Crispy Innovations and Sweet Success: Your Guide to SNX, the Snack Industry’s Premier Event!

The world loves snacks. From crunchy chips and savory nuts to wholesome bars and indulgent treats, the snack industry is a multi-billion dollar powerhouse, constantly evolving to meet changing consumer tastes and dietary trends. It’s a landscape driven by rapid innovation in ingredients, processing, packaging, and sustainability. For anyone deeply embedded in the creation, production, distribution, or marketing of snack foods, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. This is precisely why the SNX event, presented by SNAC International, is an indispensable annual gathering.

For many years, SNAXPO was the flagship event for the snack industry. However, in a move to better serve the dynamic and evolving needs of its members and the broader industry, SNAC International strategically shifted its approach. They now offer two complementary events that alternate each year: SNAXPO and SNX. While SNAXPO remains a traditional, vertically integrated trade show, SNX focuses heavily on education, collaboration, and private business meetings, offering a highly curated experience. It’s designed to foster meaningful discussions, facilitate discovery, and drive decision-making that leads to product innovation, efficiencies, and growth across the entire snack supply chain. This is not just a place to see machines; it’s a forum to shape the future of snacking. If you’re looking to forge strategic partnerships, gain cutting-edge insights, and propel your snack business forward, SNX is the ultimate destination.

The Innovation Hub: Venue and Time

SNX, like its counterpart SNAXPO, rotates its location to ensure broad accessibility and exposure to different regional markets within the U.S. This strategic rotation allows for fresh perspectives and accommodates the unique needs of a diverse industry.

The Dynamic Destinations: The Venue SNX (and SNAXPO) typically chooses major convention-friendly cities that offer excellent infrastructure and are central to large business communities.

For 2025, the SNX event is scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, likely at the Orange County Convention Center. This sprawling convention center is a popular choice for large industry events, offering extensive exhibit space, numerous meeting rooms, and proximity to a vast array of hotels and entertainment options.

Looking ahead, for 2026, SNX is set to return to Dallas, Texas. While specific venues can vary, Dallas is a well-established hub for trade shows, often utilizing facilities like the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The rotation between these major U.S. cities ensures broad access for snack professionals from across the country and internationally.

The Power-Packed Agenda: The Schedule SNX is an annual event, consistently taking place in late March or early April. This timing is strategic, allowing industry professionals to gather early in the year to discuss trends, plan new product launches, and secure partnerships for the year ahead.

For 2025, the SNX event is scheduled for March 30 – April 1, 2025.

The event typically runs for two to three full days, packed with a unique format designed for maximum engagement and efficiency:

• Supplier Suites: A key feature of SNX. Instead of traditional booths, many suppliers host private, pre-scheduled one-on-one business meetings with snack producers. This allows for highly focused and productive discussions.
• Experience Zone: This curated area on the event floor organizes suppliers by snack production categories (Ingredients, Processing, Flavor, Packaging, and Market), allowing attendees to navigate the complete snack production journey in a logical, interactive way.
• Education Arena: Features an ongoing series of “SNAC Bites” – short, impactful 20-minute sessions addressing critical industry trends, challenges, innovative ideas, and success stories. Longer keynote speeches and breakout sessions also provide deeper dives into crucial topics.
• Networking Events: Structured and organic networking opportunities are woven throughout the event, fostering connections between producers, suppliers, and emerging brands.

This innovative format distinguishes SNX as a highly effective forum for business development and knowledge exchange.

The Full Flavor Spectrum: Key Product and Service Categories

SNX, as a focused event for the snack industry, covers the entire vertically integrated supply chain. This means attendees can explore every facet of snack production and market placement. Key product and service categories typically featured include:

• Ingredients:
  • Flavorings & Seasonings: A massive category, including savory, sweet, spicy, ethnic, and natural flavors.
  • Bases & Starches: Corn, potato, wheat, rice, legume-based ingredients.
  • Fats & Oils: Conventional, healthy oils, specialty fats.
  • Sweeteners: Sugars, natural sweeteners, high-intensity sweeteners, sugar substitutes.
  • Nutritional Ingredients: Proteins (plant-based, dairy), fibers, vitamins, minerals, functional ingredients.
  • Specialty Ingredients: Inclusions (nuts, seeds, dried fruit), gluten-free solutions, allergen-free alternatives.
• Processing Equipment & Technology:
  • Extrusion & Forming Equipment: For chips, puffed snacks, crackers, and other shaped snacks.
  • Frying Systems: Batch and continuous fryers, vacuum fryers.
  • Baking & Roasting Equipment: Ovens, roasters, toasting systems.
  • Seasoning & Coating Systems: Tumblers, sprayers, applicators for precise flavor distribution.
  • Drying & Cooling Equipment: For various snack products.
  • Material Handling: Conveyors, vibratory feeders, elevators.
  • Quality Control & Inspection: Metal detectors, X-ray systems, optical sorters, checkweighers.
  • Automation & Robotics: For various stages of snack production.
• Packaging Solutions:
  • Flexible Packaging: Films, laminates, pouches, bags (stand-up, pillow, gusseted).
  • Rigid Packaging: Tubs, cups, trays, canisters.
  • Sustainable Packaging: Compostable, recyclable, biodegradable materials.
  • Packaging Machinery: Vertical form fill seal (VFFS), horizontal form fill seal (HFFS), bagging machines, cartoners, case packers.
  • Labeling & Printing Equipment.
• Supply Chain & Logistics:
  • Warehouse solutions, cold storage.
  • Transportation services, freight, and distribution.
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance:
  • Testing services, HACCP compliance, food safety certifications.
  • Hygiene and sanitation solutions.
• Market Research & Consumer Insights:
  • Data analysis on consumer trends, market sizing, competitive intelligence.
• Consulting & Business Services:
  • Product development, R&D, brand strategy, financial services for the snack industry.
• Startups & Emerging Brands: A dedicated “Startups Hub” or “SNAC Tank Pitch Competition” often provides a platform for new and innovative snack companies.

This comprehensive categorization ensures that attendees can efficiently navigate the show to find solutions tailored to their specific needs, whether they are focused on a particular type of snack or a specific stage of the production process.

The Industry’s Inner Circle: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

SNX, by design, focuses on quality interactions and deep engagement rather than sheer volume of attendees. It aims to connect key decision-makers and innovators.

• Attendee Count: SNX draws a highly curated audience. For example, SNX 2024 saw 465 attendees, a significant increase from its inaugural 2022 event. While this number might seem smaller compared to massive general food shows, it reflects a concentrated group of high-level snack producers and key suppliers looking for direct business engagement.
• Exhibitor Count: The “Experience Zone” and “Supplier Suites” model means that traditional “exhibitor count” is structured differently. Instead of hundreds of large booths, SNX focuses on a more curated number of suppliers participating in private meetings and in the segmented Experience Zone, which ensures a higher quality of interaction. These are the leading companies providing essential solutions across the snack supply chain.
• Attendee Demographics: The audience at SNX is specifically designed for serious business:
  • Snack Producers: Manufacturers of chips, pretzels, nuts, bars, cookies, crackers, meat snacks, fruit snacks, and other sweet and savory snack categories. This includes R&D, operations, procurement, and executive leadership.
  • Ingredient Suppliers: Companies providing flavors, bases, functional ingredients, and more.
  • Processing Equipment Manufacturers: Innovators in snack production machinery.
  • Packaging Solution Providers: Offering new materials, designs, and machinery.
  • Technology & Automation Providers: For smart factories, quality control, and efficiency.
  • Startups & Emerging Brands: Seeking mentorship, investment, and supply chain partners.
  • Consultants & Service Providers: Specialized in the snack industry.

This highly targeted demographic ensures that every meeting and interaction is purposeful and valuable, fostering true collaboration.

The Recipe for Success: Benefits and Perks of Attending

Attending SNX offers unique advantages that are tailored to the specific needs of the snack industry, focusing on quality interactions and actionable insights.

• Curated Business Meetings (Supplier Suites): This is a standout perk. Instead of hoping to connect on a crowded show floor, SNX facilitates pre-scheduled, private one-on-one meetings between snack producers and key suppliers. This ensures highly productive discussions and direct paths to partnership.
• Targeted Networking: The event design encourages focused networking with key decision-makers across the vertically integrated snack supply chain. You’ll meet the right people to solve your specific challenges or expand your business.
• Cutting-Edge Education (SNAC Bites & Keynotes): Gain rapid-fire insights from industry thought leaders through short, impactful “SNAC Bites” sessions on the show floor, covering critical trends, technologies, and business strategies. Deeper dives are also available through keynote presentations.
• Process-Oriented Experience Zone: Walk through the snack production journey in a logical, segmented manner (Ingredients, Processing, Flavor, Packaging, Market). This allows for a holistic understanding of the latest innovations at each stage.
• Startup Showcase & SNAC Tank: Discover the next big thing in snacking by connecting with innovative startup brands and witnessing their pitches. This offers a glimpse into future trends and potential partnership opportunities.
• Problem-Solving Focus: SNX is designed to facilitate solutions. Whether you’re grappling with supply chain disruptions, ingredient sourcing, automation challenges, or consumer demand shifts, you’ll find experts and solutions ready to help.
• Ingredient & Flavor Trends: Get direct exposure to the latest ingredient innovations and flavor profiles that are shaping the snack market. Taste, discuss, and explore what’s next.
• Packaging Innovation: Discover sustainable packaging solutions, advanced machinery, and design trends that can enhance shelf appeal and extend product freshness.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Exchange ideas and best practices with other snack industry professionals, gaining valuable perspectives from those facing similar opportunities and challenges.
• Strategic Market Insights: Understand consumer preferences, market growth drivers, and regulatory changes that impact the snack industry, helping you make informed business decisions.

Your Snack-Friendly Stay: Nearby Hotels and Convenient Accommodation

As SNX rotates its location, nearby hotel options will vary. However, for a major convention city like Orlando, Florida (2025 location), attendees will find a vast array of accommodation choices catering to all budgets and preferences.

When the event is at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), numerous hotels are either directly connected to the convention center or within a very short walking distance along International Drive. These often include major brands like:

• Hyatt Regency Orlando (connected to the OCCC)
• Hilton Orlando (connected to the OCCC via a sky bridge)
• Rosen Centre Hotel
• Rosen Plaza Hotel
• Numerous other hotels along International Drive (I-Drive), ranging from budget-friendly to luxury resorts, all with easy access to the OCCC via shuttle services or rideshare.

For the Dallas, Texas location (2026), if the event is at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, downtown Dallas offers a wide range of hotels, including:

• Omni Dallas Hotel (connected to the Convention Center)
• Various Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and independent hotels in the downtown core.

SNAC International, as the event organizer, will typically work with official hotel partners to secure discounted room blocks for attendees. Booking through these official channels is highly recommended as it often provides the best rates, flexible cancellation policies, and sometimes includes perks like shuttle services to the venue. Given the popularity of these cities for conventions, booking your accommodation well in advance is always a wise strategy.

The Investment in Every Bite: Understanding the Cost to Attend

Attending SNX is an investment in the growth and future of your snack business. While specific pricing can vary year-to-year and depending on registration timing, here’s a general idea of what to expect based on past SNX events:

• General Attendee Registration:
  • Early Bird Rates: Typically range from $700 – $1,000+ USD for a full conference pass (which includes access to education, Experience Zone, and networking events).
  • Standard/On-Site Rates: These prices will be higher, potentially reaching $900 – $1,200+ USD.
  • SNAC Member Discounts: Members of SNAC International often receive substantial discounts on registration fees, highlighting the value of membership.
• Startup Incentive: SNX has previously offered incentives for startups, such as reduced registration fees (e.g., half off) and travel vouchers, to encourage new brands to participate and connect.
• Supplier Suite / Experience Zone Kiosk: Costs for suppliers to have a presence (either a private suite or a kiosk in the Experience Zone) are significantly higher and vary based on the package chosen, ranging from several thousand dollars upwards.

These fees generally cover access to all official SNX programming. Attendees should also factor in personal travel, accommodation, and dining expenses. For the highly curated networking, direct business meeting opportunities, and invaluable industry insights, the investment in attending SNX is considered essential for staying competitive and innovative in the fast-paced snack food industry.

Snapping Up Success: Your Journey to Snack Industry Leadership Begins Here!

SNX is more than just a gathering; it’s a strategic accelerator for the snack industry. It’s where the most innovative ingredients meet groundbreaking processing technology, where packaging dreams become reality, and where the next big flavor is discovered. For snack producers seeking efficiency, suppliers looking for direct partnerships, or emerging brands ready to disrupt the market, SNX offers a unique and highly effective platform. Don’t just follow trends; set them. Don’t just make snacks; shape the future of a global phenomenon!

To learn more about SNX and to plan your attendance, visit: snxevent.com