CLEVELAND -- Ten industry leaders will be inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in Tampa, Fla., on October 24, in front of more than 300 family, friends and colleagues, the board of directors of the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) said.
- Eric Atkinson, Atkinson Candy Co.
- Kathy Corcoran, Premier Specialty LLC
- Roni Daniel, Jetro Cash & Carry
- Nick DiRenzo, Thayer Distributing Inc.
- Carol Ghelarducci, First Source LLC
- Jim Greenberg, Union Confectionery Machinery Co.
- Richard Ross, Galerie
- Libby Taylor, National Confectioners Association
- Bryan Shade, Burdette Beckmann Inc.
- Charlie Sigvardsen, Charlie's Chocolate Factory
Two industry pioneers, Henry Heide (1846-1931), the founder of The Henry Heide Candy Co., and Leonard Wurzel (1918-2013), the founder of Calico Cottage Inc., will be inducted posthumously during the ceremony.
The Candy Hall of Fame celebration will take place during the NCSA’s 116th Annual Meeting in Tampa on October 23 to 25. The induction ceremony will be preceded by a gala dinner featuring audio/visual presentations highlighting the honorees’ professional and personal lives.
The event draws hundreds of industry leaders, family members and friends from around the globe for a weekend celebrating the candy category’s brightest performers. The Candy Hall of Fame honors individuals who have given back to the industry during their careers, clearly demonstrating a commitment to furthering the industry and supporting civic activities.
Each year, about 40 nominees are put forward for consideration from across the global industry, including technologists, manufacturers, salespeople, brokers, suppliers and wholesalers.
The NCSA, formed in 1899, founded the Candy Hall of Fame in 1971, and it recognizes lifetime career achievements in the confectionery industry, with induction based on dedication to the overall betterment of the industry.
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