Warheads Super Sour Candy Canes, Christmas-inspired Dum Dum flavors and an Ovation Mint Filled Break-A-Part, are just some of the items slated to be showcased at this year’s Candy Planning: Christmas and Halloween ECRM event, Feb. 18-21 at Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter in San Antonio. (Click here to start a slide show of new items slated to be on display at the event!)

Suppliers will have the opportunity to meet with pre-qualified buyers to discuss new product and programs for the 2013 Christmas and Halloween holiday seasons. The private meetings are pre-scheduled based on category focus and guarantee face time with the decision makers.

As preparation for this event is well underway, suppliers are not just gearing up for meetings, they’re also preparing for the annual Kids Candy Choice Awards hosted by ECRM and the Candy Industry Magazine.

Participating suppliers will compete to take home the title for best new chocolate, best new non-chocolate or best novelty candy. But with stiff competition and 75 children from The Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio judging the contest, these awards aren’t won easily.  

The winners will be announced in the evening on Feb. 19, and in addition to a plaque and bragging rights, the winners will receive a full page ad in the April issue of Candy Industry magazine, a banner ad in the publication’s electronic newsletter, Confectionery Fix; and a one-month banner ad on Candy Industry's website.  

Participants must donate individually wrapped products that are separated into quantities of 100.  Registration forms and detailed participation instructions can be found on the ECRM website; www.ecrm.marketgate.com.  

Be sure to enter your products and then check out who wins in Candy Industry’s April issue!

In addition to the Kids Candy Choice Awards, this year’s event has a winter wonderland/Christmas theme.  To get in the spirit, vendors are encouraged to decorate their meeting space with the appropriate themed décor while all attendees and ECRM staff will sport their favorite Christmas attire.   Evening activities include an appearance from Santa Claus and snow cones will be readily available throughout the event.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak at some of the products that will be on display. You'll find a full list of products below, or you can click here to start a slide show of the items!
 

Brown & Haley — Holiday Roca Nutcracker Tin

CandyRific – Halloween Screamer

Divine Chocolate – Divine Chocolate Fair Trade Baking Range

Gamesformotion – Transformers Monopoly Chocolate Game

Impact Confections – Warheads Super Sour Candy Canes

Mars Chocolate North America – SNICKERS Peanut Butter Pumpkin Singles

My Favorite Candy Co. – Polar Pack Bobbles

Original Gourmet – Lollipop Bingo

Spangler Candy Co. – Dum Dums Christmas Laydown Bag

SweetWorks – Ovation Mint Filled Break-A-Part              

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. – Starburst Jellybeans Fave Reds $1 Filled Cane