Indulge Your Senses: Your Definitive Guide to the Sweets & Snacks Expo!

Imagine a kaleidoscope of flavors, a symphony of textures, and an explosion of vibrant packaging stretching as far as the eye can see. Picture thousands of candy and snack industry professionals, from master chocolatiers to cutting-edge snack innovators, converging in one colossal space to unveil the next big crave. This is the exhilarating reality of the Sweets & Snacks Expo, the undisputed epicenter of innovation and opportunity for North America’s confectionery and snack industries. Organized annually by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), this premier trade-only event is where the future of sweet and savory treats is not just discussed, but tasted, explored, and shaped. While its location gracefully shifts between dynamic convention cities across the USA, the recently concluded 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, perfectly exemplified the sheer scale, collaborative spirit, and critical importance of this unmissable gathering. It’s not just a trade show; it’s the definitive annual forum, a crucial nexus of trend forecasting, exclusive product launches, and unparalleled networking, meticulously designed to propel businesses forward in the ever-evolving world of confections and snacks.

Step onto the bustling exhibition floor of the Indiana Convention Center, a vibrant marketplace teeming with ingenuity and delicious possibilities. You’ll be surrounded by over 1,000 exhibitors, showcasing everything from nostalgic candies reimagined for a new generation and innovative plant-based snacks, to gourmet chocolates and functional wellness bites. This isn’t a passive viewing experience; it’s an immersive journey. Taste unique flavor combinations, examine the latest advancements in sustainable packaging, and hear directly from the creators behind the brands set to dominate the market. The Sweets & Snacks Expo offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover “Most Innovative New Product Award” winners, get a first look at over 300 first-time exhibitors, and find exclusive deals that can significantly impact your store’s or brand’s bottom line. It’s where a major grocery chain buyer uncovers a new line of freeze-dried candies driven by viral social media trends; where an independent convenience store owner finds a unique, locally-sourced meat snack that will become a best-seller; and where established confectionery giants unveil their latest seasonal offerings, strategizing with distributors and retailers to optimize placement and promotions. For any professional deeply committed to the success and advancement of their career or business within the colossal confectionery and snack manufacturing, distribution, or retail sectors, attending the Sweets & Snacks Expo is not merely an option—it’s an indispensable annual pilgrimage that directly impacts product assortment, fuels innovation, strengthens professional networks, and ultimately contributes to the flourishing of the entire sweet and snack supply chain.

The confectionery and snack industries are dynamic, driven by constant innovation, evolving consumer demands for convenience, unique flavors, and increasingly, healthier options. Successfully navigating this landscape requires an acute understanding of market trends, stringent quality control, and agile supply chain management. The Sweets & Snacks Expo is specifically crafted to address these very issues. It’s where a product developer can gain critical insights into the latest clean-label ingredients or sustainable packaging solutions; where a retailer can discover new impulse-buy items that resonate with today’s consumers’ desire for small indulgences and better-for-you options; and where food scientists connect with marketing professionals, collaborating on strategies to appeal to diverse dietary needs and preferences. The National Confectioners Association’s commitment to showcasing comprehensive solutions, fostering direct technical engagement, and providing a collaborative learning environment makes this an incredibly efficient platform for businesses of all sizes to thrive. If you’re a manufacturer looking for a competitive edge, a distributor aiming to understand evolving buyer needs, or a service provider keen to expand your market reach within this vital sector, attending this event offers a practical, inspiring, and profoundly strategic experience that directly contributes to your business growth and strengthens the vibrant sweet and snack community.

Your Sweet Spot: Venue, Time, and Cost

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier annual event for the confectionery and snack industries in North America, hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). It rotates its location between major convention cities to ensure broad accessibility and to offer a fresh experience each year.

A Look at Recent and Upcoming Venues The Expo consistently selects large, modern convention centers capable of accommodating its immense scale.

• May 13-15, 2025: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. This was the most recent staging of the Expo, moving from its previous long-standing home in Chicago. Indianapolis offers state-of-the-art facilities and is centrally located.
• May 19-21, 2026: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The Expo is set to return to Las Vegas, a city renowned for its large-scale trade show infrastructure.

These venues provide:

• Expansive Exhibition Halls: Over 250,000 net square feet of show floor, allowing for thousands of product displays, tasting zones, and dedicated innovation areas.
• State-of-the-Art Meeting Rooms: Ample space for over 35 educational sessions across four stages, featuring industry experts and thought leaders.
• Comprehensive Amenities: Integrated services for registration, various dining options, and often direct or convenient connections to nearby hotels.

The rotation between these major cities ensures the Expo remains fresh and accessible to a wide audience across the country.

The Annual Delight: Time and Duration The Sweets & Snacks Expo is an annual event, consistently held in May.

• When It Happens: The main show floor typically runs for three intensive days in mid-May. For instance, the 2025 Expo was May 13-15, with some pre-show events (like the Supplier Showcase and Awards Ceremony) starting on May 12. This timing is strategically chosen to allow buyers to discover new products and place orders for the latter half of the year, including key seasonal periods like Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
• Duration: While the core exhibition runs for three days, the overall experience often extends with pre-show events, educational tracks, and various networking functions, making it a comprehensive and efficient use of time for attendees.

Investing in Innovation: Cost of Participation Attending the Sweets & Snacks Expo is a strategic investment for professionals in the confectionery and snack industries. It is a trade-only event, meaning it’s not open to the general public.

• For Attendees (Retailers, Brokers, etc.): Registration fees vary based on membership with the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and the timing of registration.
  • NCA Members: Often receive discounted or complimentary registration badges. For instance, manufacturer members might get two free badges, with additional badges at a reduced rate (e.g., around $400 USD). Brokers might receive two free badges, with additional ones costing around $150 USD.
  • Non-Members: Non-member rates are significantly higher. A full conference pass for a non-member supplier or business service could be around $2,500 USD. Non-member retailers/buyers would also pay a higher rate, which can vary.
  • Early Bird Discounts: The NCA typically offers early bird registration periods, providing substantial savings for those who register well in advance.
  • No One-Day Passes: The Expo generally does not offer one-day passes, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the event.
• For Exhibitors (Suppliers): The cost to exhibit varies considerably based on booth size, location, and whether the company is an NCA member. Exhibit space is sold by the square foot (e.g., $40.50 USD per sq. ft. for NCA members vs. $54.50 USD per sq. ft. for non-members, based on past pricing). This represents a significant investment, but it provides unparalleled access to qualified buyers.

The fees are reflective of the high-quality, specialized content, the sheer volume of product innovation, and the unparalleled networking opportunities that are crucial for career and business growth in this dynamic and essential industry.

The Sweet & Savory Showcase: Key Product Categories

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is a comprehensive showcase of everything edible in the confectionery and snack aisles. Exhibitors present thousands of products across a wide array of categories, reflecting the latest trends and consumer demands:

• Chocolate:
  • Premium & Gourmet Chocolates: Single-origin bars, artisanal truffles, and specialty chocolate confections.
  • Everyday Chocolate: Classic chocolate bars, bite-sized chocolates, and seasonal chocolate offerings.
  • Chocolate Innovations: Unique flavor combinations, inclusions (nuts, fruits, crunchy bits), and new formats.
• Non-Chocolate Candy:
  • Gummy Candies: Innovative shapes, flavors, textures, and functional gummies (e.g., with vitamins).
  • Hard Candies & Lollipops: Classic and novel hard candies, lollipops, and sour candies.
  • Chewy Candies & Caramels: Taffy, caramels, chews, and nostalgic favorites.
  • Novelty/Licensed Candies: Candy tied to popular media, characters, and unique interactive formats.
• Gum & Mints:
  • Chewing Gum: Traditional and sugar-free options, innovative flavors, and functional gums.
  • Mints: Breath mints, peppermint, spearmint, and unique flavor combinations.
• Salty Snacks:
  • Chips & Crisps: Potato chips, tortilla chips, vegetable crisps, and innovative flavor profiles.
  • Pretzels & Crackers: Classic and specialty pretzels, and gourmet crackers.
  • Puffs & Extruded Snacks: Cheese puffs, veggie straws, and other puffed snack innovations.
  • Popcorn: Ready-to-eat popcorn (sweet, savory, gourmet), and microwave popcorn.
• Sweet Snacks:
  • Cookies & Biscuits: Gourmet cookies, artisanal biscuits, and plant-based options.
  • Brownies & Bars: Ready-to-eat brownies, dessert bars, and cereal/granola bars.
  • Sweet Bakery Snacks: Doughnuts, pastries, and other individual portioned sweet baked goods.
  • Sweet & Salty Combinations: Trail mixes, snack mixes, and unique sweet/salty blends.
• Savory Snacks:
  • Meat Snacks: Jerky, meat sticks, and other protein-rich meat-based snacks.
  • Pork Rinds/Chicharrones: Traditional and flavored options.
  • Nut & Seed Snacks: Roasted nuts, seasoned seeds, and nut/seed mixes.
  • Vegetable & Fruit Snacks: Dried fruits, fruit chips, vegetable crisps, and freeze-dried options.
• Baked Goods:
  • Sweet baked goods, often with unique fillings or toppings, suitable for the snack category.
• Ingredients & Components (Supplier Showcase):
  • Flavorings, colors, sweeteners, inclusions (nuts, fruits), functional ingredients (e.g., protein, fiber), and clean-label solutions.
• Packaging & Processing:
  • Innovative packaging materials (sustainable, re-sealable), packaging design, processing equipment for confectionery and snacks, and food safety solutions.
• Merchandising & Business Services:
  • Point-of-sale displays, shelving solutions, market research, sales data, and consulting services specific to the candy and snack industries.

The “Most Innovative New Product Awards” highlight leading products across categories like chocolate, non-chocolate candy, gum & mints, salty snacks, sweet snacks, savory snacks, meat snacks, seasonal, novelty/licensed, and gourmet/premium confections, giving attendees a roadmap to the cutting edge of the industry.

The Power of Connection: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is a powerhouse event that brings together a highly concentrated and influential audience from across the confectionery and snack industries.

• Visitor Count: The Expo consistently attracts a substantial and highly qualified audience. The 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis reported 14,500 attendees, demonstrating its significant pull. This diverse audience includes:
  • Retail Buyers & Category Managers: From major grocery chains, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, drug stores, dollar stores, department stores, club stores, e-commerce platforms, and specialty retailers.
  • Distributors & Brokers: Seeking new brands and products for their portfolios.
  • Manufacturers & Producers: Looking for ingredients, packaging, equipment, and industry insights.
  • Importers/Exporters: Exploring international market opportunities.
  • Foodservice Professionals: Sourcing unique sweet and snack items.
  • Marketing & Merchandising Specialists: Seeking inspiration for promotional campaigns and in-store displays.
  • R&D and Product Development Teams: Discovering new ingredients and technologies. The high concentration of key decision-makers makes this an incredibly efficient event for conducting business.
• Exhibitor Count: The show floor is packed with a vast array of companies, from global leaders to emerging startups. The 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo featured over 1,000 exhibitors, including more than 300 first-time exhibitors. These exhibitors include:
  • Major confectionery and snack brands (e.g., Mars, Hershey, Ferrero, Frito-Lay).
  • Specialty and artisanal producers showcasing unique products.
  • Companies focused on “better-for-you” options, plant-based, and functional snacks.
  • International exhibitors bringing global flavors and trends.
  • Suppliers of ingredients, packaging, processing equipment, and business services. The extensive number and diversity of exhibitors ensure that attendees can find solutions for every aspect of their business, from sourcing new products to optimizing operations.

The Sweet Rewards: Benefits of Attending

Attending the Sweets & Snacks Expo offers a concentrated and invaluable experience for any professional in the confectionery and snack industries, delivering a distinct set of advantages:

• Unparalleled Product Discovery: Gain first access to thousands of new and innovative candy and snack products, including those that have won “Most Innovative New Product Awards.” This is your chance to spot the next big trend before it hits the mainstream.
• Direct Sourcing & Deals: Connect directly with over 1,000 suppliers, from established giants to exciting startups. This allows for direct negotiations, securing exclusive show-only deals, and placing orders on-site, optimizing your inventory and profitability.
• Deep Dive into Consumer Trends: Access exclusive educational sessions and expert presentations on the latest consumer behaviors, market insights, and category trends impacting the sweet and snack industries. Learn what consumers are buying and why.
• Targeted Networking: Build invaluable relationships with peers, industry leaders, retailers, distributors, and suppliers from across the globe. The Expo provides countless opportunities for formal and informal networking, fostering collaborations and partnerships.
• Supplier Showcase for Innovations: Explore the dedicated Supplier Showcase, where you can discover cutting-edge solutions in packaging, ingredients, sustainability, and business services that can revolutionize your operations and product development.
• Merchandising & Retail Solutions: Gain inspiration and actionable strategies for effective in-store merchandising, display solutions, and retail technology that can enhance the shopper experience and drive sales.
• Competitive Intelligence: Understand what your competitors are doing, identify market gaps, and gather intelligence that can inform your own product development and business strategy.
• Professional Development: Benefit from a robust educational program covering topics from supply chain resilience and food safety to marketing strategies and e-commerce best practices, all tailored to the candy and snack sectors.
• Access to Proprietary Data: Attendees often receive complimentary access to valuable industry data and analysis (e.g., from Circana) that helps in strategic decision-making and forecasting.
• Global Perspectives: With attendees and exhibitors from over 85 countries (as seen in 2025), gain a broader understanding of international trends and potential for global expansion.

For any professional committed to staying ahead in the vibrant and competitive world of sweets and snacks, the Expo is not just an event; it’s a strategic investment that offers tangible solutions, powerful connections, and the foresight needed to achieve sustained success and bring delight to consumers.

Your Sweet Dreams: Nearby Hotels for the Sweets & Snacks Expo

When the Sweets & Snacks Expo is held in a major convention city like Indianapolis or Las Vegas, attendees benefit from a wide array of hotel options, ensuring convenience and comfort for various budgets. The Expo organizers typically work with an official housing partner to provide discounted rates.

For the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, the city’s convention district is highly walkable and features several hotels directly connected via skywalks, offering unparalleled convenience:

• Connected by Skywalk to Indiana Convention Center:
  • Indianapolis Marriott Downtown: Directly connected and often a primary hotel for large conventions.
  • JW Marriott Indianapolis: Also connected by skywalk, known for its upscale amenities.
  • Hyatt Regency Indianapolis: Another major hotel directly connected by skywalk.
  • Omni Severin Hotel: A historic hotel connected by skywalk.
  • Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown- Union Station: Unique hotel within the historic Union Station, connected by skywalk.
  • The Westin Indianapolis: Directly connected by skywalk.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown: Also offer skywalk connections.
• Within Very Short Walking Distance (Downtown Indianapolis):
  • Conrad Indianapolis: A luxury option just a few blocks away.
  • Aloft Indianapolis Downtown, Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown, Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown, Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown: Many popular brands are within a 5-10 minute walk.
• Airport and Keystone Crossing Hotels (with Shuttle Service):
  • For those preferring to stay outside the immediate downtown area, there are hotels near the Indianapolis Airport (approx. 7 miles) or in the Keystone Crossing area (approx. 12 miles). The Expo often provides shuttle services from these designated partner hotels to the convention center.

General Booking Advice for Any Sweets & Snacks Expo Location:

• Always Use the Official Housing Partner: The Sweets & Snacks Expo partners with a single official housing provider (e.g., onPeak for recent shows) to manage hotel reservations. It is critically important to book through the official link provided on the Expo website. This guarantees you the negotiated group rates, ensures your reservation is legitimate and protected, and provides support if issues arise. Be highly cautious of any unofficial companies soliciting hotel bookings, as these are often scams.
• Book Well in Advance: Given the massive scale and popularity of the Sweets & Snacks Expo, rooms within the official hotel block, especially the connected or closest options, sell out very quickly. Early booking is highly recommended to secure your preferred accommodation.
• Consider Transportation: Plan your arrival at the airport (e.g., Indianapolis International Airport – IND, or Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport – LAS) and your transportation to your hotel and the convention center. Downtown Indianapolis is very walkable once you’re there, but you might need a taxi, ride-share, or public transit from the airport.

By strategically planning your accommodation, you ensure a comfortable and efficient experience at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, allowing you to focus on the invaluable opportunities for product discovery, business development, and essential networking.

Ready to Taste the Future? Plan Your Visit!

The Sweets & Snacks Expo is more than just an industry event; it’s the annual powerhouse that drives innovation and growth across the entire confectionery and snack landscape. It’s where the latest trends are unveiled, crucial buying decisions are made, and the partnerships vital for a thriving market are strengthened. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and propel your business forward in this exciting and delicious sector.

To learn more about the Sweets & Snacks Expo, including specific dates, venues, registration details, and to plan your essential visit, please go to the official website:

sweetsandsnacks.com