CHICAGO -- The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is offering buyers who take advantage of "early bird" registration for this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo the chance to win an iPad.
The 2012 early bird registration rate of $50 is available through March 30, after which the registration fee increases to $100.
The event is being held May 8-10, 2012, at McCormick Place in Chicago. It is the largest confectionery, cookie and snack trade show in North America, with more than 550 exhibitors from countries all over the world.
It features a New Product Showcase, as well as a "gourmet marketplace" featuring the newest premium, organic and natural products along with tasting and demonstration areas.
The 'Buyers Choice' Awards have been rebranded this year as the Most Innovative New Product Awards. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on site for the winners in eight categories that will be judged by a select panel pre-show.
Four years ago the All Candy Expo officially rebranded itself as the Sweets & Snacks Expo and welcomed snack companies to exhibit. In that time, snack company's participation at the event has grown, the association said. The most substantial growth was seen from 2010 to 2011 when there was a 16% increase in the number of companies featuring snack products exhibited at the expo.
Attendees are buyers, merchandisers, operations managers and store owners from all classes of trade including supermarkets, drug stores, vending, convenience stores, wholesalers, warehouse clubs, theaters, mass and dollar merchants, specialty and department stores. Importers, exporters, suppliers, distributors, brokers and media.
NCA is the major association representing the entire confection industry, offering education and leadership in manufacturing, technical research, public relations, retailing practices, government relations and statistical analyses.
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