Last night at Candy Industry’s 70th Anniversary celebration of the magazine’s Kettle Awards, Michael Rosenberg, president and ceo of Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc. received the gleaming copper kettle. James Sconze, chairman of the Sconza Candy Co. and Robert Nelson, president of the Elmer Candy Co., nominees for the award, were also recognized at the event, which was held at the Union League Club in Chicago.

Nearly 250 people attended the reception, which took place after the conclusion of the first day of the Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place. Special buses provided transportation for Expo visitors to the Union League Club.

In 1979, while still an undergraduate student at American University in Washington, D.C. Rosenberg started Rosenberg & Co. Enterprises from his college dormitory room with $150. By August of 1980, Rosenber had amassed $10,000 and formally incorporated the business, which was subsequently renamed Promotion in Motion, Inc.

Thirty-five years later the Promotion in Motion Companies, Inc. continues to expand and diversify domestically and globally. As one of the largest confectionery and snack food manufacturers in North America, the company produces such favorites as Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Sun-Maid Milk Chocolate Raisins, Fisher Milk Chocolate Peanuts and Sour Jacks, among others.

In 1997, he helped establish the inaugural All Candy Expo (now Sweets & Snacks Expo) taking on duties as Chairman for an unprecendent three terms. In addition to serving multiple stints on the NCA’s Executive Board, Board of Trustees and countless committees and panels, Rosenberg is also a member of the World Cocoa Foundation.