Sweets & Snacks Expo opens in Indy with key industry confectionery launches

An innovative and energetic tone was set for the first full day of Sweets & Snacks Expo, as some 1,000 exhibitors across the sector assembled for the much-anticipated 2025 edition, writes Neill Barston.

As the previous night’s award ceremony had revealed, bold and engaging flavours were the clear hallmark of entrants and winners of the company’s annual honours, which was a pattern which was replicated on the show floor, as exhibitors pulled out the stops to make an impression.

Notably, more than 14,000 visitors registered for this year’s event at the Indiana Convention Centre in Indianapolis, including a broad spectrum of small and medium-sized enterprises alongside major brands ranging from Hershey, Mars, Mondelez, Perfetti Van Melle, Pladis and Barry Callebaut, Ritter Sport, Russell Stover, Ferrara and Ferrero.

Moreover, as Confectionery Production discovered from walking the halls of the show, there appeared a spirit of determination despite background tests including elevated ingredients cost that will impact on SME’s and major confectionery brands alike, with a persistently high cost of sugar and cocoa supplies proving an ongoing challenge for the industry. (Watch our exclusive video review of the event, including contributions from Ferrero, Mondelez, Hershey, Ferrara, Perfetti Van Melle, Tru Fru, Haribo and the National Confectioners Association below).

Visitors this year’s show have also had the chance to take in a broad range of confectionery insights sessions, that have included wide ranging topics that have spanned the impact of AI on the sector, snacking trends, and a recap of the State of Treating Report from the NCA, which was first unveiled in March at the State of the Industry Conference.

In addition, the second half day session of the Supplier Showcase concluded, which attracted an enhanced total of more than 200 businesses across equipment, systems and ingredients for the confectionery and snacks trade.

Speaking to a number of confectioners on the day, the overriding feeling from the industry was one of placing a high bar of value in attending and exhibiting for the show, despite wider market uncertainties.

Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America felt that visitors had responded encouragingly to its prominent booth at this year’s event, which continues until tomorrow (Thursday 15).

She said: “As always, it’s a fantastic time for us to showcase everything that’s great about our business, especially our innovations. This year we are continuing to see a lot of trends towards sour flavours in the non-chocolate space, and we’re happy to report our new Airheads Xtremes is a very Berry flavour, which we think is going to be a real winner within the market place. 

“Our largest global brand is Mentos, and we have our Discovery roll with 14 different flavours at the show, which are all exciting and unique flavours that are not available in regular packs, including blackcurrent, lime and grapefruit which is a personal favourite of mine,” explained Sylvia, who was recently inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame for her services to the confectionery sector.

Meanwhile, Lauren Rosenberg, of Welch’s was similarly upbeat in her assessment of the show. She commented: “The show has been absolutely incredible this year, We’re excited about meeting retailers, customers and consumers in showing them what’s new with our brands.

“Indianapolis is awesome as it is centrally located, making it accessible for everyone to get to, and it’s a new destination for the show, having been in Chicago for many years, which brings a new flavour to it, and brings together an amazing group of companies and industry partners.   

“We are really excited about all the innovation that we have across the portfolio, including better-for-you snacking, such as our Welch’s fusions, which draws together unexpected flavours. It has one flavour on its outside, and another on the inside, which is designed to bring adventure, fun and deliciousness to the snacking experience.”

Kelsy Olson, sales director for US premium chocolate brand Russell Stover, enthused that there had been a notably encouraging response to the show in its opening day, with the company showcasing a broad portfolio for the event, including a freshly released S’mores product series, as well as its as sugar free offerings of its core ranges.

She said: “I think that a lot of brands have come out really strong here and have a good presence, and some really good innovations here, as well as driving their core products, which is good. We’ve been excited to be here with our Whitman’s S’mores which has just come into the market.

“It’s extremely important for brands to be here, as you can not only see what is happening all around, you can hear people’s thoughts directly about what they are saying and what they do and don’t like. I think it’s a really good opportunity to meet with other manufactures and retailers,” adding that the company had received a positive reaction on stand so far this year, including for its sugar-reduced options.

See Confectionery Production’s continuing coverage of the event this week and in our next edition of the magazine and online.