Sweets & Snacks Expo celebrates record attendance in its new Indianapolis home
pic: Neill Barston
This week in Indianapolis, there has been much enthusiastic talk of “Hoosier Hospitality,” the local warm welcome that the region has become particularly recognised for, and the city did not fail to deliver on the sense of anticipation of Sweets & Snacks Expo’s return to the city.
Having hosted the show back in 2021 at the height of the pandemic, the host NCA organisation had identified the clear potential for its greater space, as well as the convenience of its facilities, together with visitor feedback, which added up as a compelling reason to return.
From walking its sizeable halls, there’s been a genuine sense of excitement surrounding the new home for the event, so, with a flight home to catch, this week’ s blog really is one to say a big thanks indeed for that genuine warm welcome that everyone received here in Indiana.
There has certainly been plenty of intriguing innovation on display this year, from major players including Mars, Mondelez and Hershey and Ferrara, through to the wealth of small and medium-sized enterprises that have contributed to the event being an eclectic success in its new setting.
With new flavours, textures and concept coming into the frame this year, there has been a very positive energy surrounding the event over the past few days. As the NCA’s president and CEO John Downs explained to me this week, ‘the big and bold theme has paid off’ and while nobody had a crystal ball as to how it would in fact play out for the 2024 edition, there has been plenty to celebrate during the week.
One important element to note is the return of its supplier showcase event held over Monday and Tuesday, which attracted the highest number of exhibitors ever, with over 200 firms represented from companies hailing from across the world, which added to its international flavour.
You can catch plenty more on the show in in our upcoming review and video pieces due shortly, but for now, with record attendance figures and a sense of optimism despite some background ongoing challenges in supply chains that have caused price inflation with the sector, there’s plenty of hope for the future as the industry moves ever forward.
Neill Barston, editor, Confectionery Production
- If you’ve any news from your time at the show, drop me a line this week at [email protected] and keep in touch via @confectionprod social media and our LinkedIn pages
