D – Sweets not only play a very special role in Cologne at Carnival: The cathedral city transformed into the Mecca for sweets professionals from January 28-31, 2024. According to official accounts, 1,427 exhibitors (2023: 1,274) from 74 countries registered to participate at the ISM and presented their products and innovations to the trade visitors. There was plenty in store for the according to the organisers around 30,000 visitors (2023: around 25,000): The whole world of sweets was presented to them across the six exhibition halls. In addition to the familiar country pavilions from Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, there were pavilions from the USA, Latin America and the Middle East for the first time. This emphasised the international flair of the leading worldwide trade show for sweets and snacks even further.
The trend themes of the trade fair particularly included sustainable packaging, fair production and healthy snacks. What’s more, the number of sweets that are vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free or halal (i.e. also suitable for religious Muslims) increases constantly. In addition to the numerous exhibitors and their food stations, once again this year the ISM offered a series of trend lectures on the Expert Stage in cooperation with the dmexco, a trade show for digital marketing and advertising. They focused on examples of best practice, climate-friendly production or regenerative value chains. Of course, the ISM Award was conferred again too in 2024. This year Ekachai Savetsomphob, Managing Director of Sino Pacific Trading, a major Thai import company for food and snack products, was delighted at winning the distinction. The sustainable cocoa alternative, ChoViva by Planet A Foods, was presented as Top Innovation in the scope of the New Product Showcase Award. This and further innovations were additionally presented during a special event.
The next ISM is scheduled to take place from February 2-5, 2025.
// Sophia Arnold
Photos: Sophia Arnold, © WA Media
