Sweets and Snacks Expo Brought WOW Factor to Attendees
May 25, 2014
Walking into the Sweets and Snacks Expo at McCormick Place, the smell of candy and popcorn was almost as powerful as the bright colors of the 650 booths seen covering 165,000 plus square foot of exhibit space.
And the 16,000 attendees clearly were enjoying the expo and samples of candy and snacks that were plentiful during the show that was held May 20-22.
“We have seen a strong jump in attendance in our show, both with exhibitors and attendees,” said Theresa Anthony, senior director of the National Confectioners Association Expo.
She added, “We have also expanded our international presence, with over 90 different countries represented, and had five international pavilions on the show floor.”
Greg Wilson, sales manager at Cosmos Creations, said he was happy to see such a strong international presence.
“We have not only talked to retail buyers from North America and Europe, we have also seen attendees from South America, which gives us great exposure,” he added. “Once the show is over, we are very excited to see the results from the engagement on the show floor.”
According to Anthony, trends in the confectionery industry include ‘free from’, such as gluten-free and fortified snacks, and a move to natural-based snacks.
Also, with the demand for products growing, companies are starting to use new ingredients to create something unique, such as beer-flavored jelly beans. In addition, seasonality is driving the industry, and the show provided seminars on how to merchandise seasonal confections, among other topics.
“Our goal for attending the show was to get a flavor for the industry and players, and help us with resources and networking as we launch our new business,” said Beth Renaud, president of The Sweet Tooth.
First-time exhibitor Robin Strickland, ‘Big Boss’ at Big Little Fudge, also was looking for those connections.
“This show has been fantastic. We have been able to network with retailers, distributors and brokers,” she added. “We even have had conversations around exporting, which gives us great avenues to explore. The show provides great resources as well for companies just starting out.”
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) offers many resources, both for long-time industry players and those just starting to get involved with the industry.
“The Sweets and Snacks Expo has a main goal of giving attendees a memorable experience in an industry that is in constant change and growth,” Anthony said. “And we encourage all in the industry to become a member of the NCA so that they can learn, grow and give back.”
Long-time attendee Robert Chiostri, vice president of Drug Channel Sales at Carlin O’Brien, compared the early years of the show to today. “
The show used to be called the All Candy Expo, and was fairly small,” he said. “It is amazing to see how much the show has evolved, and to see the expansion of the types of products at the show and how the industry has truly developed and matured over time.”
Next year’s show takes place May 19-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment