I’m back from ISM, in Cologne (Germany), where I had the chance to meet again many friends and colleagues from this exciting chewing gum world. During next days I will be posting about a few things that I found there. I must say (and I think ti is not the first time that I mention this) that I have the feeling that the fair become smaller and smaller. Some companies that used to exhibit there are not coming anymore. Now I met some of the representatives of those companies coming only as visitors. I am convinced that ISM is still a very valuable meeting point and I see many booths that are always busy receiving guests, but it is clear that some companies, when evaluate the pros and cons of setting up a stand and exhibit their products, seem to decide for coming to the show to see the novelties and they arrenge the meetings with their customers or suppliers in different areas of the Fair, instead of the expense of exhibiting there with their own booth.
I must say as well, that novelties in gum products are very limited and maybe the most important news on the sector are not related to a specific product but to a recent take-over. But I will write about this another day…
ProSweets, however, is a Fair that seems to become stronger. Compared to the first years of this Fair for the confectionery industry suppliers (mainly machinery, but also ingredients and packaging materials) that runs parallel to ISM, I see more and more exhibitors and visitors. I do not know if it will reach the importance of Interpack, which still is the #1 fair for the machinery suppliers, but for sure this is an exhibition to be taken into account.
Chewing Gum Consultant 