Press Release

THE KEY THEME OF ISM 2023, NAMELY ” ENCOURAGE.ENABLE.EXCITE!”, PLACES A STRONGER EMPHASIS ON THE CURRENT THEMES AND CHALLENGES OF THE INDUSTRY

Cologne, November 2022

A joint event and congress programme with the special edition of the supplier trade fair ProSweets Cologne, taking place parallel, promotes exchange aimed at new solutions

The sweets and snacks industry, like many other industries, is facing unprecedented challenges. Alongside the ongoing effects of the corona pandemic, the central problems are above all the Ukrainian war and the related volatile markets, increases in the prices of energy and raw materials, as well as disrupted supply chains. However, ongoing themes revolving around digitalisation at the POS, as well as the sustainability, transparency and origins of products and ingredients still continue to play a central role. Resilience and the sustainable, resource-saving production of sweets and snacks is called for more than ever.

In its role as the leading international trade fair for the sweets and snacks industry, the ISM engages actively in these market events, thus shifting the focus in the coming year more to important content and discussions revolving around these challenges with the main theme of “ISM – Encourage.Enable.Excite!“.

“Under the flag of our new key theme, in addition to the classic product presentations, we will be relying increasingly on an exchange and discussions at ISM 2023. It is important to us in these times that the industry allow more space for its innovative solutions and new approaches, and promote the opportunity for exchanging experiences in the scope of event and networking formats”, explains Sabine Schommer, Director ISM.

The first highlights of the event and congress programme, being planned together with ProSweets Cologne 2023 – Special Edition taking place parallel, have already been set. Thus, for example, Euromonitor, the partner of both trade fairs of many years, will discuss the effects of inflation on the sweets and snacks market in Europe under the title “Inflation Surge and its Impact on Snacks”. The industry sponsor of ProSweets Cologne, DLG, will also discuss approaches to solutions for the global procurement of raw materials and energy efficiency in sweets production on the Expert Stage.

In addition to this, the networking format #CONNECT2030 will continue on the trade fair Monday, 23 April 2023 on the Expert Stage. Here, representatives from production and packaging, as well as from industry and trade will dedicate themselves in particular to the impact of the energy crisis and the lack of raw materials in the sweets industry. The event will then offer all participants and speakers the possibility to exchange ideas with the industry pros and to establish new business contacts along the entire value creation chain under the motto “Meet the Speakers”.

#ISM

Press Release

ISM 2023 WITH NEW DATE: WORLD’S LARGEST TRADE FAIR FOR CONFECTIONERY AND SNACKS TO BE HELD ONCE ONLY FROM APRIL 23 TO 25

Cologne, 10th June 2022 

Koelnmesse is thus following the wishes of the confectionery and snacks industry – duration will be shortened from four to three days for 2023 – ProSweets Cologne is examining possibilities for implementation in April

In consultation with the conceptual sponsors of ISM and decision-makers in the industry, Koelnmesse has decided to postpone next year’s ISM International Sweets and Biscuits Fair from the end of January to the new date of 23 to 25 April 2023, on a one-off basis. In doing so, Koelnmesse is taking into account the wishes of ISM’s sponsoring associations. The entire confectionery industry is currently facing extreme challenges with dramatic cost explosions for raw materials, energy and logistics as well as an almost incalculable consumer behavior, according to the associations. The industry now hopes that the difficult situation will calm down again and that there could then be significantly better planning certainty at the later trade show date in April 2023.

The one-time postponement will also shorten the duration of the world’s largest trade fair for confectionery and snacks by one day for the 2023 edition. ProSweets Cologne, which is normally held in parallel, is examining the possibilities for implementation in April in consultation with the trade fair’s sponsors and will announce further details on this in due course.

“With the one-time date shift, we are meeting the wishes of the confectionery and snack industry and thus ensuring the greatest possible business opportunities for all companies and visitors involved. It is important to us to provide a fully comprehensive overview of the global market for the confectionery and snack industry and to ensure the usual high quality of exhibiting companies and international participating trade visitors,” explains Gerald Böse, Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.

Preparations for the event in April are already in full swing in order to provide all participants with maximum planning security and an optimum schedule for ISM 2023.

The next ISM is scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 April 2023.

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