66 • July | August 2026 • abasto.com 1,000 Exhibitors, One Roof The show floor brought the entire con- fectionery ecosystem together under one roof. Manufacturers, buyers, suppliers, and distributors converged to share ideas and discover new products. In an interview with Abasto Media on the exhibition floor of the Sweets and Snacks show, Carly Schildhaus, Senior Di- rector of Public Affairs and Communica- tions for the NCA, described the experien- ce as exceptional. “Hundreds of thousands of types of pro- ducts” filled the aisles, Schildhaus noted. Classic favorites sat alongside cutting-ed- ge innovations. International brands and Latino companies also seized the platform to expand their U.S. market reach. Bold, adventurous flavor profiles do- minated the show floor. Sweet-and-spicy combinations drew heavy attention from attendees. Crunchy-and-chewy texture pairings also emerged as a standout trend. Brands clearly aimed to meet Gen Z and millennial consumers where their tastes lead them. Meanwhile, Gindlesperger highlighted education as a key differentiator for the show. Innovation, networking, and lear- ning all converge in one place, he said, and that combination proves difficult to repli- cate anywhere else. Vegas Energy, Indy Roots The NCA operates on a three-year rota- tion cycle. The show returns to Indianapo- lis in 2027 and 2028 before heading back to Las Vegas in 2029. The structure gives the Expo flexibility to grow while hono- ring its Midwest roots. Schildhaus confirmed the model reflects the show’s strategy to keep expanding its global reach and attendee base each cycle. The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 proved that the candy industry thrives on bold moves, on the show floor and off it. EN LOS PASILLOS DE LA EXPO 10. Liliana Rosales, Samuel Senda, Iván Bugarín, Giovany Hernández, Chomis Gomis 11. Marco Andrés Pacheco, Guillermo Montiel, Arco. 12. Grupo Prisma 13. Robert Rodríguez, Dulce Cortina, Elio González, Mexsnax. 14. Colorido del piso de la expo. 15. Ubaldo De La Torre, Fernando Hernández, CBI International 16. León Couturier, El Super Leon. 17. Luis Alejandro Sandoval, Eduardo Nava, Jared Urbaneja, Norjal. 18. Dulces Haribo. 19.Lidia Pineda, Piher Group. 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 16 18 19 • TRADE SHOWS • Continuation of page 64