2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo to Bolster Educational Sessions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Snack experts from IRI Worldwide, Geometry Global and The Integer Group will deliver presentations on the current state of snacking and what trends are shaping the future at this year’s Sweet & Snacks Expo.

The snack-focused sessions will take place at the trade show’s new Discovery Theater, located in Skyline Hall.

“In addition to the business done on the show floor, we want to provide expo attendees with the latest insights they can use to make informed business decisions,” said Barry Rosenbaum, expo chairman and president of Nassau Candy Distributors Inc. “With snacking clearly on the rise, we feel strongly that these category thought leaders will provide attendees with a unique learning experience.”

Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice president & practice leader of client insights at IRI, will present on the state of the snack industry and provide the latest research on segment growth and opportunity development. She has more than 25 years of industry experience.

Geometry Global’s Director of Multicultural John V. Burn will examine how shifting demographics will impact shopping behavior over the next five years and specifically its impact on the snack category. Burn’s experience on multi-cultural snacking includes serving as managing director Brazil for SAB Miller in Latin America and general manager for Travel Retail of Diageo.

Integer’s Craig Elston, executive vice president of insight & strategy, will provide attendees with insights on how the growth of online purchasing can be an opportunity for the candy and snack industry. Elston has spent a majority of his career in integrated strategy roles.

For the first time, the event will feature two educational theaters directly on the show floor. The Sweet Insights Theater will again be located inside the West Hall, while the Discover Theater will debut in Skyline Hall with educational tracks specializing in snacking and specialty trends. The full education schedule is available here.

The annual Sweets & Snacks Expo is presented at Chicago’s McCormick Place by the National Confectioners Association, the trade organization representing the $35-billion U.S. confections industry.