From 2017 onwards, ProSweets Cologne — the international supplier fair for the sweets and snacks industry — will be staged annually and always parallel to ISM, the world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks. The decision represents an evolution of ProSweets since its inception in 2006. Since 2009, it has been carried out parallel to ISM on all days of the event. This year, it becomes an annual affair.
The advantages of doing so are obvious, organizers say: Both trade fairs complement each other perfectly in terms of their content and target groups. ISM regularly brings around 1,600 suppliers from the sweets and snacks industry together in Cologne, including top companies, medium-sized and smaller firms. This dovetails perfectly with almost 40,000 high-profile ISM trade visitors from all over the world.
The move was welcomed by leading representatives of the sweets and snacks industry.
“The owners and ceos of the sweets manufacturers favor ProSweets Cologne, because it specifically targets our needs for supplier products for the production of sweets and snacks,” says Bastian Fassin, managing partner, Katjes.
As Oliver Schindler, managing partner Ragolds points out, “The trade fair duo ISM and ProSweets Cologne offers us the chance to gain a market overview of the sweets market, as well as an insight into the latest solutions of the supplier industry.”
And as CEO Claus Cersovsky of Rübezahl adds, “Within a relatively ‘small field,’ I can inform myself fast and very efficiently about all technical innovations in the sweets industry.”
Ulrich Zuenelli, Loacker’s ceo, echoes Cersovsky’s comments. “The trade fair duo is attractive for us in many ways due to the simultaneous presence of all sweets suppliers, the majority of our customers and the relevant supplier industry,” he says.
Innoforum
As expected this year, there will be an especially diversified supporting program during ProSweets. For example, ZDS, the Central College for the German Sweets Industry, is organizing “Innoforum Sweets & Snacks” trade congress, which will address “Additive production and 3D food printing for the sweets and snacks industry.”
Top-class experts from Germany, Finland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States will provide insights into the latest developments. Live demonstrations of 3D food printing as well as the additive production of prototypes round off the subjects covered. (30 and 31 January 2017, Congress Centre East, Congress Room 4) For more information and to register see www.innforum.eu
Speaker’s Corner
Exciting market research results, innovative product developments, intelligent packing solutions and the latest development technologies for chocolate await the visitors to the “Speakers’ Corner” at ProSweets.
In cooperation with partners such as the DLG (German Agricultural Society) and the online medium ConfectioneryNews, experts will address production, processing and packing issues involving sweets and snacks daily.
On Sunday, for example, Simone Schiller, managing director of the Food Industry Competence Centre of the DLG, will be heading a lecture and discussion session on the theme of product development and market research. (Hall 10.1, Stand F 8)
Reformulation special event
Conscious eating continues to gain traction among consumers. Alternatives to refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup are in play. However, in order to retain the taste, texture and sensory quality, the recipe has to be adapted. Guided tours by DLG guide the participants through the special event and to selected exhibitors. (Hall 10.1, Stand C 40/D 49)
Newcomer Area
Trade fair and industry newcomers present their products and solutions, which range from innovative technology to foreign body detection in the “Newcomer Area.” Seven companies from six countries will be participating in the special first-timer zone this year. (Hall 10.1, Stand F 34)
FutureLab
In the FutureLab, twelve international design students will once again work on packing concepts for sweets and snacks. Exhibitors of ProSweets Cologne and ISM can submit theme proposals. The young designers collect ideas, present and discuss them and demonstrate the best approaches as fast models. The material for the purpose will be collected at the trade fair. An appropriate name and the product graphics will be developed in order to visualize the concept. The results will be presented on the stage of the Speakers’ Corner at the end of each day of the fair. (Hall 10.1, Stand H 8)
More information can be found at: www.prosweets-cologne.de
