The organisers of ISM Cologne have confirmed that Guido Hentschke is to take on additional responsibilities as director for the overall event, reports Neill Barston.

He has taken on the role from Sabine Schommer, who will be making an internal move within other events linked to Koelnmesse, after twelve successful years leading the key confectionery show in its continued development.

As previously reported, after 20 years, ProSweets has been re-imagined as ISM Manufacturing, with the show’s management believing the time was right for a revamp of the event.

It has continued to attract a dynamic professional audience from around the world, with Confectionery Production continuing to engage with the show in providing live coverage from the event. Our title is anticipating being there for the event, between 31 January-3 February 2027 at the Koelnmess trade fair showground. (Watch our exclusive video review of this year’s event below).

For his part Guido Hentschcke, he has already been tasked with managing ISM Ingredients and ISM Manufacturing, and from this month, will be responsible for all three elements of the show.

In terms of her contribution to the the event, Sabine Schommer, who last year participated on the panel of our World Confectionery Conference in Brussels, has successfully driven the quantitative and qualitative growth of ISM over the past twelve years and has strengthened its position as an international meeting point of the sweets and snacks industry.

She has driven key industry topics forward, played a decisive role in the brand’s relaunch and established “Lab5 by ISM”, a section dedicated to trends, innovations and networking. She additionally reinforced the collaboration with the trade associations and partners of the trade fair. In her new role at Koelnmesse, she will be responsible for FSB, aquanale and didacta.

ISM’s new product showcase was a major draw at this year’s event in Cologne. Pics: Neill Barston

“Sabine Schommer has shaped ISM with great commitment and a profound understanding of the industry for many years. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this. At the same time, we are delighted that she will contribute her extensive experience to other key event portfolios at Koelnmesse,” stated Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse.

“Together with the team, exhibitors, associations and partners, we have continuously further developed ISM, addressed new themes and created formats that have provided the industry with added value. I am very grateful for the trusted collaboration. In handing over the management of ISM Snacks & Sweets to Guido Hentschke, I am passing the reins to a successor who is already well-acquainted with the sector and its key players,” commented Sabine Schommer, who relayed to Confectionery Production that she believed the combined events would be in great hands under new management.

As Koelnmesse noted, Guido Hentschke draws on extensive expertise in the sweets & snacks sector and has built up a strong industry network over the past few years. Since 2021, he has been managing ProSweets Cologne, playing a major role in its strategic evolution, which included restructuring the Ingredients segment to form ISM Ingredients and the successful relaunch of ProSweets Cologne as ISM Manufacturing.

“ISM Snacks & Sweets is an internationally established business and innovation platform for the sweets and snacks industry. Sabine Schommer and the entire team have developed a strong foundation over the years to achieve this. I look forward to continuing this successful work. Our goal is to further enhance the individual profiles of ISM Ingredients, ISM Manufacturing and ISM Snacks & Sweets and, at the same time, maximise the benefits of the brand family for the exhibitors, visitors and partners alike,” stated Guido Hentschke, of the event that has set the international pulse for confectionery developments at the start of each calendar year.