With the introduction of The Candy Bar lounge, confectionery professionals at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 (Sept. 26-28; Las Vegas Convention Center) have a new opportunity for targeted networking and access to resources within their market niche.

Charles Yuska, president and CEO of PACK EXPO owner and producer PMMI, says, "The Candy Bar lounge is a gathering place for confectionery professionals and another example of our customer-centric approach to PACK EXPO Las Vegas. It's a place where they can network, talk to industry authorities and sit down for a moment."

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has endorsed The Candy Bar, which joins The Baking and Snack Break (endorsed by the Snack Food Association) and The Rx Lounge in the show's lineup of industry-dedicated destinations for attendees and suppliers in those sectors. NCA is also sponsoring the Confectionery Pavilion, a hub for exhibitors serving the confectionery market.

Features at The Candy Bar will include an "Ask the Expert" resource center, where attendees can discuss specific manufacturing challenges with leading authorities, and the Innovation Stage program, a series of live, 30-minute seminars focusing on confectionery packaging and processing technologies. Seminars are scheduled to start at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm on Sept. 26 and 27. 

Confectionery manufacturers and suppliers are also invited to a special networking reception hosted by PMMI and NCA in The Candy Bar lounge on Mon., Sept. 26, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

"In 2011, the global confectionery industry is estimated to exceed $170 billion," says Yuska. "It is important that we provide resources that focus on this important market segment and make it easy for confectionery brands to maximize their time at PACK EXPO Las Vegas."

To help confectionery attendees prepare for PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, an interactive, connected online community will be available at packexpo.com with news and information about industry trends. During the show, the community will feature live blogs from industry experts with observations right from the exhibit floor. The connected community will remain active after the show ends, allowing manufacturers and exhibitors to stay in touch year-round. While online, visitors can also schedule appointments and build relationships with exhibitors that will be at PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

"Between packaging, which is our members' interface with the consumer, and the processing solutions that make our members' products possible, PACK EXPO is a phenomenal resource for the confectionery industry, plus cross-over industries," says NCA supplier member Ross Bainbridge of Bainbridge Associates. "The Confectionery Pavilion and The Candy Bar will connect our supplier members with their customers."

You'll find The Candy Bar lounge in Booth S-7000, within the Confectionery Pavilion in the Upper South Hall. Totaling more than 12,000 square feet, this special area of PACK EXPO will be a hub for technologies that help confectionery brands achieve faster cleaning times, higher productivity and greater energy efficiency.

Other PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 features that will be of interest to confectionery manufacturers include The Processing Zone, The Brand Zone, the Reusable Packaging Pavilion and The Food Safety Summit Resource Center.

For more information about PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011 or to register, visit www.packexpo.com or contact PMMI's Show Department at 703-243-8555 or e[email protected].

Source: PMMI

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