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Gama spoke to Sabine Schommer, Director, ahead of the latest edition of ISM.
What are your expectations for ISM 2025?
We’re incredibly excited about the upcoming ISM! With 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries, it’s set to be an amazing showcase of innovation and creativity in the confectionery and snack industries. What really sets this year apart is the strengthened partnership with ProSweets Cologne through Sweet Week, which allows us to bring together and represent the entire value chain of the industry under one roof.
We’re also taking the trade fair experience to a whole new level with an incredible line-up of events and content. The Expert Stage and the Sweet Week – Talks & Tasting Stage will dive into the most important topics shaping the future of our industry, like digitalisation, AI, sustainability, and so much more. These sessions are not just about learning—they’re about inspiring action and sparking ideas.
I’m especially excited about Lab5 by ISM, which is our dedicated innovation hub. It’s where the cutting edge of the industry comes to life, with start-ups, scale-ups, finest creations and established companies showcasing their latest products and trends in our special show area “New Product Showcase “. Whether it’s on-trend snacks, innovative confectionery, or completely new concepts, this is the place to be for anyone looking for fresh ideas.
Last but not least, I am very much looking forward to the innovative products that the start-ups and scale-ups will present to us in the form of short pitches.
Read this Tradeshow Look Ahead in the next issue of Gama News.
This year, you are strengthening the connections between ISM and its sister show ProSweets Cologne, in particular through the Sweet Week Production Summit. What benefits do you envisage this will provide for visitors?
The two trade fairs have always been held in parallel because they complement each other: the supplier industry meets the manufacturers. By implementing “Sweet Week” as a roof for our joint communication, the benefits of this unique trade fair combination for exhibitors and visitors are emphasised and the trade fair experience is taken to a new level. It’s not just about seeing products; it’s about understanding how they’re made, from raw materials to final packaging.
One of the highlights is the Sweet Week Production Summit – you name it – where exhibitors and visitors from both shows come together. This is where networking really shines — it’s all about fostering connections, initiating collaborations, and creating lasting business relationships. Targeted matchmaking is at the heart of this format, and we know that’s what drives value for everyone involved.
Another key benefit is the focus on industry-relevant challenges. This makes us the content and event platform for the industry: together, ISM and ProSweets Cologne tackle pressing issues like Sustainability and Climate Adaptation, AI in Sweets and Snacks and consumer attitudes towards healthy snacking. Addressing these topics head-on, we’re not just reacting to trends—we’re helping to shape the future of the industry. This partnership is all about driving innovation and delivering tangible benefits for our exhibitors and visitors alike.
What trends do you expect to impact the confectionery, bakery, and snacks sectors in 2025?
We are seeing a shift in trends. First and foremost, sustainability is here to stay. Consumers are becoming much more conscious of their choices, so local sourcing, pure ingredients and reducing carbon footprint are going to be big priorities. Further, consumers are looking for products that are not only packaged sustainably but also made with eco-friendly, plant-based ingredients.
Another major trend is transparency. People want to know exactly where their food comes from and how it’s produced. It’s about trust, and brands that can tell a compelling, honest story will stand out.
Health is another ongoing trend: whether it’s high protein options such as bars with less sugar, salt and fat or nutrient-rich mini-meals that are quick and convenient. The idea that snacks can also offer added health benefits or replace a meal is well received by today’s on-the-go consumers.
Of course, digitalisation and AI are transforming the way we do business. For example, we are looking forward to a speech on the Expert Stage on the topic of ‘AI in Sweets & Snacks – Bytes to Bites’. Artificial intelligence is playing a role in trend research, new product development, combating food waste, streamling production processes and more. AI is becoming an indispensable tool. It’s not just about efficiency, but about creating smarter, more sustainable solutions in all areas.
And then there are the fun, imaginative trends—like the buzz around “Dubai chocolate”. It’s these bold innovations that keep the industry fresh and exciting.
In short, the next few years will be all about blending tradition with innovation, addressing consumer demands, and making the industry more sustainable and future-ready. It’s an inspiring time to be part of this space!
About ISM
As an annual event, ISM attracts professionals from all over the world and offers a platform that allows companies to present their latest products, innovations and trends. From renowned Chief Operating Officers through to creative Marketing Managers, the opinions within the industry are unanimous: The International Sweets and Biscuits Fair in Cologne is THE meeting point for the global sweets and snacks industry.
