Today’s confectionery manufacturers face a variety of challenges, including the need to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, meet sustainability goals and compete in

Confectioners will have an opportunity to see a broad range of packaging as well as processing technologies at this year’s Pack Expo in Chicago.

an ever-expanding marketplace. PACK EXPO International, which will take place at Chicago’s McCormick Place on Oct. 28-31, will provide professionals in this industry with the resources and insights to overcome these hurdles.

The show’s candy-centric approach presents several features that help make finding technologies for confectionery processing and packaging fast and easy.

Among them is The Confectionery Pavilion — a sold-out, specialty pavilion located in the South Hall. This dedicated area will showcase solutions for maximizing convenience, shelf life and production line efficiency for chocolates, candy, gum and other confections.

Located inside The Confectionery Pavilion, The Candy Bar lounge (booth S-1283) will provide a central networking location for confectionery manufacturers and suppliers, equipped with an “Ask the Expert” feature where attendees can gain insight from industry veterans, as they address questions on packaging- and processing-related challenges. The lounge will host a special reception on Monday, October 29, from 4:00 pm–5:30 pm.

Both The Candy Bar lounge and The Confectionery Pavilion are sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

 “Our partnership with the NCA demonstrates the value that PACK EXPO International 2012 will provide to confectionery manufacturers both as a resource for the technologies they need tomorrow and the insights they need to build a successful future,” said Charles D. Yuska, president and ceo of PMMI.