Early registrations for ISM offer encouraging signs for 2027
ISM's new product showcase was a major draw at this year's event in Cologne. Pics: Neill Barston
Organisers of ISM have expressed confidence for its 2027 event, with early registrations up five percent on this year’s show, with the rebranded ProSweets element now repackaged as ISM Manufacturing, writes Neill Barston.
With this year’s show occurring in an interpack year, exhibitor numbers were anticipated to be less than previously attained, though the introduction of a dedicated ingredients segment made a notable impact.
As the ISM team noted, an encouraging return rate of exhibitors for next year’s showcase, taking place between 31 January and 3 February, underlined the event’s growth into a holistic platform across the entire value chain is significantly contributing towards this increase in demand.
Sabine Schommer, Director of ISM, commented: “We are delighted by the ongoing high demand from exhibitors and that the number of registrations has increased again in comparison to the early bird phase of 2025. This fantastic response underlines the role of ISM as an indispensable meeting point for the international sweets and snacks industry.
As ISM noted, it has already had a number of significant confirmations for the next event, including AVK (Ukraine), Baronie (Belgium), Bifa (Turkey), Canel’s (Mexico), Colombina (Colombia), Docile (Brazil), Elvan (Turkey), Gubor (Germany), ICAM (Italy), Kambly (Switzerland), Katjes (Germany), Kervan (Turkey), Krüger (Germany), Lambertz (Germany), Loacker (Italy), Manner (Austria), Millennium (Ukraine), Natra (Spain), Ragolds (Germany), Roshen (Ukraine), Sölen (Turkey), Toms (Denmark), Trolli (Germany), Valeo (Great Britain), Valor (Spain), Vidal (Spain), Wawel (Poland) and WAWI (Germany).
In addition, the organising team also welcomed back Arcor, which is exhibiting for the first time since 2020, with the business holding Spanish headquaters linked to a wider Argentine group.
There has also been strong international demand, with 24 countries and regions having registered for the event during its early bird phase, which is about to draw to a close.
There will be an expanded ISM Functional Sweets section, and its popular Lab 5 will return to its original location in Hall 5.2 in 2027, offering a strong window into key industry innovations.
