Washington, D.C. – This week the National Confectioners Association announced that it is now accepting submissions for its prestigious Most Innovative New Product Awards to be presented at the Sweets & Snacks Expo. Spanning nine different segments, the awards showcase the most innovative ideas, concepts and products in the candy and snack categories.
Last year, the Most Innovative New Product Awards program received a record number of submissions, as more than 300 products were brought before the panel of judges. The panel’s buying power alone accounts for nearly 85 percent of candy and snack buying sales in the U.S.
“With our judging panel consisting of leading retailers, wholesalers, trade media and food industry experts, the Most Innovative New Product Awards continue to serve as an evaluation tool for new products hitting store shelves,” commented Barry Rosenbaum, Expo chair and president of Nassau Candy Distributors. “Receiving an award has become such a high honor in the candy and snack categories, I strongly encourage any brand introducing a new product to apply.”
Returning for 2018 is the Small Business Innovator award. Specifically designed to highlight companies with net sales of $500,000 and under, the award provides burgeoning companies with an opportunity to be recognized along with well-established brands.
The deadline to submit for the Most Innovative New Product Awards is on April 17. More information about the awards program can be seen on the Sweets & Snacks Expo website.
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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA)
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these special treats. As the leading association for the $35 billion U.S. confectionery industry, NCA educates the public to help ensure that it understands and appreciates the unique role that chocolate and candy can play in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Confections are produced in all 50 states, creating jobs for approximately 55,000 workers in more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities across the country. More than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries rely in part on the sale of confections for their livelihood. For every one job that is created by confectionery companies, another seven are supported in related industries. Learn more about the “Power of Sweet” atCandyUSA.com, or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Sweets & Snacks Expo
Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, the Sweets & Snacks Expo is the confectionery and snack industry’s most successful, world-class event. It is unrivaled in new product launches, business building solutions and innovations in merchandising. 18,000 qualified professionals attend with global presence from 90 countries. More than 850 companies displaying more than 4 acres of candy and snack products participate in the Expo. The event is held each May at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Source: National Confectioners Association (NCA)