Koelnmesse will celebrate the 50th edition of ISM, the world’s largest fair for sweets and snacks, in 2020 with a special anniversary event and an evening honoring exhibitors that haven’t missed a show in its five-decade history.

The "ISM 1971 - 50 Sweets Years" event will offer insight into the history of ISM, and at the ISM Night at the Flora, set for Feb. 2,  tribute will be paid to companies who have exhibited every year. Fair organizers noted the milestone has been a draw for exhibitors. 

"We are looking forward to welcoming many international brands in Cologne in 2020 again,” said Anne Schumacher, v.p. of food and food technology at Koelnmesse. “The high demand from the exhibitors shows us that even after 50 years, ISM is still the leading global platform for the sweets and snacks industry. We want to celebrate this together in February in an appropriate fashion.”

More than 1,700 companies from 76 countries will show their wares on 120,000 square meters of showfloor. Germany has the largest share of exhibitors at 221, but contingents from Italy, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, China and Greece are also expected. New exhibitors from Algeria, Kenya and Madagascar are also participating.

Among the confirmed exhibitors are Barry Callebaut, Elvan Group, Canel‘s, Cémoi, Cloetta, Fini Golosinas, Genuport, Griesson-de Beukelaer, Guylian, Halloren, ICAM, Ion, Kambly, Katjes Fassin, Krüger, Lambertz, Loacker, Manner, Mederer/Trolli, Millano, Natra, Nestlé Italia, Niederegger, Ricola, Ritter, Roshen, Rübezahl, Sölen Cikolata, The Lorenz Bahlsen Snack-World, Toms Confectionery, United Confectioners, Valor and Vidal Golosinas.

Furthermore, trade visitors should look out for a new exhibitor, Fazer. The Helsinki-based company will present its assortment of chocolate, filled chocolates and other sweets. Arcor, the leading producer of chocolate, biscuits and sweets in Latin America, is also set to return.

New and revamped events and special areas will provide the perfect setting for learning about confectionery and snack trends. For example, in Hall 5.2, the New Snacks area will be divided into two sections: Trend Snacks and Natural Snacks. Items such as jerkies, vegan trend products, fruit and vegetable snacks, smoothies and energy snacks fall under the section Trend Snacks. Products without additives, raw products and coffee and tea will be featured in the Natural Snacks section. A special Bean2Bar chocolate pavilion will be located in the Natural Snacks section. 

The Trend Court@ISM, which comprises of the Start-up Area, Sweet Trends and the Expert Stage, is also located in Hall 5.2. Additionally, ISM will introduce the Social Media Start-up Challenge. Startups can present their business concept in a 60-second video on the communication channels of ISM. Online voting for the best concept will take place on the ISM Facebook page. The startup with the most interactions (likes, shares, comments) wins a founder consultation by the Central College of the German Confectionery Industry (ZDS). 

Furthermore, the foodcareers@ism program will give young professionals, students and graduates from a wide range of fields the opportunity to get to know potential employers and gain insights into the industry and its job profiles. Companies and HR specialists will meet motivated applicants of the future. 

New products from the sweets and snacks industry will be presented in a special exhibition again in the "New Product Showcase.” Furthermore, an independent jury, comprising of experts from the industry and trade as well as scientists, will select the best three product innovations of ISM 2020, as well as the award winners of the ISM Packaging Award powered by ProSweets Cologne. The 2020 award winners will be honored at the ISM Night at the Flora on the Sunday of the trade fair. The ISM Award for exceptional services to the industry will also be conferred to Patrick Poirrier, ceo of Cémoi. that evening. 

In 2020, ProSweets Cologne — the international supplier fair for the sweets and snacks industry — will once again be staged parallel to ISM. Together with ProSweets Cologne, ISM covers the entire value chain of sweets production and sales at the same time.