Sweet (and Salty) Emotions

Sugar, spice and everything in between. Those ingredients—and more—are what goes into the new innovations that confectionary and snack manufacturers are expected to exhibit, in record-numbers, at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo. Sponsored by the National Confectioner’s Association (NCA), the 2016 show will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place May 24-26, and according to show organizers, it will be the biggest show yet. 

“For sure, this will be the biggest year ever,” says Jenn Ellek, senior director of trade marketing and communications for NCA, based in Washington, D.C. “This is the first year where we’re expanding into two halls.” 

For the last eight years, the show has been at capacity housed in McCormick Place’s West Hall, and companies have been put on a wait list to exhibit. To accommodate the growing exhibitor space, the show floor will expand into the Skyline Hall, where more than 200 new exhibiting companies will display their wares. An expanded “Innovation Avenue” can also be found in Skyline Hall.

More than 720 companies in total will showcase nearly four acres of product innovation at the show. Close to 17,000 industry professionals from nearly 90 countries are expected to attend. 

“We want attendees to get more done in three days at our show than they can all year long,” Ellek says. “How do we do that? We bring them companies, people, education and networking.” 

The Sweet Insights Theater and Discovery Theater features will offer attendees 20 educational sessions covering a wide range of topics impacting the industry. New for 2016, the Discovery Theater will host sessions focused on innovation and snacking, while the Sweet Insights Theater will focus on the latest in confectionery and specialty. Among the highlights of this year’s educational sessions will be presentations from experts from the Consumer Electronics Show, Canadean, the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology and Google.  

In its fifth year, NCA’s Most Innovative New Products Awards are another must-attend event at the show, says Ellek. New items are taste-tested by a panel of industry food experts that represent 90 percent of the candy and snack buying power in the U.S. Nine winners will be revealed at the show. 

“The Innovative New Products Awards are a cheat sheet for retailers,” Ellek adds. “It’s a great indicator of what will be the next best seller.” 

Registered attendees can plan their Sweets & Snacks schedule through the show’s app.  “You can set up your schedule and what educational session you want to catch while you’re there,” Ellek says. “There’s a show floor navigator, so you can get yourself around the show floor. It’s very helpful, and it makes a strategic way to get some stuff done.” 

Ellek adds that attendees should set some free time aside to discover new things on the show floor. “We call it the treasure hunt,” she says. “You want to have a plan but also free time to explore.” 

With that in mind, here is a small sampling of companies attendees can discover at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo: 

Jack Link’s Protein Snacks 

Booth 237

Attendees are sure to need a protein fix after hours of walking the show floor. Jack Link’s Protein Snacks can fill that need with samples of its premium meat snacks. The Minong, Wis.-based company will be showcasing its flagship brand Jack Link’s, SQUATCH Snacks, World Kitchens Jerky and its newest brand, Lorissa’s Kitchen. 

“Lorissa’s Kitchen was founded on a passion for great tasting food using ingredients you can find right in your own kitchen,” says Mark Baranczyk, director of trade marketing. Lorissa’s Kitchen is a premium protein snack using only responsibly raised proteins like 100 percent grass fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken and responsibly raised pork. 

“Whether you like salty or sweet, tough or tender, Jack Link’s offers a product for every snack lover,” Baranczyk says. “We hope everyone stops to say hi, get a sample of their favorite Jack Link’s product and a taste of something new.” 

Cornfields 

Booth 259

Cornfields, the manufacturers of G.H. Cretors Popped Corn and Hi I’m Skinny Sticks, offers high-quality, better-for-you snacks made with only real ingredients and nothing artificial, say company officials. The company, based in Waukegan, Ill., will debut several products for both brands. 

G.H. Cretors will launch two organic flavors at the show: Organic Dill Pickle Popped Corn and Organic Chile Jalapeno White Cheddar Popped Corn. “Consumers are buying more organic products, and more than 80 percent of families purchase organic,” says Claire Cretors, president. “Given these trends, we wanted to expand our organic portfolio of popped corn.”

Hi I’m Skinny will unveil four new products: Mesquite BBQ Protein Sticks, Mean & Green Sticks, Roasted Tomato Basil Superfood Sticks and Spicy Jalapeno Lime Sprouted Brown Rice Sticks. “Consumers are seeking snacks with added nutrition, including protein and vitamins,” Cretors says. “These types of snacks provide fuel throughout the day and offer ‘good’ calories for their body versus ‘empty’ calories.”

The Promotion In Motion Companies

Booth 637

The Promotion In Motion Companies manufactures and markets a variety of brand name confections, fruit snacks and other fine foods. These include Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks, Sour Jacks Sour Candies, Sun-Maid Milk Chocolate Raisins, My M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies, Toggi Fine European Chocolate Wafers, Go Organically Fruit Snacks, Tuxedos Chocolate Almonds, Nuclear Sqworms Sour Neon Gummi Worms and more.

“We will be showcasing our full portfolio of brands and highlighting our diverse product offerings,” says Lisa Eustic, marketing director for the Allendale, N.J.-based company. “We’re proud of the fact that we offer a multitude of pack sizes, formats and display vehicles to meet the unique needs of our retailers and will be highlighting these offerings. We offer the perfect pack formats for any part of the store or occasion—from front end to peg to seasonal, as well as temporary and permanent display vehicles.”

New product introductions will include: Welch’s Fruit Rolls, Welch’s Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks Cherry flavor and Sour Jacks. The company will also prominently feature its Toggi Fine European Chocolate Wafers.

Original Gourmet Food Co. 

Booth 669

Original Gourmet Food Co., known for its lollipops, is eager to share its new product developments with buyers, says Angela LeBrun, marketing and quality assurance manager for the Salem, N.H.-based company. 

The company will showcase several product lines including: Squrtz, a line of soft and chewy candy, which features a flavored juicy or sour burst of flavor inside; OGO Pops, a line of gluten-, fat-, GMO- and allergen-free pops that come in peppermint, fruit and sour flavors; and Bella Chocolate, a line of milk and dark chocolate-coated caramel pieces, as well as chocolate covered candies with assorted fruit or coffee filling.  

“We’ve developed product lines with no-GMOs, no artificial colors and no artificial flavors in appreciation of these trends, the most notable of which is the growing line of Sweetly Natural lollipops, now available in 31g and 10.5g lollipop sizes,” LeBrun says. 

Mars Chocolate North America

Booth 805

Mars Chocolate North America will feature two innovations: TWIX White Chocolate Cookie Bars and DOVE Sorbet Bars.

TWIX White Chocolate Cookie Bars feature two crunchy cookie bars covered with smooth caramel and enrobed in creamy white chocolate. DOVE Sorbet Bars feature sorbet dipped in DOVE Chocolate. They come in two flavors: DOVE Strawberry Sorbet with Milk Chocolate and DOVE Raspberry Sorbet with Dark Chocolate and have 150 calories per bar.

“Seasonal continues to grow, and we will feature our new innovations for the upcoming seasons,” says Larry Lupo, vice president of sales–grocery, convenience and drug channels for the Hackettstown, N.J.-based company. M&M’S S’Mores Candies, which will be available for Halloween 2016, are one example of the seasonal innovations that Mars will highlight at its booth.  

Sanders Candy 

Booth 883

With more than 140 years of experience in the confection industry, Sanders Candy offers premier gourmet confections including baked goods, gourmet dessert toppings, super premium ice cream and fine chocolates. The Clinton Township, Mich.-based company is best known for its Bumpy Cake, among other sweets. 

Sanders officials are looking forward to showing current and potential customers popular and new items, says Nakia Mills, director of public relations. “The Sweets & Snacks Show is a great way to share news about your own company while learning about industry trends and gaining customer insight,” Mills says. "We are very excited to be showing two new product lines at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Show: our Three Piece Collection Sea Salt Caramels and our new Caramel Mini Bites.”

The Three Piece Collection features kettle-cooked caramel in Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel and Milk Chocolate Espresso Sea Salt Caramel with Dark Drizzle varieties. Mini Bites are available in popular Milk and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel options, along with a new Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel flavor.

Mondelēz International

Booth 1037

With a portfolio that features billion-dollar brands, including Nabisco and Oreo biscuits, and Trident gum, Mondelēz International is poised to provide attendees with the opportunity to experience its latest products and innovations, while networking with its team of experts. 

“We want to ensure every customer that visits our booth leaves with new insights, product, display and marketing ideas to expand their opportunities for success,” says Rick Brindle, vice president of industry development for the Hanover, N.J.-based company. 

In addition to demonstrating the total scale of its snack brands, Mondelēz International will feature new products like Dentyne SubZero Gum and Mints, Trident White Minty Bubble, Stride Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry and Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish at its booth. The company’s new brand, GOOD THiNS, will also be highlighted. 

Van Holten’s 

Booth 2183

Van Holten’s will be highlighting its newest offering. “Enhanced with electrolytes, Pickle-Ice replenishes essential minerals and keeps the body hydrated in the summer heat,” says Eric Girard, vice president of sales and marketing for the Waterloo, Wis.-based company. 

The 2-ounce flavored freeze pops can be enjoyed frozen or unfrozen, and they come packed in a 48-count display case or an 8-count peg-able bag. Pickle-Ice has a suggested retail price of 49-cents. 

The company’s Pickle-In-A-Pouch has serious shelf appeal, Girard adds. It is offered in four flavors and three sizes. “Our pickles come in an easy to merchandise stand up pouch and 12-count display case,” he says, “So add some pop to snacking with our Bacon Cheddar or Dill Pickle Popcorn 12-count display case.”

Golden Cannoli

Booth 6315

Known for its cannoli shells and filling, Golden Cannoli will launch its Original Cannoli Chip snack bags. For three years the company has been selling cannoli chips in plastic labeled clamshells out of the bakery department. The snack bags mark the first time the brand will be seen in the snack aisle, says Valerie Bono, owner/chief marketing and sales officer for the Chelsea, Mass.-based company. 

“What is new about our launch in May is that we will be taking that same great, original cannoli chip, dusted with toppings and flavors, tossing them into a bag/pouch and moving it into the snack aisle/pop up displays in retail and marketplaces,” Bono says. “Our flavor profiles are innovative, fresh and exciting, which allows customers to enjoy the cannoli experience as a snack and make everyday a holiday.” 

Black Jewell Popcorn 

Booth 7000

In 1963, Black Jewell Popcorn began growing and selling a proprietary, small black kernel, a hulless popcorn variety. The seed is the cornerstone of the brand, and today the Columbus, Ind.-based company offers different varieties of popcorns sold as loose kernels in jars and bottles, as well as convenient microwave packages. 

“Black Jewell is excited to be expanding into new ready-to-eat popcorn varieties using our proprietary, small black kernel,” says Barry Johnson, president. “With the introduction of Black Jewell’s Null Hull items, consumers can now enjoy a truly hulless popcorn with the convenience of a RTE bag in three great flavors: Sea Salt, White Cheddar and Kettle.”

The company’s three varieties of 28.35-ounce jars and 15-ounce bottles of kernels in Original Black, Crimson Jewell & Native Mix will also be on display. Additionally, varieties of microwave—Natural, Butter, Kettle & No Salt No Oil—will be highlighted.