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With more than 16,000 attendees, 1,000 exhibitors and 275,000 square feet of exhibition space expected, the event marks far more than a simple venue change.
Industry leaders are positioning the move from Indianapolis to Las Vegas as a transformational moment for the sector – one that reflects a broader shift toward experiential trade events, accelerated innovation, AI-driven manufacturing, startup disruption and a rapidly evolving global consumer base.
At the same time, the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers are tightening their hold on a resilient market that continues to outperform despite inflationary pressures, supply-chain disruption and changing consumer preferences.
The result is an industry with a notably optimistic outlook for 2026.
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Big Chocolate Tightens Its Grip
Ahead of the Expo, the latest Global Top 100 Candy Companies ranking reinforced the dominance of a small group of multinational confectionery giants.
US-based Mondelēz International retained its position as the world’s largest candy producer by revenue, posting confectionery sales of approximately $38.5 billion.
Close behind was Mars Inc. with $36 billion, followed by Italy’s Ferrero Group at $22.2 billion.
The top five were completed by The Hershey Company and Nestlé, highlighting the continued influence of what many analysts refer to as ‘Big Chocolate.’
Together, these corporations command enormous manufacturing capacity, deeply entrenched global distribution networks and some of the world’s most recognisable consumer brands.
Beyond the top tier, companies including Meiji Co., Lindt & Sprüngli, Haribo, Perfetti Van Melle and Pladis rounded out the global top 10.
According to industry forecasts, the global candy market is now valued at approximately $78.8 billion and is projected to reach $99 billion by 2031, driven by premiumisation, expansion of digital commerce, emerging-market growth, and sustained consumer demand for indulgence.
Las Vegas Becomes the Industry’s New Global Stage
The relocation of the Sweets & Snacks Expo to Las Vegas represents a deliberate repositioning effort by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the event's organisers.
In comments published by trade title Confectionery Production, Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs for the NCA, described the move as a pivotal moment for the exhibition and the broader industry.
“We are going all in. We are in Las Vegas for the first time and it’s a really exciting chapter for us.”
She added: “People know Las Vegas as an incredible trade show destination.”
And perhaps most significantly: “The momentum is there. People are so excited about what this means for the confectionery and snack industries.”
The strategic logic is clear. Las Vegas offers stronger international connectivity, larger-scale event infrastructure and a globally recognised convention ecosystem capable of supporting the Expo’s increasing international ambitions.
For buyers and distributors across Asia-Pacific, Australia, Europe and Latin America, the city’s accessibility is expected to significantly improve attendance and commercial engagement.
The move also aligns with a broader trend reshaping global B2B events: the transition from transactional trade exhibitions to immersive, high-energy industry experiences.
In Las Vegas, organisers are seeking to combine sourcing, networking, entertainment, education and innovation into a single ecosystem.
An Industry Built on ‘Affordable Joy’
Despite continued economic uncertainty, the confectionery sector remains remarkably resilient.
One of the central narratives emerging ahead of the Expo is the idea of confectionery as an affordable emotional indulgence – a small luxury consumers continue to prioritise even during financially challenging periods.
As Schildhaus noted in the Confectionery Production interview: “Consumers are leaving room in their budgets for confectionery products.”
She added: “That’s a little bit of sweetness and a little bit of joy to add to a challenging time.”
This positioning has become increasingly important for major brands navigating inflation, rising cocoa costs and shifting consumer purchasing habits.
Rather than abandoning indulgence altogether, many consumers are trading up to products that offer emotional comfort, nostalgia, and novelty at relatively accessible price points.
That dynamic is helping sustain strong category performance globally.
CAA
The conference theme, "Good Together: Building an Agile Cocoa Future" reflects the collective resolve of the industry to respond to one of the most volatile and complex periods the sector has ever faced — together.
‘Newstalgia’ and the Return of Familiar Flavours
Among the dominant trends expected to shape the Expo floor is what organisers describe as ‘Newstalgia’ — the reinvention of classic confectionery products through modern flavours, formats and sensory experiences.
According to pre-show trend forecasts released by the NCA, iconic brands are increasingly blending nostalgia with innovation to reconnect with consumers seeking familiarity alongside novelty.
This includes:
- Retro-inspired flavours with contemporary twists
- Seasonal and limited-edition launches
- Reimagined packaging
- Hybrid textures and sensory contrasts
- Social-media-driven collectable products
Schildhaus described nostalgia as a continuing core consumer driver: “We’re seeing a continuation of this concept of nostalgia.”
At the same time, brands are intensifying experimentation with flavour and texture combinations.
Among the standout trends expected in Las Vegas:
- Sweet and spicy flavour pairings
- Chewy and crunchy texture combinations
- Layered sensory experiences
- Short-run and limited-time offerings designed to drive urgency and FOMO
As Schildhaus explained: “Sweet and spicy is really popular.”
And: “Chewy and crunchy is one that’s very cool together.”
The trend reflects how confectionery companies are increasingly competing not simply on taste, but on experience, social engagement and novelty cycles.
Startups Take Centre Stage
While multinational corporations dominate revenue rankings, the Expo is also becoming an increasingly important launchpad for emerging brands.
A major feature of the 2026 show will again be the ‘5x5’ startup pitch competition, where confectionery and snack startups present directly to retailers in what organisers describe as a ‘Shark Tank-style’ environment.
Schildhaus emphasised the Expo’s importance as a discovery platform: “There is no better place to showcase new products and new companies than at Sweets and Snacks.”
She added: “The next new hot products are in that room.”
The growing emphasis on startups reflects changing priorities among retailers.
Buyers are increasingly searching for:
- differentiated products,
- disruptive flavour concepts,
- functional ingredients,
- sustainability positioning,
- and digitally native brands capable of generating online engagement.
For emerging companies, the Expo offers rare direct access to large retail decision-makers and distribution networks.
AI Moves Into the Confectionery Mainstream
One of the most notable developments shaping the 2026 industry conversation is the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence across manufacturing, packaging, marketing and supply-chain management.
According to a new report from PMMI, AI adoption is rapidly moving beyond pilot projects into broader operational deployment.
The report, Building an AI Advantage in Packaging Equipment, identifies several key drivers behind the acceleration:
- Falling implementation costs
- Greater accessibility for mid-sized manufacturers
- Increased worker familiarity
- Improved confidence in ROI
- Expanding functionality in predictive maintenance and machine vision
Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development at PMMI, said manufacturers are increasingly recognising AI’s ability to address labour shortages, operational efficiency and production consistency.
Among the fastest-growing applications are:
- machine vision systems,
- predictive maintenance,
- knowledge transfer,
- compliance automation,
- and data transparency systems.
The report also predicts a future in which AI orchestrates entire production environments dynamically across throughput, quality, energy use and cost management.
Importantly, AI is also becoming part of confectionery brand storytelling itself.
In comments referenced by Confectionery Production, Schildhaus highlighted how AI-powered campaign tools are beginning to enter mainstream industry marketing.
“It is AI-powered, which is just showing how we are integrating some new technology into the space.”
The message is significant.
The confectionery industry is increasingly positioning itself not as a legacy manufacturing category, but as a technologically adaptive sector embracing automation, analytics and digital engagement.
More Than a Trade Show
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is being framed as far more than a traditional confectionery exhibition.
The event now spans the full industry ecosystem, including:
- ingredient suppliers,
- packaging firms,
- processing technology providers,
- retailers,
- distributors,
- OEM manufacturers,
- startup incubators,
- and international trade pavilions.
The expanded Supplier Showcase on May 18–19 further reinforces the Expo’s growing importance as a supply-chain and infrastructure platform.
This broader positioning reflects how confectionery companies are increasingly operating within highly interconnected global systems influenced by:
- commodity volatility,
- logistics disruption,
- sustainability pressures,
- regulatory shifts,
- and digital commerce transformation.
The Expo’s educational programming is also expanding, with sessions focused on AI integration, category management, retail strategy, consumer behaviour, and innovation forecasting.
Winning the Aisle
The official 2026 theme – Game Changer: Win the Aisle – captures the increasingly competitive nature of confectionery and snack retailing.
For brands, shelf space is no longer won solely through scale.
Success now depends on:
- speed to market,
- trend responsiveness,
- experiential branding,
- packaging impact,
- and the ability to create emotional connections with consumers.
That competitive intensity is likely to define the atmosphere in Las Vegas.
As the global confectionery market approaches the $100 billion mark, Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 is shaping up as both a celebration of industry resilience and a preview of its next phase.
The world’s largest manufacturers may still dominate the revenue charts, but the future of confectionery will increasingly be shaped by innovation, technology, agility and the ability to turn small indulgences into powerful consumer experiences.
And for three days in May, the global industry’s attention will be fixed firmly on Las Vegas.
Need to Know
- Sweets & Snacks Expo | Las Vegas Convention Center | May 19–21, 2026 Supplier Showcase: May 18–19
- Heading to the Expo? Get in touch with the editor, Anthony Myers. Email: tony.myers@cocoaradar.com
