ISM and ProSweets organisers confirm plans for Cologne 2022 shows this month
Stand: Katjes, Halle 10.2
Organisers of the ISM and ProSweets events have moved to confirm the two key industry showcases are set to be staged later this month, despite challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, reports Neill Barston.
Preparations for the sector showcases have continued over recent weeks, including an enhanced hygiene programme in the wake of a travel ban placed on several nations including France, Denmark and the UK over high national coronavirus rates having been lifted earlier this week.
With other nationalities including the Netherlands presently experiencing a full national lockdown, conditions remain challenging for the international events sector – with shows due to be held in Cologne during this month being cancelled amid pandemic concerns.
However, having not been staged for two years, ISM and ProSweets organisers have confirmed that the shows gained consent from the incoming German government to proceed with the two influential trade fairs. They will take place between 30 January to 2 February 2022 after a two-year break.
The organising team anticipates up to 1,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries at the event, ISM, offers a good starting position for a re-start for the industry later this month after an enforced absence.
As the venue explained, ISM and ProSweets will return with the safety and hygiene concept #B-SAFE4business and admission being exclusively granted to people recovered from, vaccinated against COVID or who are in possession of a negative test CH3CK the leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks ensures the highest degree of safety for the participating companies and visitors.
“As the leading industry meeting point, our top priority is to ensure that the re-start is as safe as possible for the industry. At the same time, we want to set new accents with new themes in the scope of our event and congress programme. Lectures by experts, special events, start-up pitches and award ceremonies are just a few of the highlights the visitors can look forward to at ISM,” explained Sabine Schommer, Director ISM.
New Product Showcase
The New Product Showcase has established itself at ISM as an appealing attraction and as the key location for innovations. The trade visitors can examine the new products of 2022 in the many display windows of the special “New Product Showcase” exhibition in the new Hall 1. In addition, the three most innovative products of ISM 2022 that were distinguished during the ISM Night will be presented here.
Not only the contents, also the packaging play an important role: The ISM Packaging Award powered by ProSweets Cologne will be awarded for the most innovative form of packaging.
Trend Court
The Trend Court@ISM in Hall 5.2. is dedicated to the theme trends within the sweets industry. Different accents will be set in the three sections. New product trends and developments within the industry will be presented on a special area under the theme “Sweet Trends presented by Innova Market Insights”. Beyond this, Innova Market Insights and Euromonitor International will be organising trend presentations several times a day in the scope of the Expert Stage. The Expert Stage is additionally the place for an exchange of knowledge and information and is the joint lecture stage of ISM and the co-located ProSweets Cologne. Key industry themes will be discussed every day from Sunday to Wednesday. The lectures will also be available via the digital format ISM & ProSweets Cologne @home.
Furthermore, a total of round 20 companies that were founded no longer than five years ago, will present their innovations and new concepts in the Trend Court@ISM in the Start-up Area in Hall 5.2. The Start-up area is located in the Trend Section of Hall 5.2 and is the initial port-of-call for innovations. All of the start-ups additionally have the opportunity to present themselves in the scope of a start-up pitch. These will take place on the Expert Stage in Hall 5.2 on Tuesday morning.
In addition, as a conceptual innovation there is going to be a specialised trade section focusing on the small volume business with sweets and snacks for the first time at ISM 2022, which is entitled “Finest Creations – hand-crafted”. This exhibition section unites craft establishments, whose visitor target group comprises of confectioners, cake shops and specialised sweet shops. The new exhibition section will also be located in Hall 5.2.
#CONNECT2030 in transition – The Future Summit for Sweets and Snacks
In the scope of the future congress #CONNECT2030, ISM is placing the focus worldwide on the future of the sweets and snacks industry and will provide an overview of what is going to be possible in 2030.
The congress addresses suppliers, manufacturers and the trade in equal measures. The congress will focus on the following issues: Where is the journey headed? What developments await us? And which challenges will this bring with it?
In their keynote speech entitled “Future Sweets – What and how will we eat in 2030?”, Hon. Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters and Diana Drewes from the Berlin-based future agency for materials and technology, Haute Innovation, will speak about sustainable solutions for sweets with high nutritional values, recyclable packaging and future raw materials.
In the subsequent panel discussion, further experts from the food industry will discuss topics like: Saving resources: Ideas for the sustainable extraction and handling of raw materials in the sweets industry, CO², reduction and ideas for climate-friendly action, Developments revolving around the theme “Zero Food Waste”
What effect will the climate change have on the availability of raw materials?
The Congress is being staged on Tuesday, 1 February 2022, on the Expert Stage in Hall 5.2 as well as in digital format in the scope of ISM & ProSweets Cologne @home.
ISM Award
The ISM Award is being conferred for the eighth time this year. The winner will be honoured for outstanding services to the sweets and snacks industry at the gala evening on 30 January 2022. In 2020, the award went to Patrick Poirrier, CEO of the French family business CÉMOI.
