National Confectioners Association seeks to grow membership with key appointment
John Downs, CEO and president of the NCA, pictured at the State of the Industry Conference, has welcomed a new team member devoted to expanding its membership. Pic: Neill Barston
The National Confectioners Association has moved to appoint Carrie Abbott as its Vice President of Membership & Business Development, as the organisation continues to grow in the region, writes Neill Barston.
As the group explained, the new post-holder will lead its efforts to continue expanding on its company engagement, through strengthen industry partnerships, and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry.
For her part, Abbott brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a nationally recognized brand rooted in innovation and entrepreneurship. She has also served two terms on NCA’s Board of Trustees.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the NCA prepares to host its annual Sweets & Snacks Expo, which is due to take place between 19-21 May at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Nevada, US. (You can watch our exclusive preview of the event below, with Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs for the NCA).
John Downs, NCA President and CEO, welcomed its latest appointee to the organisation.
He commented: “Carrie’s entrepreneurial spirit, deep understanding of the confectionery landscape, and prior service to NCA make her uniquely qualified to support our members at this critical moment,”
“Her perspective as a candy maker and business leader will be invaluable to strengthen member engagement, expand opportunities across the industry, and ensure confectionery companies have the connections, insights, and resources they need to grow and thrive.”
Abbott founded Newfangled Confections in 2012 and created its award-winning product, Frittle Candy, growing the company from a local startup into a nationally recognized brand.
As a proud Indiana native, Carrie graduated from Ball State University and received additional training in pastry and baking arts at Ivy Tech Community College.
Her professional experience spans product innovation, brand development, and business growth, along with a strong commitment to supporting employees, small businesses, and the broader candy community. She is a board member of Visit Indy and Downtown Indy Inc., championing underrepresented founders in the food and hospitality ecosystems.
