ProSweets organisers confirm revised 2023 show plans alongside global ISM trade fair
pic: Neill Barston
The organisers of the key ProSweets event have given a green light holding the event in 2023, at a ‘one-off’ revised later date alongside ISM in Cologne, with a shortened timetable, reports Neill Barston.
Koelnmesse has confirmed that the supplier event will now be held between 23-25 April, following consultation with exhibitors and sponsors for the annual showcase for confectionery equipment, systems and ingredients. Previous editions, including this year’s show in Germany had been held over four days, but it was felt that in light of conditions, a more concise showcase next year would be warranted.
The latest development follows an announcement several weeks ago that ISM would be moved from its traditional place at the end of January, with organisers citing ‘unprecedented supply chain, energy and consumer behaviour challenges’ that had impacted on the industry.
Sector concerns had been voiced to Confectionery Production regarding altering the schedule for ISM and ProSweets, given the timing of the major global Interpack show centred on packaging and processing technolgy due to take place in neighbouring Dusseldorf within just a couple of weeks later than the events in Cologne, between 4-10 May.
However, Koelnmesse believed that there was sufficient positive response to warrant ProSweets proceeding, with its organising teams now setting about a programme for the event.
Claire Steinbrück, the new Food Technology Vice President Trade Fair Management, Koelnmesse, said: “The feedback from our customers to the survey we carried out and the many personal discussions with our exhibitors underline the need for the execution and offer of a ProSweets Cologne 2023 – Special Edition in April. Regardless of the date being postponed, the secret of ProSweets Cologne 2023’s success has also asserted itself – and this is the fact that it is staged parallel to ISM: Their unique constellation of covering the entire value chain of the production and supplier industries and the trade. We are thus convinced that the exhibitors of ProSweets Cologne 2023 will be able to network with the relevant key players and do business in the usual manner in the course of this special edition,”
Important partners of ProSweets Cologne such as the German Agricultural Society (DLG), Sweets Global Network eV (SG), the German Confection Industry (BDSI) and the Central College of the German Confectionery Industry eV (ZDS) will take part in the trade fair as usual and will be involved in co-shaping the event and lecture program and will inform the visitors about the latest developments for instance regarding global raw material procurement or sustainable packaging concepts.
