Seasonal festivities set to continue for ISM 2026 opening night party
Winners from last year's ISM, which attracted a host of global entries. Pic: Neill Barston
Anticipation is building surrounding this year’s ISM 2026 in Cologne, with the event set to be kicked-off in style with an opening party being held at the city’s new Confex venue, writes Neill Barston.
Confectionery Production will be returning as a media partner for the event, which runs between 1-4 February, with a total of 1,600 exhibitors now signed up to showcase the latest and greatest in sweets and snacking offerings of all shapes and sizes.
The opening celebrations begin at Confex on the evening of 1 February, as the event takes a bold leap forward from its previous format that had centred around an invited guest list, which will now be expanded to all attendees of the four-day event.
In total, 74 countries will be participating, and its organisers have confirmed that booking space has already exceeded the previous year’s performance, as it teams-up with its sister ProSweets show to introduce the new ISM Ingredients element.
As the trade fair’s team note, the showcase will place a high bar on creating an interactive experience and event programme that will promote a strong degree of knowledge exchange as well as the chance to witness some of the hottest new developments in the sector.
“ISM is using the 55th edition to further reinforce its position as a key driver of content for the industry. New formats like ISM Ingredients, a clear focus on relevant future themes and a top-class event programme, turn ISM into a central orientation platform for the entire market. With the aid of targeted eventisation measures we are consistently further developing the trade fair experience and creating additional points of contact to attract new target groups,” said Sabine Schommer, Director of ISM.
Furthermore, the ISM Award will be presented during the ISM Opening Night, which once again honours an outstanding personality from the sweets and snacks industry. In 2025, honours went to Ulrich Zuenelli, Managing Partner of Loacker, and this year’s victor will be there celebrating on the night with fellow attendees.
The personal exchange continues on the second day of the fair with the ProSweets Cologne Party, as well as further festivities at the Lab5 party presented by LIMITD will take place on 3 February at the Talks & Tasting Stage – with drinks, snacks and a live DJ.
In addition, the show is packed full of key features including its Expert Stage on the Central Boulevard at the entrance to Hall 10.1 , serves as a content hub for the trade fair. It will see the return of presentations from Euromonitor and Innova Market Research, addressing core issues of digitalisation and sustainability, through to discussing labour shortages and how AI may impact the industry in the coming months and years ahead. For a full exclusive preview interview, see the next edition of Confectionery Production magazine.
