WASHINGTON — For the first time in the history of the Sweets & Snacks Expo, over 400 of the top candy and snack companies will head to Indianapolis to celebrate two years of the industry’s most innovative products. Indianapolis has played host to important events this year, including the NCAA Men’s March Madness basketball tournament, and the Sweets & Snacks Expo will join these events to give the candy and snack industries the chance to get back to business and deliver the latest innovations from some of America’s favorite candy and snack companies.
“The Sweets & Snacks Expo offers the candy and snack industries the chance to come together and share their latest new products and innovations,” John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “This year, this event is even more important as confectionery and snack products have helped consumers improve their emotional well-being during a challenging time. We know after a year of treating and snacking at home during the pandemic, they’re hungry for new product innovation from their favorite brands.”
The latest numbers indicate growing industry excitement around the show:
- 2,250 retail attendees representing 1,400 banners across all classes of trade and counting
- 95% of attendees say networking at the Sweets & Snacks Expo exceeds their expectations
- 92% of attendees say Sweets & Snacks Expo education exceeds their expectations
- More than 70 suppliers to the candy and snack industries have locked in their attendance at our inaugural Supplier Showcase, which takes place Tuesday, June 22, the day before the show begins
Sweets & Snacks Expo show management, the City of Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center have worked together to ensure that the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo will be successful and safe for all attendees. The City of Indianapolis has invested $7 million in convention center upgrades, including hospital-grade air filtration, touchless doors, Clorox 360 sanitation, hand sanitizer stations and safe concessions and dining areas. Additionally, the show will require masking, social distancing, and daily temperature checks.
While these important safety measures will continue throughout the event, current trends around the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraging, especially as cases begin to decline in some areas due to increased vaccinations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that people who have received the vaccine can travel and has provided guidance to ensure doing so is as safe as possible.
Past show attendees have rallied behind this year’s in-person Sweets & Snacks Expo, sharing their perspectives on why this show is the must-attend event for industry leaders.
To register for the Sweets & Snacks Expo, visit SweetsAndSnack.com/Register. For more information, visit SweetsAndSnacks.com.
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier event for the confectionery and snack industries. Featuring new product launches, business-building solutions and merchandising innovations, this annual trade show brings together qualified candy and snack retail professionals and company representatives who showcase the latest in candy and snack products. The event is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association.
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that promotes the unique role of chocolate, candy, gum and mints in a happy, balanced lifestyle and the companies that make these special treats. Through advocacy and regulatory guidance, communications, industry insights and retail and supply chain engagement, NCA helps create an environment that enables candy makers and confectionery retailers to thrive. As the leading association for the $36 billion U.S. confectionery industry, NCA works to ensure that chocolate and candy are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 55,000 workers in more than 1,300 manufacturing facilities across the country.
