It’s always sweet to see Chicago’s McCormick Place transform into a wonderland of candy and snacks for the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo.

 
This year’s event, held May 22-24, brought together tried-and-true brands and upstarts seeking to carve out their place in an ever-changing and ever-growing market.
 
Favorite flavors such as caramel and coconut were once again on parade, but manufacturers are flexing their creative muscles, says Susan Whiteside, v.p. of public relations for the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the organization behind the Expo.
 
SBy the numbers
18,000
Number of industry professionals who attended Sweets & Snacks Expo
804
Number of companies at the show
169
Number of new exhibitors
25
Number of countries exhibitors represented
310
Candy and snack items in the New Product Showcase
90
Percent buying power in the candy industry represented at the show
75
Percent buying power in the snack industry represented at the show
May 21-23
Dates for next year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
 
 
“Classic flavor profiles like chocolate and caramel are infused with fun and tasty new ingredients like artisanal salts, spices and textures,” she said. “We’re also paying attention to bold flavors like habanero, hatch chile, rosemary and wines — including prosecco and rosé.”
 
Speaking of innovation, Barry Callebaut hosted a special tasting of Ruby chocolate, which is not yet available for use in the United State. The rosy chocolate — billed as the fourth type of chocolate after milk, dark and white — has spiked curiosity since its launch in China last fall. Featuring a berry flavor and yogurt-like creaminess, Ruby has been available for chocolatiers and pastry chefs in Belgium and China. Kit Kat has also introduced a Ruby version in Japan, South Korea and Australia.
 
And while as snacking continues to grow — as evidenced by the presence of more than 300 snack companies — the NCA marked the second year of its Always A Treat initiative. It represents a five-year effort by the country’s leading chocolate and candy companies to support and inform consumers as they enjoy sweets.
 
By 2022, consumers can expect to see a wider variety of pack sizes containing 200 calories or fewer and clearer front-of-pack nutrition information.
 
“Our industry is committed to helping consumers manage their sugar intake while still enjoying their favorite treats,” said NCA President and CEO John Downs. “Much of the confectionery industry is moving toward offering consumers more transparency, portion guidance, options and education — whether that’s a wider variety of product sizes to choose from, simple ingredient lists or clear calorie labels on the front of packaging, the industry is empowering consumers to make informed choices.
 
Find more coverage of the 2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo and past Expos here.