One of the first lessons about the confectionery industry I learned upon taking over the editorial reins of Candy Industry 10 years ago involved the inherent mission of anyone producing candy, be it a sugar, chocolate or gum confection. In brief, it’s about bringing joy to the consumer.

There’s nothing like being on a holiday break to get away from the headlines, deadlines and lines in general. More often than not, that’s when companies prone to making headlines like to release their announcements.

It’s not a great day to be in the treat-making business. Everyone is all bent out of shape about being out of shape, and confectioners - with their sugars and their fats and their indulgent nature - seem to make such a sweet target.

It was one of those days at the office, you know, a grind. Anyway, when I typically arrive home from work, after battling ninnies who drive while speaking on their cell phones ― or worse yet ― texting as opposed to concentrating on the road, I’m looking for some down time.

It’s not often one wakes up to the sound of church bells in the morning. Through the better part of last week and early this week, the bells of Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral in Bolzano, Italy provided my wake-up call just outside the Hotel Greif located on the city’s main square, Piazza Walther Platz.

So, all the cool people were at the National Confectioners Association Sweets & Snacks Expo last week in Chicago. The event featured more than 2,000 new candy and snack products, more than 14,000 manufacturers, buyers and industry leaders from nearly 70 countries, and myself.

Nothing like an interpack 2011 show to get the techie juices flowing, eh? Nothing can compare with this collection of confectionery and packaging equipment suppliers displaying the latest developments in automation and technology. At first glance, when you consider 19 halls occupying nearly 2 million sq. ft., the sheer size of the show can be overwhelming.

Sweets and Snacks Expo 2011 promises to be full of treats.

A Canadian woman has gone above and beyond to prove just how important it is to pack snacks for your summer road trips.

Rita Chretien survived on tiny amounts of trail mix, hard candy, beef jerky, melted snow and prayer for seven weeks after she was stranded in the remote mountains of Nevada, reports CTV News in Canada.