The 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo is expected to grow by nearly 20% from last year, and will feature new educational offerings and more networking opportunities
The confectionery and snack industry has experienced overwhelming growth and innovation over the past five years, and it is because of this growth that the National Confectioners Association is expanding this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo. The expansion includes the addition of the new Skyline Hall, which will feature more than 130 new companies at the 2016 Expo. Exhibiting companies are expected to grow by nearly 20%.
“The Sweets & Snacks Expo has become the industry’s proven destination where attendees gain the best access to the companies, products, people and insights they need to grow their business,” noted Barry Rosenbaum, Expo chairman and president of Nassau Candy Distributors Inc. “Managing the growth of the Expo over the past several years has allowed us to deliberately and carefully plan for additional exhibit space, new educational offerings and more networking opportunities.”
Located across the concourse on the same level as the current West hall, the addition of the Skyline Hall will feature not only more companies, but also the latest emerging industry trends, including the expanded “Innovation Avenue.”
In addition to containing a second knowledge center specializing in tracks on snacking, specialty trends as well as the newest consumer and shopping trends, the Most Innovative New Products Awards showcase & ceremony will be also located in the new hall. Visitors will be able to experience awards showcase highlighting the top 45 new items deemed to have potential to become best sellers by the Expo’s hand-selected Taste Panel, and then vote electronically via the event app on their favorite.
The 2015 Sweets & Snacks Expo welcomed 16,000 industry professionals from nearly 90 countries showcasing 630 companies. In 2016, more than 750 exhibitors are expected to participate. “The Expo’s evolution into the largest candy and snack global event allows us to offer even more reasons for attendees to return each year. We hold an unprecedented 98% loyalty rating in terms of the Expo’s business value to attendees,” commented Larry Wilson, vice president industry affairs, with the National Confectioners Association.
The Expo is unique in attracting thousands of pre-qualified candy and snack retail and wholesale customers representing nearly every distribution channel from the largest global retail chains down to small, independently-owned candy shops. It is the premiere, world-class event in the candy and snack industry.
Registration for the expo opens in December.