ECRM’s upcoming Candy Planning: Everyday & Summer Seasonal session is just the place to find out what treats and trends will be hot over the next year, and Candy Industry can’t wait to see the products debuting during the program!

Slated for Aug. 25-29 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, the session will pair manufacturers with retail buyers in brief, speed-dating-style business meetings. Candy Industry will also host the Buyers Choice Awards, giving participating candy buyers the chance to sample and judge new chocolate, non-chocolate and novelty products. 

Daniel Sadler, principal - client insights for IRI, is set to speak Sunday, Aug. 25 on the state of the U.S. confectionery market. He’ll highlight confectionery category trends from shopper, channel and consumer perspectives. Sadler will also share the latest insights on how to capture new opportunities in seasonal, everyday and new demographic segments.

Below are a few items participating candy companies are debuting or highlighting during the program. See you in New Orleans!

Brown & Haley
Tacoma, Wash. / brown-haley.com / (253) 620-3000

ROCA Bites
These bite-sized bites of buttercrunch toffee are covered in 100% sustainable cacao. Available in Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Almond varieties, they’re free of GMOs, gluten and artificial colors and flavors.
S.R.P.: N/A

CandyRific
Louisville, Ky. / candyrific.com / (502) 893-3626

Mermaid Fan
Stay cool with the new, colorful Mermaid Fan, which provides a burst of fanned air when the button is pushed. Each comes with 0.53 oz. of assorted fruit flavored dextrose candies, made with natural flavors and colors.
S.R.P.: $4.99

Davis Chocolate
Mishawaka, Ind. / davischocolate.com / (574) 255-2366

Hero Cups
These vegan, kosher chocolate cups are a clean-label alternative to classic chocolate cups. They’re available in five varieties: 50% Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter (sweetened with erythritol), 70% Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter (sweetened with coconut palm sugar), Organic Cane Sugar Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Allulose Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Cups.
S.R.P.: N/A

Fini Sweets USA
Elk Grove Village, Ill. / finisweetsusa.com / (866) 314-3464

Flip It

Using a bag-in-bag construction, Fini’s new Flip It line features two products in the same package. One product is highlighted on each side of the bag. Available in four varieties, the line includes Neon Bears + Sour Worms; Fruit Attack + Citrus Attack; Cinema Mix + Little Sour Mix; and Red Licorice Wheels + Black Licorice Wheels.
S.R.P.: $2.99

Cinema Mix
Cinema Mix is a theater-ready pack of licorice and gummy candy in an assortment of shapes and flavors. It’s available in 4-oz. and 8-oz. packages.
S.R.P.: 4 oz., $1.29; 8 oz., $1.69

Jolly Jamboree
Jolly Jamboree is a mix of sweet and sour gummies and licorice pieces. It’s available in 4-oz. and 8-oz. packages.
S.R.P.: 4 oz., $1.29; 8 oz., $1.69

Ford Gum & Machine Co.
Akron, N.Y. / fordgum.com / (847) 975-0003

Jelly Belly sugar-free gum
Now the flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans are available in a long-lasting sugar-free gum that the whole family will enjoy. The tablet gum comes in a 12-ct. blister pack and is available in Berry Blue, Very Cherry, Island Punch and Watermelon flavors.
S.R.P.: $1.49

Gerrit J. Verburg Co.
Fenton, Mich. / gerritjverburg.com / (810) 750-9779

Gerrit's Bakery Stroopwafel Tins
Gerrit’s Bakery Stroopwafels Tins offer a Dutch delicacy in a new format ideal for a variety of gifting occasions. Introduced earlier this year in three formats – duo packs, standup bags and gift boxes – Gerrit’s Bakery Stroopwafels feature a decadent caramel syrup filling sandwiched between two thin cookies baked with a three- dimensional waffle pattern. These “syrup waffle” treats are the perfect complement to a cup of cocoa, coffee or hot tea. The 14.1-oz. gift tins ship eight per case.
S.R.P.: N/A

Fort Knox Cool Llamas Milk Chocolate Coins 
These coins will be a hit among those looking to add “llama drama” to their lives. Each 1.47-oz. mesh bag includes eight chocolate coins, wrapped in colorful foil with one of 12 reusable stickers featuring a friendly llama. The chocolate is gluten-free and made with Kosher-certified, non-GMO ingredients.
S.R.P.: N/A

Imaginings 3 - Flix Candy
Niles, Ill. / flixcandy.com / (847) 647-1370

Trolls Pop Ups!
These Pop Ups! feature Barb, Guy and Poppy from the movie “Trolls World Tour,” set to hit theaters in April 2020. The blister packs come with three Chupa Chup lollipops.
S.R.P.: $2.99-$3.99

Minions Pop Ups!
These Pop Ups feature Bob and Otto, two characters from the newest installment of the Minions franchise, “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which is set to hit theaters in July 2020. The blister packs come with three Chupa Chup lollipops.
S.R.P.: $2.99-$3.99

Just Born, Inc.
Bethlehem, Pa. / justborn.com / (610) 867-7568

Mike and Ike Retro Patriotic Mix
This assortment delivers chewy goodness in a mix of red, white and blue pieces with Cherry Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream and Blueberry Cobbler flavors.
S.R.P.: $1-$1.50

Mike and Ike Retro Mixes
Just Born is bringing back two retro varieties: Cotton Candy and Root Beer Float. First launched in 2002, Cotton Candy has become one of the most consumer requested limited-edition flavors. Root Beer Float, first launched in 2004, is another popular summertime flavor.
S.R.P.: N/A

Kopper’s Chocolate
Jersey City, N.J. / kopperschocolate.com / (212) 243-0220

On The Rocks Chocolate
Handcrafted with FairTrade cocoa, each 64% dark chocolate cordial is crafted after a favorite adult beverage but contains no alcohol. Available in four flavors, the first bite reveals a liquid center sure to please.

• Moscow Mule Cordials: Rolled in a spicy mix of sugar, ginger and mint and featuring a vodka-flavored center.
• Cold Brew Cordials: Rolled with crushed espresso beans and featuring a cold-brew coffee-flavored center.
• Barrel-Aged Bourbon Cordials: Dusted with rich cocoa and featuring a barrel-aged bourbon flavored center.
• Strawberry Margarita Cordials: Lime-infused dark chocolate cordials dusted with strawberry lime and featuring a tequila flavored center

S.R.P. (4 oz.): $4.79

Dark Chocolate Cordials
Kopper Chocolate’s newest cordials are bite-sized pieces inspired by bubbly beverages. Available in Sparkling Prosecco and Sparkling Rosé, they have liquid centers but contain no alcohol.
S.R.P. (4 oz.): $4.29

Original Gourmet Food Co.
Salem, N.H. / ofgc.net / (603) 894-5400

Bling Watch and Bling Ring
These light-up pieces are the sweetest candy jewelry that flashes - not clashes - with your outfit. The cherry-flavored hard candy Bling Watch is available with wristbands in three colors: red, blue, and pink. The Bling Ring is also cherry-flavored.
S.R.P.: $1.49

Crazy Pop Straws
These crazy straws aren’t just a bright, fun drinking straw, but a swirl lollipop, too. They’re available in five flavors Cotton Candy, Tropical, Cherry, Orange, and Blueberry.
S.R.P.: $1

PEZ Candy
Orange, Conn. / pez.com / (203) 795-0531

LOL Surprise Mystery PEZ
For the first time PEZ is adding an all-new mystery assortment, featuring nine different characters. Fans can collect Popular, Fancy and Rare characters. The dispensers come with a variety of PEZ candy.
S.R.P.: $1.49-$1.99

Peppa Pig PEZ
The sweet and sassy Peppa Pig, and her brother, George, are back in this PEZ assortment, with dispensers featuring the original characters, as well as Peppa Pig in a crown and George in a pirate hat.
S.R.P.: $1.49-$1.99

Trawigo, LLC
Provo, Utah / trawigo.com / (385) 268-8057

Unicorn Magical Choco Pearls
These colorful truffles are sure to please any unicorn fan. The first edition features Raspberry Cheesecake, Sea Salt Caramel and Apple Pie Almond truffles, while the second edition features Cherry Mousse Au Chocolat, Sea Salt Peanut Butter and Coconut Pineapple.
S.R.P. (7 oz.): $5.99

Wiebold Mermaid Choco Pearls
Packaged in a box featuring a mermaid and an under-the-sea theme, these truffles are available in Sea Salt Caramel and Vanilla.
S.R.P.: $5.99

Wiebold Happy Summer Chocolate Butterflies
These moulded butterfly-shaped truffles are available in three flavors: Raspberry Cream, Blueberry Buttermilk and Lemon Mousse.
S.R.P.: $4.99

Wiebold Milkshake Cup Truffles
Inspired by the malt shops of yesteryear, these truffles have a cup-shaped bottom half and a rounded top half. Packaged in boxes with retro graphics, they’re available in two assortments: Sweet Strawberry & Creamy Vanilla and Fruity Blueberry & Delicious Chocolate.
S.R.P.: $3.99

Wiebold Finest Cupchocs Chocolate
These truffles have a cup-shaped bottom half and a rounded top half. Packaged in a box with retro graphics, they’re available in two flavors: Cherry Cola and Lemon Cola.
S.R.P. (3.53 oz.): $3.99

YumEarth
Stamford, Conn. / yumearth.com / (224) 880-1109

Giggles
Available in Original and Sour varieties, these organic chewy bites contain no high fructose corn syrup, GMOs or artificial colors or flavors. They’re available in 2-oz. grab-n-go packs, 5-oz. resealable bags, and 5-ct. and 10-ct. snack packs.
S.R.P.: N/A

Roll’n Stones
These crunchy, candy-coated chocolate pieces look like pebbles. They’re organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan.
S.R.P.: N/A