In 2024, ISM, the leading global trade fair for confectionery and snacks, is more international and diversified than ever. The event showcases a wide range of products and innovations, featuring 1,350 exhibitors representing 70 countries and 35 pavilions spanning Europe, Asia, North and South America. Participants include established global leaders, national industry giants, and emerging companies from countries such as Albania, Algeria, Canada, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
ISM's six halls immerse visitors in the world of sweets and snacks, with Hall 4.2 expanding to accommodate new country pavilions from the USA, Latin America, and the Middle East. This enhances pavilions from Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Hall 5.2 continues the success of Lab5 by ISM, offering a unique trade fair experience with festival flair.
Key highlights of the event include the annual ISM Award, honouring an individual's exceptional contributions to the sweets and snacks industry. The New Product Showcase (NPS) showcases diverse innovations, with the three most innovative products recognised during the ISM Night on Sunday. In collaboration with FoodNews Germany, the Consumer Award returns, and a new Consumer Award is in partnership with ISM Middle East, where consumers from the United Arab Emirates select their favourite product from the NPS.
The Expert Stage program features trend lectures and market analyses by Innova Market Insights and Euromonitor, start-up pitches, and main topics like Digital Education in collaboration with dmexco. Best practices from the sweets industry cover energy efficiency, sustainability, climate-friendly production, regenerative value chains, and the recycling economy.
The innovative speed dating format brings together exhibitors and influencers in the sweets and snacks section, fostering networking and marketing of new products while increasing brand recognition.
A new addition to the agenda is the ISM Party on Sunday evening, catering to young professionals and providing an informal meeting point to conclude the fair's first day in a relaxed atmosphere.
From the speed dating format to the ISM Party for Young Professionals, ISM 2024 offers various event formats and networking opportunities for industry professionals and interested parties worldwide.
