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The live debates: Call for panellists at ISM and ProSweets sessions

By Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Industry experts sought for ISM and ProSweets panel sessions on reaching Millennials, the future of confectionery packaging and reformulating chocolate
Industry experts sought for ISM and ProSweets panel sessions on reaching Millennials, the future of confectionery packaging and reformulating chocolate
ConfectioneryNews will host three live sessions at ISM and ProSweets 2016 and seeks experts in confectionery packaging, chocolate reformulation and companies with innovative strategies to reach Millennials to join our panels.

The industry’s largest trade fair ISM takes place alongside processing, packaging and ingredients show ProSweets in Cologne, Germany, from January 31 to February 3 2016.

We’ve partnered with organizers Koelnmesse to chair three lively debate sessions to a live audience and are looking to recruit three industry stalwarts for each panel. Each panellist will receive a free guest pass to attend the fair.

Details of our three panels are below:

     Session One: Reaching Millennial consumers

social media, millenials, twitter, facebook

Sunday 31 January 2016 from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Host: Oliver Nieburg
Location: ISM Speakers Corner

Millennials - those aged 15 to 35 – account for a third of the world’s population, according to Innova Market Insights and are poised to overtake Baby Boomers as the biggest generation of candy buyers. How can companies connect with this socially and digitally engaged group?
Provisional Agenda:

  • Product credentials - ​Which ingredients and pack formats are likely to be a hit among young people?
  • Labeling and on-pack claims - ​How can companies make best use of on-pack claims and ingredient declarations?
  • Social media - ​How can confectioners choose the right channels and measure the impact of social campaigns?
  • Touch-point technologies - ​Utilizing technological advances to reach consumers at interruption points.

    Session Two: The Future of Confectionery Packaging

confectionery packaging chocolate

Monday 1 February 2016 - 10:30 am to 12:00 noon
Host: Jenny Eagle
Location: ProSweets Speakers Corner

Your company can have the best-tasting confectionery formulation in the world, but consumers will ultimately judge it by its cover. What does it take to have standout shelf appeal in today’s digital world? How can confectioners reduce the environmental impact of their wrapping materials while protecting product integrity? And how will packaging’s role change as e-commerce sales boom?

Provisional Agenda:
  • Light-weighting​ – Strategies to cut cost and reduce environmental impact by reducing pack materials.
  • Personalization​ – Utilizing digital technology such as QR-codes to improve the customer experience.
  • Premium packs​ – How to choose the best packaging to seize on growth in premium chocolate.
  • Colors and graphics​ – Cost-effectively picking the colors and graphics reflective of current fashion trends.
  • Shelf life​ – Materials to protect the product in emerging markets with hot climates.
  • E-commerce​ – how to adapt packaging for sale online

    Session Three: Reformulating chocolate to meet nutrition goals

healthy choc

Tuesday 2 February 2016 - 10:30am to 12:00 noon
Host: Oliver Nieburg
Location: ProSweets Speakers Corner
Chocolate manufacturers are coming under growing pressure from state and international bodies to cut sugar and fat. What options exist to reformulate? How can companies comply with legislation, preserve taste and maintain profit margins?

Provisional Agenda:
  • The regulatory environment - ​How should confectioners respond to WHO and national nutrition guidelines?
  • Cutting sugar – Strategies to cut sugar in single-serve chocolate items while sticking with sucrose
  • Alternative sweeteners​ - Can confectioners obtain similar results with polyols or stevia? What are the cost implications? 
  • Reducing fat​ - Tactics to cut back on fat while preserving mouth-feel.

Who we are looking for

Panellists will field questions from the host in open discussions that encourage audience participation.

We’re keen to hear from big European brands such as Nestlé, Mondelēz, Mars, Ferrero, Perfetti Van Melle and Katjes.

We will not allow marketing plugs, but are also open to panellists from leading industry suppliers, research organizations and private consultants.

Why join our panel?

  • Receive a free pass to the world’s largest confectionery fair
  • Showcase your expertise to an audience of big retailers and industry peers
  • Be a representative of your industry
  • Be part of ConfectioneryNews’ social media campaign, pre-show panellist interviews and video highlights reels

If you are interested, please contact ConfectioneryNews editor Oliver Nieburg - byvire.avrohet@jeoz.pbz

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