Under the banner of ‘Encourage.Enable.Excite!’, ISM 2023 places a stronger emphasis on the current themes and challenges of the sweets and snacks industry, which like many other industries, is facing unprecedented challenges.
Alongside the ongoing effects of the coronavirus 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.
Organisers say they will be keeping a close eye on market events between now and April, as well as exploring ongoing themes revolving around digitalisation at the POS, as well as sustainability, transparency and origins of products and ingredients.
They told ConfectioneryNews that resilience and the sustainable, resource-saving production of sweets and snacks is called for more than ever.
"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 allows more space for its innovative solutions and new approaches, and promote the opportunity for exchanging experiences in the scope of event and networking formats", said Sabine Schommer, Director ISM.
ISM 2023 will include a joint parallel event and congress programme with the special edition of the supplier trade fair ProSweets Cologne, aimed at new solutions in processing and manufacturing.
Inflation
Euromonitor, a 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 Expert Stage. with representatives from production and packaging, as well as from industry and trade looking at in particular 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 2023 takes place in Cologne, Germany from 23 - 25 April.