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  "description": "The global confectionery and snack industries are preparing for one of their most important gatherings in years, as the 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo debuts in Las Vegas - and CocoaRadar will be in town with the latest",
  "path": "/eyes-down-in-las-vegas-as-sweets-snacks-expo-2026-goes-all-in-for-global-confectionery/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-11T12:21:05.000Z",
  "site": "https://cocoaradar.com",
  "tags": [
    "Subscribe\n        →",
    "Global Top 100 Candy Companies",
    "Register Here",
    "Sweets & Snacks Expo"
  ],
  "textContent": "From our desk to yours. DailyDaily.\n\n##  Join our growing community of members and receive a free version of our daily newsletter on what really matters in cocoa.\n\nNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n\n        Subscribe\n        →\n\n\nWith more than 16,000 attendees, 1,000 exhibitors and 275,000 square feet of exhibition space expected, the event marks far more than a simple venue change.\n\nIndustry leaders are positioning the move from Indianapolis to Las Vegas as a transformational moment for the sector – one that reflects a broader shift toward experiential trade events, accelerated innovation, AI-driven manufacturing, startup disruption and a rapidly evolving global consumer base.\n\nAt the same time, the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers are tightening their hold on a resilient market that continues to outperform despite inflationary pressures, supply-chain disruption and changing consumer preferences.\n\nThe result is an industry with a notably optimistic outlook for 2026.\n\nAdvertisement\n\n\n\n\n\n### **Big Chocolate Tightens Its Grip**\n\nAhead of the Expo, the latest Global Top 100 Candy Companies ranking reinforced the dominance of a small group of multinational confectionery giants.\n\nUS-based Mondelēz International retained its position as the world’s largest candy producer by revenue, posting confectionery sales of approximately $38.5 billion.\n\nClose behind was Mars Inc. with $36 billion, followed by Italy’s Ferrero Group at $22.2 billion.\n\nThe top five were completed by The Hershey Company and Nestlé, highlighting the continued influence of what many analysts refer to as ‘Big Chocolate.’\n\nTogether, these corporations command enormous manufacturing capacity, deeply entrenched global distribution networks and some of the world’s most recognisable consumer brands.\n\nBeyond the top tier, companies including Meiji Co., Lindt & Sprüngli, Haribo, Perfetti Van Melle and Pladis rounded out the global top 10.\n\nAccording to industry forecasts, the global candy market is now valued at approximately $78.8 billion and is projected to reach $99 billion by 2031, driven by premiumisation, expansion of digital commerce, emerging-market growth, and sustained consumer demand for indulgence.\n\nThe scene is set: Las Vegas Convention Center is ready to welcome Sweets & Snacks Expo.\n\n### **Las Vegas Becomes the Industry’s New Global Stage**\n\nThe relocation of the Sweets & Snacks Expo to Las Vegas represents a deliberate repositioning effort by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the event's organisers.\n\nIn comments published by trade title Confectionery Production, Carly Schildhaus, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for the NCA, described the move as a pivotal moment for the exhibition and the broader industry.\n\n> “We are going all in. We are in Las Vegas for the first time and it’s a really exciting chapter for us.”\n\n> She added: “People know Las Vegas as an incredible trade show destination.”\n\n> And perhaps most significantly: “The momentum is there. People are so excited about what this means for the confectionery and snack industries.”\n\nThe strategic logic is clear. Las Vegas offers stronger international connectivity, larger-scale event infrastructure and a globally recognised convention ecosystem capable of supporting the Expo’s increasing international ambitions.\n\nFor buyers and distributors across Asia-Pacific, Australia, Europe and Latin America, the city’s accessibility is expected to significantly improve attendance and commercial engagement.\n\nThe move also aligns with a broader trend reshaping global B2B events: the transition from transactional trade exhibitions to immersive, high-energy industry experiences.\n\nIn Las Vegas, organisers are seeking to combine sourcing, networking, entertainment, education and innovation into a single ecosystem.\n\n### **An Industry Built on ‘Affordable Joy’**\n\nDespite continued economic uncertainty, the confectionery sector remains remarkably resilient.\n\nOne of the central narratives emerging ahead of the Expo is the idea of confectionery as an affordable emotional indulgence – a small luxury consumers continue to prioritise even during financially challenging periods.\n\nAs Schildhaus noted in the Confectionery Production interview: “Consumers are leaving room in their budgets for confectionery products.”\n\nShe added: “That’s a little bit of sweetness and a little bit of joy to add to a challenging time.”\n\nThis positioning has become increasingly important for major brands navigating inflation, rising cocoa costs and shifting consumer purchasing habits.\n\nRather than abandoning indulgence altogether, many consumers are trading up to products that offer emotional comfort, nostalgia, and novelty at relatively accessible price points.\n\nThat dynamic is helping sustain strong category performance globally.\n\n#### CAA\n\nThe conference theme, \"Good Together: Building an Agile Cocoa Future\" reflects the collective resolve of the industry to respond to one of the most volatile and complex periods the sector has ever faced — together.\n\nRegister Here\n\n### **‘Newstalgia’ and the Return of Familiar Flavours**\n\nAmong the dominant trends expected to shape the Expo floor is what organisers describe as ‘Newstalgia’ — the reinvention of classic confectionery products through modern flavours, formats and sensory experiences.\n\nAccording to pre-show trend forecasts released by the NCA, iconic brands are increasingly blending nostalgia with innovation to reconnect with consumers seeking familiarity alongside novelty.\n\nThis includes:\n\n  * Retro-inspired flavours with contemporary twists\n  * Seasonal and limited-edition launches\n  * Reimagined packaging\n  * Hybrid textures and sensory contrasts\n  * Social-media-driven collectable products\n\n\n\nSchildhaus described nostalgia as a continuing core consumer driver: “We’re seeing a continuation of this concept of nostalgia.”\n\nAt the same time, brands are intensifying experimentation with flavour and texture combinations.\n\nAmong the standout trends expected in Las Vegas:\n\n  * Sweet and spicy flavour pairings\n  * Chewy and crunchy texture combinations\n  * Layered sensory experiences\n  * Short-run and limited-time offerings designed to drive urgency and FOMO\n\n\n\nAs Schildhaus explained: “Sweet and spicy is really popular.”\n\nAnd: “Chewy and crunchy is one that’s very cool together.”\n\nThe trend reflects how confectionery companies are increasingly competing not simply on taste, but on experience, social engagement and novelty cycles.\n\n### **Startups Take Centre Stage**\n\nWhile multinational corporations dominate revenue rankings, the Expo is also becoming an increasingly important launchpad for emerging brands.\n\nA major feature of the 2026 show will again be the ‘5x5’ startup pitch competition, where confectionery and snack startups present directly to retailers in what organisers describe as a ‘Shark Tank-style’ environment.\n\n> Schildhaus emphasised the Expo’s importance as a discovery platform: “There is no better place to showcase new products and new companies than at Sweets and Snacks.”\n\nShe added: “The next new hot products are in that room.”\n\nThe growing emphasis on startups reflects changing priorities among retailers.\n\nBuyers are increasingly searching for:\n\n  * differentiated products,\n  * disruptive flavour concepts,\n  * functional ingredients,\n  * sustainability positioning,\n  * and digitally native brands capable of generating online engagement.\n\n\n\nFor emerging companies, the Expo offers rare direct access to large retail decision-makers and distribution networks.\n\n### **AI Moves Into the Confectionery Mainstream**\n\nOne of the most notable developments shaping the 2026 industry conversation is the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence across manufacturing, packaging, marketing and supply-chain management.\n\nAccording to a new report from PMMI, AI adoption is rapidly moving beyond pilot projects into broader operational deployment.\n\nThe report, _Building an AI Advantage in Packaging Equipment_ , identifies several key drivers behind the acceleration:\n\n  * Falling implementation costs\n  * Greater accessibility for mid-sized manufacturers\n  * Increased worker familiarity\n  * Improved confidence in ROI\n  * Expanding functionality in predictive maintenance and machine vision\n\n\n\nJorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development at PMMI, said manufacturers are increasingly recognising AI’s ability to address labour shortages, operational efficiency and production consistency.\n\nAmong the fastest-growing applications are:\n\n  * machine vision systems,\n  * predictive maintenance,\n  * knowledge transfer,\n  * compliance automation,\n  * and data transparency systems.\n\n\n\nThe report also predicts a future in which AI orchestrates entire production environments dynamically across throughput, quality, energy use and cost management.\n\nImportantly, AI is also becoming part of confectionery brand storytelling itself.\n\nIn comments referenced by Confectionery Production, Schildhaus highlighted how AI-powered campaign tools are beginning to enter mainstream industry marketing.\n\n“It is AI-powered, which is just showing how we are integrating some new technology into the space.”\n\nThe message is significant.\n\nThe confectionery industry is increasingly positioning itself not as a legacy manufacturing category, but as a technologically adaptive sector embracing automation, analytics and digital engagement.\n\nHershey's is one of the big chocolate brands that maintains a large presence at the Sweets & Snacks Expo. Image: cocoaradar.com\n\n### More Than a Trade **Show**\n\nThe 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is being framed as far more than a traditional confectionery exhibition.\n\nThe event now spans the full industry ecosystem, including:\n\n  * ingredient suppliers,\n  * packaging firms,\n  * processing technology providers,\n  * retailers,\n  * distributors,\n  * OEM manufacturers,\n  * startup incubators,\n  * and international trade pavilions.\n\n\n\nThe expanded Supplier Showcase on May 18–19 further reinforces the Expo’s growing importance as a supply-chain and infrastructure platform.\n\nThis broader positioning reflects how confectionery companies are increasingly operating within highly interconnected global systems influenced by:\n\n  * commodity volatility,\n  * logistics disruption,\n  * sustainability pressures,\n  * regulatory shifts,\n  * and digital commerce transformation.\n\n\n\nThe Expo’s educational programming is also expanding, with sessions focused on AI integration, category management, retail strategy, consumer behaviour, and innovation forecasting.\n\n### **Winning** the**Aisle**\n\nThe official 2026 theme – _Game Changer: Win the Aisle_ – captures the increasingly competitive nature of confectionery and snack retailing.\n\nFor brands, shelf space is no longer won solely through scale.\n\nSuccess now depends on:\n\n  * speed to market,\n  * trend responsiveness,\n  * experiential branding,\n  * packaging impact,\n  * and the ability to create emotional connections with consumers.\n\n\n\nThat competitive intensity is likely to define the atmosphere in Las Vegas.\n\nAs the global confectionery market approaches the $100 billion mark, Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 is shaping up as both a celebration of industry resilience and a preview of its next phase.\n\nThe world’s largest manufacturers may still dominate the revenue charts, but the future of confectionery will increasingly be shaped by innovation, technology, agility and the ability to turn small indulgences into powerful consumer experiences.\n\nAnd for three days in May, the global industry’s attention will be fixed firmly on Las Vegas.\n\n### **Need to Know**\n\n  * Sweets & Snacks Expo**| Las Vegas Convention Center | May 19–21, 2026** **Supplier Showcase: May 18–19**  \n  * **Heading to the Expo? Get in touch with the editor, Anthony Myers. Email: tony.myers@cocoaradar.com**\n\n",
  "title": "Eyes down in Las Vegas as Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 Goes ‘All In’ for Global Confectionery",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-12T15:13:30.274Z"
}