SWEETS & SNACKS EXPO 2012 - CELEBRATES “SWEET 16”

On May 8-10, 2012, Chicago, IL, the National Confectioners Association (NCA) 2012 Sweets & Snacks Expo was held at McCormick Place. This year’s show was the largest in its 16-year history, occupying more than 142,000 sq.ft. with more than 550 companies exhibited their products. The event was attended by 15,000 industry professionals from 70 countries.

With sweets and snacks representing a whopping 80 billion industry in the United States, there is something to satisfy every taste and craving. From every possible chocolate treat to a variety of candies and popcorn, and, of course, jerky treats from meat lovers to a vegetarian variety.

While perusing through hundreds of elaborately set-up booths, I would stop by here and there and gather samples from familiar and new product manufacturers. All, for research purposes, course. I felt like Charlie at the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” If children were allowed at the Sweets & Snacks Expo they would most certainly experience what it feels like to be at a “fantasy candy-land.” However, the Expo is not open to the public.

NCA President Larry Graham remarked that “"without a doubt, the 2012 expo was our most successful show yet for both exhibitors and attendees." He followed with “for the third year straight, we posted significant growth in both the show size and number of companies. We delivered more than 570 exhibiting companies and 140 new exhibitors to the 2012 expo -- that's a 15 percent increase from the 2010 show.”

As the Opening Day was winding down, I attended Jelly Belly sponsored VIP after party on the rooftop patio at McCormick place. Where the attendees had a chance to unwind, meet other industry professionals, listen to a band followed by a performance by a well-known American guitarist and singer-songwriter, Kina Grannis. Guests also enjoyed au d'oeuvres and cocktails.
The 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo will take place May 21-23, again at Chicago's McCormick Place.
For information on future events or event sponsorship, please call 847.274.1648.

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Leonard Mogul
Kontinent Media

Photos by: Alex Riemann

A special thank you to Palo Popcorn for their product contribution to Arts4Kids Field Trip.