ISM 2020 in Köln

ISM is the world's leading trade fair for sweets and snacks. It takes place annually in Cologne and offers in a worldwide unique constellation innovations and impulses as well as the perfect environment for excellent networking. The first event took place in 1971. The big world market leaders as well as small and medium-sized companies and start-ups can be found in the exhibitor profile of ISM. As the trade fair is only open to trade visitors, it is characterised by a pronounced professional character. When buying tickets, a trade visitor qualification must be presented - this way exhibitors benefit from a unique and business oriented audience. This makes ISM the most important information and order platform for the snacks and sweets industry.

More than 38,000 trade visitors from 145 countries came to ISM 2019 to be inspired by numerous products and innovations from over 1,650 exhibitors from 76 countries on an exhibition and event area of 120,000 m². The high proportion of international exhibitors of 87% shows that the ISM is the linchpin of the industry. Of the top 20 international food retailers, 18 were present. More and more e-commerce companies are also taking part in the trade fair. Some of the major brands in the industry were present: Amazon, Aldi, Carrefour, Edeka, El Corte Inglés, Kaufland, Metro, Tesco and Walmart. In 2020, the ISM will celebrate its 50th anniversary! As a trade fair duo together with ProSweets Cologne - the international supplier trade fair for the snacks and sweets sector - ISM represents the entire industrial value chain of the industry. The product areas of the fair for 2020 are:

• Chocolate and chocolate products
• Sugar confectionery
• Biscuits
• Trend Snacks
• Natural Sweets
• Breakfast Snacks
• Ice cream, deep-frozen confectionery
• Brekfast Snacks
• Associations, publishers

At ISM 2019 there were various events in the supporting programme apart from the actual trade fair. For example "New Product Showcase" - here in 130 display cabinets more than 200 products were presented, which were developed after the last ISM. The "ISM Award" was also presented for the sixth time. Trends, innovations and current topics were discussed at the Trend Court@ISM. There were also various workshops, lectures, a gala evening and special areas.