“Bringing Sweets & Snacks to Las Vegas for the first time created a unique opportunity to showcase the bold innovation, creativity, and momentum driving the confectionery and snack industries in a city known globally for its energy,” says John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association. “We brought Vegas-level excitement to every part of the event, with robust education, dynamic networking, and breakthrough products that reinforced why Sweets & Snacks Expo remains the industry’s premier event.”

Show highlights from this year included:

• Big innovation wins: The Most Innovative New Product Awards celebrated confectionery and snack innovations across the show floor, with Issei and Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn earning the inaugural Trailblazer Awards, and CandyRific and The Hershey Company taking home the first-ever Powerhouse Awards.
• Stacked deck on the show floor: Attendees discovered the latest trends, flavors, and business solutions from more than 1,000 exhibitors. 
• Big ideas in the spotlight: Packed education sessions explored the trends, technologies, and consumer insights shaping the future of candy and snacks.
• Vegas-style networking: From the show floor to the Strip, industry leaders made high-value connections all week long.
• Suppliers took center stage: Packaging, ingredients, equipment, and service providers at the Supplier Showcase spotlighted the solutions powering the next generation of confectionery and snack innovation.

The 2027 Sweets & Snacks Expo will return to Indianapolis from May 18-20, 2027, with a pre-show day on May 17.

Related: Wicked Cutz bacon jerky receives Sweets & Snacks award