World Confectionery Conference gathering pace for 2026

Our fifth live edition of the World Confectionery Conference is set to make a debut appearance in London this September. Editor Neill Barston casts an eye over its progress, with early bird rates now available.

Momentum is continuing to build for our 2026 edition of the World Confectionery Conference, as it makes a return in a fresh venue in the heart of the bustling capital city of London.

It comes amid a period of major change within the sector, as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, as well as a host of tests across legislation, product development and regulatory challenges, which are all shaping the direction of our sector.

This month is a prime opportunity to sign up and register for our event, with our early bird rates available during April, so don’t miss out on these key rates for our must-attend global gathering.

Our fifth live iteration of our conference, which is our sixth in total, takes place at The View, located within the distinguished buildings of the Royal College of Surgeons on 10 September (register at confectioneryconference.com)

As previously noted, we shall be seeking to offer comprehensive coverage of our complete value chain across finished products, equipment, systems, and ingredients, as well as related supply chains including the cocoa sector, which will be placed firmly under the microscope.

In addition, we’ll also be placing a further focus on business resilience, as companies continue to grapple with shared trading complexities that will be discussed throughout our event.

Significantly, several of our keynotes are now confirmed for the event, including a welcome return for Caobisco European confectionery trade association, which has been a founding supporter of our conference. The key regional body will be represented by its president, Tobias Bachmüller, who also serves as managing shareholder of the Katjes group.

He is joined by fellow keynote Renee Boerefijn, senior research and development director at Cargill, who has a decades of industry experience into innovation within product development and what consumers are seeking out in their confectionery purchases.

Renee Boerefijn, senior R&D director for Cargill, has been confirmed as a keynote for our 2026 World Confectionery Conference. Pic: Neill Barston

Significantly, with industry insights having been especially important to our event, Euromonitor International and Mintel were part of our event in 2025, and there will be plenty of fresh sector research being served for our latest edition of the event this autumn. There have been no shortages of developments right across the sector that will require some key analysis to unpack this September. 

Equipment focus
Moreover, among our core areas of focus for the event over its history to date, has been in showcasing the evolution of equipment and systems within our market.

On this topic, Lyn Pitt, managing director of British firm DT&G chocolate coating lines (pictured below), will be making a welcome return as a speaker at the event. She will be joined by Adam Gilbert, a specialist at partner firm Intralox belts, which has gained global recognition for its lines.

Speaking on her contribution to the event, Lyn enthused: “I am looking forward to the opportunity to present at the World Confectionery Conference in London with Adam Gilbert of Intralox.

Lyn Pitt at last year’s State of the Industry Conference in the US. Pic: Neill Barston

“Over the years the conference has grown in importance and value, with international companies supporting and sharing values. I believe confectionery is a great global industry and in September the passion for all sectors to work together is given the chance to collaborate at this and valued trusted event.
“It is very nice that the world of confectionery is coming to the UK capital, we have so many great brands.

“Our presentation will show how DT&G Ltd Finn is developing not only it’s equipment, and working with Intralox ThermoDrive to offer the most efficient hygienic equipment, but also offering global support and developing an educational programme as we see how important it is that suppliers and end users get the very best from investment.”

In addition, we are due to feature Natalie Quintero Zuluaga, marketing director for Colombia’s Cordillera Chocolate, which recently claimed honours at our 2025 edition of the World Confectionery Conference in Brussels.

Our line-up is continuing to evolve, including within our centrepiece Q&A focusing on sustainability within the cocoa and wider industry. This will see a return for Ferrero’s Francesco Tramontin who has been a star contributor to the event since its inception.

The Q&A on sustainability and the future for the confectionery sector, featuring Ferrero, Fairtrade, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, ISM, and Rainforest Alliance, was among highlights of the 2025 WCC event in Brussels. Pic: Dafos/Bell

Head to our dedicated website, confectioneryconference.com where you can gain regular updates surrounding developments for our 2026 conference.

Awards celebrating sector excellence
Another major returning highlight of the conference will be our World Confectionery Awards, which have cemented their place in the sector over the past five years, as much-valued accolades.

As ever, they seek to shine a light on some of the brightest talents gracing our combined sweets, snacks and chocolate markets, and their associated manufacturing businesses.

Our key accolades will be ranged across six established categories, including: sustainability initiative of the year, finished product (across confectionery and snacks), ingredients, equipment, team of the year, emerging enterprise.
From speaking to companies who have gained these accolades over the past five years, they have meant a lot to them on a personal level, as well as offering a great boost to them in terms of raising their profile on an international level.

Each accolade is entirely free to enter (though only one vote for the same business will be counted with any nominations), and it has proved a fittingly upbeat close to proceedings for our conference each year in celebrating its considerable successes.

Proceedings won’t end quite there though, and as entirely optional extra, attendees are welcomed to join the team for some purely optional additional networking with post event drink and meal to conclude what promises to be a highly eventful day in the capital.

Editor Neill Barston added: “Plans for our World Confectionery Conference have been taking positive steps forward over the past few months, so thanks to all those who have engaged with preparations for our show this year as it moves to London for the first time.

“As we have seen, there remain a wide range of challenges within our combined sectors, but our event has continued to deliver a prime forum for further discussion, learning and evaluating potential solutions to the future of our vibrant international industries.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from people regarding our awards, so don’t delay in making your nominations to the event, which can be done via our dedicated event website (below).”

• Find out more about our World Confectionery conference, and to register and submit award entries for our event on 10 September in London, see confectioneryconference.com