacks are an affordable indulgence, and businesses continue to show resilience in the face of recent global events like war, pandemics and economic downturns.
The uplift was evident this year at Expo, with a surge of optimism clearly detectable not only from exhibitors and attendees, but also from suppliers, brokers and the NCA events team.
Ferrara is one of the companies that has seen tremendous growth at Expo over the years and has its roots deep in Chicago. Nonetheless, Greg Guidotti, the company’s chief marketing officer, said the move would be bittersweet, but the new opportunities and space offered by the move to Indianapolis and then Las Vegas will meet industry demands in the years to come.
Multi-sensory trends
Guidotti is responsible for sugar confectionery and fruit snacks in Ferrara’s daily and seasonal business and as CMO leads equity and strategic brand strategy providing portfolio leadership, growth and profitability and said the company has been able to capitalize on multi-sensory trends with a series of innovations, such as with the Nerds gummy clusters.
Indulgence permitted
Andrew Clarke, president of Mars Wrigley, said the chewing gum category has also rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels, but the category needs more innovation compared to other sectors. He was pleased with the company’s recent acquisition of Tru Fru, which gives the company a presence in the licensed pleasure space.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing topic at Expo and attendees heard that consumers are ready to switch to more sustainable brands, but price is still by far the main consideration when buying treats. Nearly a third of consumers surveyed by analytics firm Numerator said they had no idea of ​​a brand’s sustainability credentials and recommended education as a priority.
Heather K Terry, founder and CEO of ethical chocolate brand GoodSam, said consumers are increasingly curious about sustainability in their sweets and snacks and that it is central to her brand’s mission to attract those who want chocolate that is “good for me and good”. for the planet “.
Indianapolis
As a reminder of next year’s location for The Sweets & Snacks Expo, there was an Indy 500 car on display in the lobby and the engines are already revving back to Indianapolis where the show was first held. times as a single event. in 2021, due to Covid restrictions in Illinois.
The Indiana Convention Center has a lot to do – but everyone at the NCA is up for it and confident to keep Expo firmly on track.
