NCA ALL CANDY EXPO WILL BE HELD IN CHICAGO

WILLIAM SMYTH

McLEAN, Virginia -- The National Confectioners Association here has announced plans to hold its third annual All Candy Expo.

The show will again be held at the Navy Pier in Chicago, June 22-24, 1999. More than 95% of the $22.7 billion U.S. confectionery industry will be represented at the show.

"With so many national and international manufacturers under one roof, the All Candy Expo is truly the buyer-friendly show," said NCA President Larry Graham.

"We want to hit all the channels this year. Our focus is to incorporate more supermarkets," he continued. "Last year we had 25 of the top 100 supermarkets in the country attend.

"Many of our brokers are contacting stores that weren't there last year," Graham said. "We feel that there is a growth potential with supermarkets."

Some of the supermarkets that attended last year included Kroger, American Stores, Safeway, A&P, Albertsons, Publix, Fred Meyer, Giant Eagle and Food Lion, Graham noted.

The show will offer a series of plant tours, educational seminars and discussions for buyers, as well as a chance to schedule private business meetings and network with colleagues. Educational sessions are designed to give buyers and retailers a chance to learn the merchandising and marketing end of the industry, Graham said. Plant tours will show how candy is made.

The Expo will be divided into two separate shows -- the Candy Expo and the Candy Suppliers Expo. At the Candy Expo, confectionery manufacturers display their products for retail and wholesale buyers and candy brokers. Every major candy company attends the show, according to Graham.

The Suppliers Expo is where producers of machinery, ingredients and other goods will display their wares. Boxes, advertising, packaging, and films will also be showcased in the suppliers' area.

According to Graham, 800 booths have been sold to over 320 American confectionery companies, as well as 50-60 international companies.

The Expo is expected to draw about 3,600 buyers and a number of supermarket chains. Graham also said that the show this year has grown considerably and space for exhibitors is already sold out.

"More than 13,000 people associated with the confectionery industry attend our popular trade show each year," said Jim Myerson, president of the Ben Myerson Candy Company and chairman of NCA's board of directors.

"The Expo, by far, is the most comprehensive all-candy show in the country."

For more information about attending the All Candy Expo, contact the National Confectioners Association at (703) 790-5750 and ask for NCA's exhibit manager Lorinda Heether.