CHICAGO — The National Confectioners Association and its board have made the “difficult business decision” to cancel the Sweets & Snacks Expo due to COVID-19 concerns.
The annual show, which was set for May 18-21 in Chicago at McCormick Place, typically features more than 850 exhibitors and 15,000 industry professionals. It is the largest show in North America representing the confectionery and snacks industries, according to the event’s website. Next year’s show is set for May 24-27, 2021.
“We are extremely disappointed not to be able to offer the experience, inspiration, insights and connections so many in our community have come to rely on in association with the event, but the health and welfare of our community is our top priority,” National Confectioners Association President and CEO John Downs Jr. said. “This has been a difficult business decision for our board of trustees and the team at the National Confectioners Association, and it is not the outcome any of us wanted.”
The cancellation was unavoidable and the only way to protect the well-being of the community, Downs said, due to factors including state and local stay-at-home orders, travel bans and restrictions on mass gatherings necessitated by the coronavirus outbreak.
NCA’s Sweet Insights Unwrapped distance learning series will still take place June through August, and the organization is looking for ways to enhance those insights further. More information will be available soon, the group said.
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