Call-out for news, views and commentary as we gear-up for ISM & ProSweets in Cologne

We’re merely a couple of weeks into 2026 and it feels like this is going to be ‘one of those years’ in which the almost dizzying cycle of world events is set to play out an ever more rapid pace.

For us as a magazine, perhaps our biggest immediate focus is rapidly arriving on the horizon in the form of ISM & ProSweets, so this is a short, sharp call to anyone in the sector who is attending these key shows – if you would like to meet up, don’t hesitate to drop me a line personally.

It’s fair to say that it is going to be an action-packed few days, but if there’s a mutual possibility of catching up, we’d be happy to do so. Equally, if you have any further show news, developments or comment, please do send it in our direction. The more the merrier on that front, as we rely on our engaged readers to keep their ear to the ground on key developments across the sector, alongside our own reporting on what makes the industry tick.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this year’s ISM will undoubtedly be the introduction of ISM ingredients, which appears to be gathering plenty of pre-show interest.

The growth in this segment is hardly accidental, with operating costs becoming significantly more expensive for many businesses, the market’s response in devising alternative ingredient offerings is making a major impact on its levels of activity.

So please do get in touch with any news, views or commentary as we move forward into the year, as we love to hear what is making a difference to the industry out there, whether that’s challenging topics, or a strong personal tale of achievement or engagement with the wider community. 

Here’s hoping that a busy January bodes well for us all as we prepare to take to the halls of ISM and its sister ProSweets show in Germany.  

Neill Barston, editor, Confectionery Production magazine