Press Release

MORE THAN 1,500 EXHIBITORS FROM 70 COUNTRIES: THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR ISM 2025

Strong global interest and the return of well-known brands +++ More synergies with ProSweets Cologne in the scope of the Sweet Week +++ Innovation platform for early product presentation +++ Ticket shop is open immediately

The preparations for ISM 2025, the leading trade fair of the sweets and snacks industry, are already in full swing. With over 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries, the trade fair will once again be the international stage for the innovations and trends of the sweets and snacks industry from 2 to 5 February 2025 in Cologne. ISM is co-located with the supplier trade fair ProSweets Cologne in the scope of the Sweet Week and brings supply and demand together in a targeted manner.

Strong global interest and the return of well-known brands
The current number of applications comprising of renowned national and international companies shows impressive diversity. German brands are presenting their latest products, whilst international stars will exhibit their innovations. Some exhibitors are returning to the trade fair after several years of absence.

More synergies with ProSweets Cologne in the scope of the Sweet Week
The exhibitors and trade visitors will benefit from the co-located ProSweets Cologne, the international supplier fair of the sweets and snacks industry, again next year. Organising the two trade fairs simultaneously in the scope of the Sweet Week creates unique synergies, offers practical solutions for current challenges and promotes the exchange within the industry. The close interlinking between ISM and ProSweets Cologne creates a platform for production managers, research and development as well as packaging and ingredients experts that goes far beyond a pure trade fair visit and lends suppliers and manufacturers the opportunity to shape the future of the sweets and snacks production. This is further enhanced by high-quality contents like those for example presented on the jointly organised stages, the Expert Stage on the Boulevard and the Sweet Week – Talks & Tasting Stage in Hall 10.1.

Furthermore, a special highlight is the Sweets & Snacks Production Summit that is being organised for the first time and which brings production managers, CEOs and owners of the production companies exhibiting at ISM together with the supplier industry (exhibitors of ProSweets Cologne) in a targeted manner. Among others, first-class examples of best practice on the implementation of AI tools for a cost-efficient and future-proof production will be showcased here. Three-minute pitch sessions of the supplier industry by ProSweets Cologne exhibitors will additionally be held here followed by a matchmaking forum in the Networking Area to promote concrete solutions and business relations.

“Both trade fairs, ISM and ProSweets Cologne, have developed into leading content platforms for the sweets and snacks industry and in times of rapid market changes offer in-depth insights into trends and progress such as sustainable packaging solutions and innovative flavours. The synergy with ProSweets Cologne allows a comprehensive overview of the entire value chain and turns the Sweet Week into the ideal platform for innovations and business opportunities,” commented Sabine Schommer, Director ISM.

Innovation platform for early product presentation
As an innovation exhibition of the global sweets and snacks industry, ISM offers its exhibitors the exclusive opportunity to present their latest products, trailblazing trends and creative innovations in the run-up to the trade fair already and generate attention within the industry. The New Products Tool is at the disposal of the exhibitors with immediate effect: ISM New Products Presentation 2025 (ism-cologne.de).

Ticket shop is open with immediate effect
The ticket sales for ISM 2025 have begun. Visitors from all over the globe are awaited. Trade visitors can purchase their ticket for the coming event immediately via the ticket shop, prepare their visit to the trade fair at an early stage, remain up-to-date via the ISM app and plan their accommodation in Cologne in due time: Buy tickets | ISM (ism-cologne.com)

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Press Release

ISM REPORTS GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF EXHIBITORS AND EXHIBITION SPACE FOR 2025 AFTER THE EARLY BIRD PHASE

85% of previous year’s space already booked

The leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks, ISM, has announced a positive development after the early bird phase: 85% of the overall space of ISM 2024 has already been booked again by exhibitors from over 60 countries. Compared to the number of applications received by the end of the early bird phase of ISM 2024, Koelnmesse is registering an eight percent increase. As the leading trade fair, ISM will once again this year offer a platform for innovations, networking as well as numerous entertainment offers and business opportunities for the sweets and snacks industry. As usual, the coming ISM is being co-located with the supplier fair ProSweets Cologne in Cologne from 2 to 5 February 2025.

“We are delighted to have recorded seven percent more exhibitors and an eight percent increase in space compared to ISM 2024. That is remarkable, especially since the early bird phase didn’t end until 31.05.2023 last year – but it also underlines the significance of ISM as the indispensable highlight of the annual event calendar of the sweets and snacks industry,” stressed Sabine Schommer, ISM Director.

“For our exhibitors, participating in the trade fair means more than just booking stand area. They profit from unprecedented visibility with the industry, the access to buyers of global importance as well as a comprehensive presence in the national and international media. Beyond this, we enable first-class networking within the industry as well as with the exhibitors of ProSweets, the experts for the production of sweets and packaging technology, ingredients and packaging material,” explained Bastian Mingers, Vice President Trade Fair Management Food at Koelnmesse GmbH.

Highlights of ISM 2025

In Lab5 by ISM young, innovative companies will once again be presenting their products and trend snacks in the Start-up Area, the specialised dealer section presents its offer of specialities for the small-volume business with sweets and snacks and the special event for innovations, the “New Product Showcase”, is the stage for the new products of the exhibiting companies. ISM unites companies from all over the globe across the digital channels under the hashtag #ISMfamily

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