CEO DATELINE - Candy group moves 2021 trade show from Chicago to Indianapolis
CEO DATELINE - Candy group moves 2021 trade show from Chicago to Indianapolis
- October 28, 2020 |
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LORI SHARN BRYANT
The National Confectioners Association will hold its annual Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis next June, moving the show from Chicago for the first time.
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Chris Gindlesperger, NCA senior vice president of public affairs and communications, said it was a difficult decision to move the expo from its home of more than 20 years. Illinois remains under coronavirus-related restrictions that prohibit trade shows at this time, he said, and NCA needed to start planning and marketing for its 2021 event.
"We value the relationship we have with the city of Chicago and we look forward to returning to McCormick Place in 2022," Gindlesperger said in an email to CEO Update.
In addition to the new city, the Sweets & Snacks Expo will be held about a month later than originally planned. The dates are now June 22-25. About 15,000 people attended the 2019 expo in Chicago, which featured more than 800 exhibitors, including more than 200 first-time exhibitors. Sales and registration for the 2021 show will open in January.
"After much discussion with our stakeholders in the candy and snack industries and careful consideration of our options, we've seen strong support for an in-person event," NCA CEO John Downs said in a news statement. "We want to balance the safety and welfare of our attendees with their desire to conduct in-person business and therefore have decided to move forward with a show that exceeds expectations and makes every effort to keep our attendees safe."
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