ISM and ProSweets confectionery events set for digitally-led engagement
Sweet Kitchen @ISM, Tony's Chocolonely Show, Halle 3.1
The organisers of ISM and ProSweets key confectionery sector shows in Cologne, Germany, have spelt out its digital focus for the 2022 edition under the motto of “Always On” as a reflection of its enhanced connectivity, reports Neill Barston.
As Koelnmesse explained, its online platform for the next event, which comes after the cancellation of last year’s showcases due to the pandemic, will offer key physical and web-based networking opportunities, insights and trends.
According to the organising team, around 80% of stand space has now been sold for the shows, with exhibitors benefitting from the chance to access new target groups and present their solutions to an even broader public. The visitors can go live any time or call up content precisely when they have the time.
In addition, the digital components also offer those people, who cannot participate on-site, a new form of participation without missing out on the trade fair altogether. The platform is available to the exhibitors and visitors from 01.-02.02.2022. The physical trade fair already commences on 31.01.2022.
Exhibitors with a stand in Cologne are also represented with a digital presence without exception. An interactive exhibitor profile with contact data and product information provides a fast overview. Thanks to the “Talk-to-me” function, a spontaneous exchange between exhibitors and visitors is just as simple as visiting an exhibition stand. Appointments can of course also be arranged for a later point in time. The exhibitors can simply list the availability of the contact partners. Companies can also offer exclusive events: Digital Conference Rooms enable presentations, tastings, show cooking or PR events upon invitation.
In addition to the information offer at the digital exhibition stands of the exhibitors, the stages are the focal point of ISM & ProSweets @home. Trend lectures, trade information and start-up pitches will take place on the Expert Stage. At the Global Competence in Food Stage the visitors will receive information from the Koelnmesse Food network as well as market research results and sweet trends from all over the globe. The manufacturers will present their products and solutions in the form of short lectures on the Product Stages. All presentations will subsequently be available on demand up until 30 April 2022, which will further extend the reach of the trade fair.
Enhanced netoworking
Make new contacts and maintain existing relationships: The Communication Centre is the communicative control centre of ISM & ProSweets @home. The visualisation in the Discovery Graph shows the participants directly which exhibitors and visitors they are already virtually connected to. The “Contact of contacts” function as well as numerous filters make searching for new interesting business partners and potential business contacts easy. Audio, video and text chats, arranging appointments, messaging and screen sharing options, exchanging or downloading contact details and the incorporation of the social network accounts of XING and LinkedIn complete the range of communication tools for the exhibitors and visitors.
ISM & ProSweets @home goes live on 01.02.2022. Access to ISM & ProSweets @home is already included in all trade visitor admission tickets. Trade visitors, who are not able to travel to Cologne, have the opportunity to take part in the trade fair in a purely digital form via ISM & ProSweets @home.
As usual, the event and congress programme offers insights into the trends and developments of the sweets and snacks industry. Alongside the ISM Expert Stage, the platform for consumer and product trends, the New Product Showcase, awaits the visitors again, which with its trendsetting function for the industry will present the most innovative products of ISM 2022.
The trade programme is rounded off by the future congress #CONNECT2030 in transition, which is being organised in collaboration with ProSweets Cologne. Here, renowned experts will discuss what shape the future of the sweets and snacks industry will take on. The focus lies on the following topics:
Saving resources: Ideas for the sustainable handling of raw materials in the sweets production section
CO² reduction and ideas for climate-friendly action
Developments revolving around the theme “Zero Food Waste” (“Too good to go”, etc.)
What effect will the climate change have on the availability of raw materials?
Find out more about next year’s show at: https://www.ism-cologne.com/fair/industry-trade-fairs/
