NCA confirms Sweets and Snacks new venues from 2024
The National Confectioners Association has confirmed that its flagship Sweets & Snacks Expo event will move from its historic home in Chicago and rotate between Indianapolis and Las Vegas from 2024, writes Neill Barston.
It comes as the show marks its 25th anniversary this May, with the event returning to McCormick Place after moving temporarily last year amid the pandemic.
The move was announced at the NCA’s State of the Industry Conference this week (pictured above with John Downs, CEO, right of photo), with the organisation stating that ‘taking the show on the road’ would enable the event to grow to new heights.
Beginning in 2024, the Sweets & Snacks Expo will cycle through a rotation of two years at the Indiana Convention Centre in Indianapolis, followed by one year at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas until 2032.
In May, McCormick Place in Chicago will host the 2022 & 2023 Sweets and Snacks Expos. “Indianapolis and Las Vegas are the right fit to meet the growing demand for our show and enable it to continue providing the innovation, insights and connections that the candy and snacks industries want and need,” NCA President & CEO John Downs said.
“This decision is all about the show’s future, and it was driven by our exhibitor and attendee community, for our exhibitor and attendee community.”
The decision to relocate the Sweets & Snacks Expo to Indianapolis and Las Vegas was made after careful deliberation by the Sweets & Snacks Expo Committee, which is chaired by Ferrero/Fannie May Confections Vice President of Sales and Business Development Ed Seibolt, and the NCA Board of Trustees. In 2021, the show relocated to Indianapolis because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We saw great success in Indianapolis during the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo, with many attendees expressing a desire to return,” Seibolt said.
“Similarly, Las Vegas is an international destination with the facilities and attractions to help the Sweets & Snacks Expo continue to scale. I believe all parties will benefit tremendously from everything our new host cities have to offer.” The Sweets & Snacks Expo brings together confectionery and snack retailers, manufacturers and suppliers to showcase the latest product innovations.
Every year, the show has a significant economic impact on its host city; in 2022, the show is expected to generate $21 million for the City of Chicago. “It has been a great pleasure engaging with the staff, board, and business members of the National Confectioners Association over the past 18 months and hosting the Sweets & Snacks Expo last June,” said Leonard Hoops, president & CEO of Visit Indy.
“After the success of the 2021 show under particularly challenging conditions, Indy and the NCA were clearly a natural fit for long-term growth. The 2024 show can’t come soon enough and we look forward to hosting these amazing people and businesses, small and large, for many years to come.” “We are honored the National Confectioners Association selected Las Vegas as a host city for the Sweets & Snacks Expo,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s best candy and snack makers to the destination with an ‘Only Vegas’ experience.”
