Exclusive: Sweets & Snacks delivers an ace in the pack for Las Vegas 2026

A spirit of celebration marked this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, as major brands and emerging enterprises showcased a wide array of product launches across its action-packed three days, reports Neill Barston.

Confectionery Production was on hand to explore key launches across market segments that underlined a broader sense of resilience in the industry that has continued to weather broader economic and supply chain challenges within the region and around the world.

As the NCA noted, with record attendance figures of 17,500 industry professionals across three days visiting 1,000 exhibitors, as well as its companion supplier showcase event attracting some 200 firms, there were plenty of innovations on display, which will be given full coverage in our subsequent edition of Confectionery Production.

Moreover, as our title found walking its 275,000 square feet of expo space, the show’s expansive main hall at the Las Vegas Convention Centre was alive with a host of engaging conversations, insights and reflections on the region’s confectionery market, which posted improved sales figures of $55 billion for the past year.

With major portfolio upgrades showcase by the likes of Hershey, Ferrero, Ferrara, Mars, Mondelez and Barry Callebaut (below with a partnership confirmed with Planet A Foods for key chocolate alternative brand Choviva), as well as a host of SME businesses, there was heightened sense of anticipation surrounding 2026’s event. 

Among core overarching themes were a greater number of products being released with health and wellness claims – particularly in relation to protein, fibre and clean label ingredients. 

There were also plenty of contributions from businesses around the world, including Colombia’s Cordillera Chocolate, below, focused on delivering a high standard of sustainable sourcing as its core mission (see next edition of our magazine for a further on its contribution).

Many observers noted the pull factor of Las Vegas had offered a key boost to the event, with the vibrant city’s status as the entertainment capital of the US finding a strong parallel with the sweets and snacks industry, which retains a sense of fun and enjoyment at its core, despite wider tests that have been spotlighted in recent months.

The event also featured its fast-rising supplier showcase across two half days of the show, starting on May 18, which set the tone for the event, which attracted a dynamic audience of visitors from all segments of the market.

For his part, John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, host organisation for Sweets & Snacks Expo, believed it had been a key triumph.

He said: “Bringing Sweets & Snacks to Las Vegas for the first time created a unique opportunity to showcase the bold innovation, creativity, and momentum driving the confectionery and snack industries in a city known globally for its energy,”

“We brought Vegas-level excitement to every part of the event, with robust education, dynamic networking, and breakthrough products that reinforced why Sweets & Snacks Expo remains the industry’s premier event.”

There was plenty of optimism right across the event, as our title found speaking to a wide range of firms, from start-up operations, to major market players exhibiting this year.

Among notable new entries into the event was Verse Chocolate, which is establishing itself as a strong independent contender, introducing its fine chocolate cups and medallions, which it has developed with a direct sourcing model with West African cocoa communities (see next edition for more in our overall review).

US firm Verse Chocolate, focused on ethical sourcing, made its Sweets & Snacks Expo debut this week. Pic: Neill Barston

Mike Gilroy, vice president of industry engagement and sponsorship at Mars, felt that the overall quality of this year’s event had been especially striking across the board.

Commenting on its own appearance at this year’s show, he explained there was a definite “Vegas factor” that had enhanced the mood at the event.

He said: “We are super excited about being here in Las Vegas, which is a first for Sweets & Snacks, and we have seen that there’s 17,500 people that has set a new record, so those are outstanding numbers, and we’ve been excited for people to sample our new range of products as they’ve come on by to our stand.

Mike Gilroy of Mars discusses some of its key releases this summer. Pic: Neill Barston

“Among our releases this year, we’ve got our freeze dried M&Ms in caramel, which is a first of its kind chocolate item, another first with Twix bits, and ‘Swicy’ Skittles gummies,” he noted, explaining that the business had honed its focus on seasonality of products, delivering a wider range of items that chimed with traditions throughout the year, including for Halloween, which is now increasingly being celebrated early, prompting companies, including Mars itself, to drive fresh innovations.

• See our next edition of Confectionery Production magazine for an extensive review of Sweets & Snacks Expo, including exclusive content from key businesses at the event.