As our 2026 edition of the World Confectionery Conference in London draws ever-closer in London, editor Neill Barston explores its dynamic line-up spanning the full value chain of our global markets

With the line-up for our latest Confectionery Conference now fully secured, we have put together what we believe is a really strong programme, packed full of insights and industry innovation.

As we previously noted, 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 combined industries. Registration for the event remains open via the following link at confectioneryconference.com

So, for those who have yet to register for our conference, we encourage you to do so urgently this week, to gain the latest updates on what is happening across the full confectionery and snacking value chain.

Adrian, left, attending our 2025 event in Brussels.

Our fifth live iteration of our event, which is our sixth in total, takes place at the
well-established central London venue, One America Square conference centre, on 10 September.

Attendees will be able to take in key presentations across 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 paying a further focus on business resilience, as companies continue to grapple with shared trading complexities that will be discussed throughout our event.

Significantly, 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 major regional body will be represented by its president,
Tobias Bachmüller (below, centre), who also serves as managing shareholder of the Katjes confectionery group.

Caobisco’s president, Tobias Bachmuller, opens its latest annual meeting in Brussels. Pics: Neill Barston

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

Significantly, with industry insights continuing to play an integral part of our
event, Euromonitor International returns as our knowledge partner. There
will be plenty of fresh sector research being served for our latest edition of
the event.

Clearly, there have been no shortages of developments right
across the market that will require some key analysis to unpack this
September.

Among our keynotes will be Ferrero’s Fabio R Mora, who is set
to explore the topic of how the leading business has looked to
emerging enterprises to form collaborative efforts across the
industry.

Moreover, visitors can take in intriguing sector analysis from S&P Global Energy, plus Sunbeth Global Concepts, which will explore how commodities and related industries are playing their part in shaping the industry on a broader level.

In terms of new product development, we have the ZRO Group (formerly
Sweetdreams) exploring how the company has placed sustainability at its forefront with its flagship Choc Nibbles brand, which holds potential for a greater array of ‘upcycled’ food products to be devised across the industry.

Then, we will also hear from Plamil Foods, about its growing array of work with
private label businesses, as well as its own-brand vegan offerings that are striving to meet key demands within the industry.

Notably, we will see the return of Fairtrade at our centrepiece conference Q&A
session, as Jason Archie-Acheampong (centre of pic below) discusses challenges in cocoa supply chains, and address how the organisation is making a difference.

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 this year’s WCC event in Brussels. Pic: Dafos/Bell

In addition, it will also see an appearance for Ferrero’s Francesco Tramontin who has been a star contributor to the event since its inception, examining crucial implications for major policies impacting manufacturers across the region with EUDR and corporate due diligence requirements.

The panel will also feature contributions from Planet A Foods, which is putting
alternative ingredients on the map with its ambitious product development that has proved a key market disruptor in the past year or two since forging a deal with major business Barry Callebaut.

Furthermore, the session also features 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. She
will be participating in the Q&A, as well as an additional presentation that underscores the engaging work that her company has been dedicated to in terms of delivering sustainability on the ground.

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

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

There will also be equipment represented in the form of an appearance from Kruger & Salecker, with its recently appointed innovation specialist Dr Maximilian Anders. He will offer a fresh perspective on how it is meeting demands for an ever-more advanced array of machinery for the global
confectionery market.

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 core honours 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.

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

Editor Neill Barston commented on this year’s eagerly anticipated event which is now in its fifth live edition.

He said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to our fifth live event as it moves to London, so we thank everyone for their engagement to do date in what should be a highly engaging and inspiring day’s exploration of our industry’s latest developments, from latest product creation, through to ingredients and equipment innovations that are making their mark on
the sector.

“Don’t miss out on being part of our conversations, as well as our optional
evening networking and meal, through registering for the event via our dedicated website, so we’ll see you shortly.”