Snack Exhibitors Add Growing Power to ALL CANDY EXPO

The National Confectioners Association (NCA), sponsor of the ALL CANDY EXPO, reports that the exhibitor base will grow close to 15 percent this year, and feature nearly 500 confectionery, snack and cookie exhibitors at the EXPO, taking place September 17–19, 2007, at Chicago's McCormick Place in the new West Building.

The EXPO, adopting the global theme, "It's all about sweets & snacks," is the largest confectionery, cookie and snack show in the Americas. In addition to candy, chocolate and gum, customers at the 2007 EXPO will also see for the first time cookies and biscuits, crackers, sweet snacks like breakfast bars and fruit snacks, nuts, savory snacks like chips and pretzels, and meat snacks.

"The decision to expand the EXPO was based on extensive research that indicated an astounding 87 percent of confectionery buyers surveyed purchase snack categories as well," commented NCA president, Larry Graham. "Confectionery, snack and cookie products generate $275 billion in retail sales worldwide, and the newly expanded EXPO has differentiated itself by becoming the only event to give buyers more direct access to these manufacturers and products."

Theresa Anthony, director of the ALL CANDY EXPO, points out that much planning and thought has gone into the evolution of the 2007 EXPO. "In addition to partnering with the Snack Food Association to garner added support, the EXPO is moving from the Lakeside Center to the all-new West Building at Chicago's McCormick Place. This move adds another 170,000 square feet for the show to develop and mature into."

The snack and confectionery industry together have massive strength in the marketplace. Americans consume, on average, at least four snacks a day which account for more than 6.5 billion pounds of snack food annually. Salty snacks account for just over half of total snack sales, and many confectionery buyers are also purchasing this expansive category.

Confectionery products are the third largest food category sold in the U.S., just behind carbonated beverages and milk. Their sales represent $7.8 billion in major U.S. retail channels including food, drug, mass and convenience store. Number four in the food product category is salty snacks with $7.2 billion, and cookies rank seventh with $3.9 billion in annual retail sales.

Power in the marketplace translates to an expected hearty increase of both attendees and exhibitors at the 2007 ALL CANDY EXPO. Approximately 60 percent of past show attendees surveyed indicated that they will bring additional personnel because of the product expansion, and 63 percent of confectionery customers who do not currently attend say they will begin attending.

"Even though the majority of confectionery buyers communicated that they wanted the EXPO to add snacks, biscuits and cookies, we're still the ALL CANDY EXPO, and attendees will continue to see the best and widest variety from our candy, chocolate and gum exhibitors," concluded Graham.

For more information on exhibiting or attending NCA's ALL CANDY EXPO, visit www.AllCandyExpo.com, or call 703-790-5750.