A super sweet event is upcoming - together with the co-located supplier fair ProSweets Cologne, ISM is bringing the 'Sweet Week' to Cologne. The world's leading trade fair for sweets and snacks opens from 28 to 31 January 2024. It will present a combination of new impulses, innovative product presentations, the most extensive offer of sweets and snacks worldwide, and the largest selection of private labels from this section on exhibition space spanning around 100,000 square metres. After the deviating April date last year in 2023, more than 1,400 exhibitors from 74 countries from the international sweets and snacks industry are taking part in January again this year, which means ISM is confirming its position as the leading global trade fair. The exhibitors include companies from all over the world, from Albania to the USA, Germany and the neighbouring countries, and far away regions such as Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Nepal or South Africa. The share of foreign exhibitors is 88 percent. In total, there are 32 country pavilions from 24 countries and regions.
ISM will be co-located with ProSweets Cologne again this year, bringing strong synergy to the entire value chain. The 'Sweet Week' promises the latest industry innovations and an extensive specialised programme with discussions and new event formats. Under the key theme of ISM, 'Encourage. Enable. Excite!' focuses on the challenges caused by raw materials and energy price increases, sustainability, and climate protection.
For the first time, the trade fair duo offers visitors the opportunity to exchange information about the latest trends in eCommerce, online marketing, and the digitalisation of supply chains. Together with DMEXCO, Europe's leading digital marketing and tech event, new digital marketing themes will be presented especially for marketing directors in the scope of an exciting series of lectures, which, as well as social media and artificial intelligence, will also focus on successful examples of practical application.
"As the central platform for the sweets and snacks industry, ISM 2024 is heralding a time full of trade-oriented and interactive events, innovations, and inspiring encounters with the 'Sweet Week'. Amid numerous international exhibitors and an expert audience, the trade fair not only offers a platform for the direct exchange but also a foretaste of the industry's future," said Bastian Mingers, Vice President of Food, Koelnmesse GmbH.
With an impressive 88 percent share of foreign exhibitors, ISM is underlining its leading position in the international sweets and snacks industry. Belgium, Italy, Turkey, China, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Poland and Greece are the key players among the foreign participants.
ISM is well-known for attracting international industry leaders and medium-sized and smaller companies. This diversity is reflected by the different offers, which represent the current and future trends of the industry. The traditional product groups like sweets and snack items are enhanced by innovative segments that revolve around themes like snacking, to-go offers, breakfast and gourmet products.
ISM is also recording positive results on the visitor side: All critical national and international trading companies and their top buyers have registered to visit the trade fair. From Bartels-Langness, Carrefour, Colruyt Group, Coop, Edeka, EI Corte Inglés, Esselunga, Globus, ITM/Intermarché, John Lewis, Jumbo Supermarkten, Metro, Migros Switzerland, Rewe Group, S Group, Salling Group, Schwarz Group to SPAR International – a broad spectrum of decision-makers promise new business opportunities.
The Lab5 by ISM in Hall 5.2 established itself last year. It will again be one of the many highlights of the trade fair and is considered the central meeting point for business exchanges, entertainment and innovation. Beyond this, the new GISMO Square on Central Boulevard also offers, alongside the Social Media Spot and the new products of ISM Middle East, further interactive activities to establish new formats and networking, particularly for young professionals. These also include the new Get-together Series in Lab5 on the Sunday and Tuesday of ISM.
The 'Finest Creations – hand-crafted' specialised trade section that concentrates on the small volume business with hand-crafted sweets and snacks also awaits the trade visitors in Hall 5.2. Here, 40 craft businesses will present their products that specifically address confectioners, cake shops and specialised sweets shops.
In the Trend Snack Area, 50 companies from 20 countries will offer an extensive overview of the entire product world of snacking - from meat and fish snacks to vegan trend products through to dried fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable crisps, and bars and energy snacks.
The Start-up Area in Hall 5.2 is the point of contact for newly-founded companies and their innovations. In total, 25 international companies are sharing a joint area here.
Further highlights of ISM 2024 include the presentation of the ISM Award for exceptional services within the sweets and snacks industry, as well as the award ceremony of the winners of the New Product Showcase. The exhibitors' new products can be discovered in the scope of the New Product Showcase and via the novelty tool on the ISM website. The ISM Consumer Award will be conferred for the second time on the Tuesday of the fair in cooperation with Foodnewsgermany. The most popular item among all the products submitted to the New Product Showcase will be determined in a consumer vote in collaboration with Foodnewsgermany on Instagram.
ISM is organised by Koelnmesse and the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Task Force - AISM as its industry sponsor. All of the participants and visitors of ISM 2024 can look forward to a diversified and successful trade fair experience.
