It’s Almost Candy Time in Chicago

A full schedule of educational sessions will complement the show floor excitement.

It’s spring in Chicago, which means that the All Candy Expo is fast approaching. It’s slated for June 8 – 10, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center. In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors and the more than 1,000 new products the Expo will highlight, this year’s show boasts several new features.

For some visual splendor, be sure to check out the new Seasonal Merchandising Display and Database. It will feature fun and innovative merchandising concepts for the four big candy holidays.

There’s also a showcase for reduced-carbohydrate, reduced-sugar and functional confectionery products — the kinds of items that vendors have developed to address the demands of contemporary consumers.

Also new this year is a buyer lounge located just down the hall from the show floor in Room E353a. The lounge will resemble a VIP airline lounge — complete with comfortable seating areas, business service amenities and small semi-private meeting cubicles for buyers and their guests. It will be open to all registered buyers.

The now traditional oasis for buyers seeking a break from the show floor — the VIB (Very Important Buyer) Boat — will again be docked at McCormick Place on Lake Michigan. The VIB boat will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 9, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 10. On Thursday afternoon, buyers and their families may conclude their Expo activities with a boat ride on the lake.

Show hours are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday; and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday. Registration opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday and at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and closes at the end of each show day.

More detailed information on this year’s All Candy Expo may be found on the web at www.AllCandyExpo.com.

Expo Educational Agenda

Monday, June 7
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Room Regency BC,
Hyatt Regency on Wacker
Confectionery Cross Merchandising Ideas to Drive Sales and Profits
Speakers: Professors Richard J. George, Ph.D, and John L. Stanton, Ph.D, Department of Food Marketing, St. Joseph’s University

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Room Regency A,
Hyatt Regency on Wacker
Reality Candy
Speakers: Russell M. Case, Director of Sales, Adams & Brooks, Inc., Professor Richard J. George, Ph.D, and Professor John L. Stanton, Ph.D, Department of Food Marketing, St. Joseph’s University

Tuesday, June 8
8:30 – 10 a.m.,
Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place
(continental breakfast
served at 8 a.m.)
Opening Session
NCA Chairman, Bill Kelley and NCA President, Larry Graham, welcome attendees to the 2004
All Candy Expo and present an update on industry trends

New Consumer Insights on Candy Gondola Marketing
Presenter: Tim Quinn, National Sales Manager, In-Store Solutions, Masterfoods USA, a Division of Mars, Incorporated

Nutritional Trends in the United States
Presenter: Barry Sears, PhD,
President of Zone Labs

Wednesday, June 9
8 – 9:15 a.m.
Room E350, McCormick Place
Where Are Consumers
Buying Candy and Why?
Introduction: Eric Baty, Consolidated Sales Network
Speaker: Al Meyers, Vice President, Retail Forward

9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Room E351, McCormick Place
The Trend Toward Nutritional Snacks and Healthy Lifestyles
Speaker: Janice Smith-Gomez, Masterfoods USA, a Division of Mars Incorporated

1:30 – 2:45 p.m
Room E350, McCormick Place
How to Turn Store Visitors into Candy and Gum Purchasers
Speaker: Tom Moseman, Senior Vice President, Envirosell