The National Confectioners Association today announced the five confectionery industry professionals selected for the 2021 Future Leadership Program, which is dedicated to helping young professionals across the confectionery industry access networking and professional development opportunities to grow their careers.
Industry News
Making Room for Creativity This Winter Holiday Season
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic will change how we celebrate the winter holidays, with many Americans opting to hold smaller celebrations or participate in safer, socially-distanced winter holiday traditions to celebrate the season.
However, that doesn’t mean that winter holiday celebrations are off the table.
Safe and Sensational Seasonal Celebrations
In a recent survey, 85% of Americans said they believe people will find safe and creative ways to celebrate the winter holidays in 2020. If your traditional holiday plans will be different this year, there are still plenty of ways to make your seasonal celebrations a real treat for the whole family. As always, keep in mind guidance from the CDC and your local public health authorities.
Stay on top of
Industry News
Follow the trends, products & people of our industry
Candy & Snack Today delivers the latest confectionery industry news online and via a bi-monthly print magazine.
Get Daily Industry Updates Straight to Your Inbox
A daily digest of all things candy and snacks, the NCA SmartBrief email newsletter provides a daily roundup of industry happenings.
Featured Candy & Snack Today Article
Sweets & Snacks Expo Moving To Indianapolis For 2021 Show
The 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo will be held at the Indiana Convention Center In Indianapolis from June 22 to 25, according to NCA. The move from Chicago’s McCormick Place was the result of “careful consideration and close examination of all options given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and regional differences across the country when it comes to public events,” the Association reports.
Read more in:
Read more in Candy & Snack Today
Chocolate & Candy Play Key Role in Safe & Creative Winter Holiday Celebrations
In this unusual year, people are seeking consistency and normalcy while celebrating the winter holidays even as they adopt COVID-19 safety precautions. 85% of Americans tell the National Confectioners Association that they are confident they will find creative and safe ways to celebrate the 2020 winter holidays and that they expect chocolate and candy to add some enjoyment to the holiday.
NCA Releases Third COVID-19 Report Examining Seasonal Confectionery Trends
The National Confectioners Association announced today that the third report in its three-part series on COVID-19 confectionery shopping trends is now available. The report, titled Seasonal Confectionery Purchase Decisions: 2020, explores seasonal confectionery trends during the COVID-19 pandemic and rounds out the groundbreaking research series, which launched in October.
NCA Welcomes New CFO, Membership & Meetings VP
The National Confectioners Association today announced two new staff members: Steve McCroddan joins as chief financial officer, and Kyle Jordan joins as vice president of membership & meetings.
“We’re thrilled to have Steve and Kyle on the NCA team as we work to achieve our new mission, bold vision and dynamic set of strategic objectives,” said NCA President & CEO John Downs.
NCA Releases Groundbreaking New Data on COVID-19 Confectionery Shopper Behavior and Sales
The National Confectioners Association has released the second report in its three-part insights-driven series that explores the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and seasonal and everyday confectionery sales. The second report, titled “Confectionery Sales Amid COVID-19: 2020” focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new buying behaviors that have emerged as a result.
What’s The Deal With Halloween This Year?
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen some debate in the policy arena and with public health departments over the status of this year’s Halloween season — will Americans be allowed to celebrate or is Halloween canceled?
Except, it’s not really much of a debate about “if” Halloween is going to happen as much as it is a conversation about “how” people will celebrate the season safely.
66% Admit To Stealing From Their Halloween Candy Stash
Do you open the bag of mini Halloween treats as soon as you get it home from the store? About two-thirds (66%) of people admit to enjoying a few pieces of Halloween chocolate and candy before handing the treats out to trick-or-treaters or using them for other Halloween activities, according to a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the National Confectioners Association.
Public Health Experts Agree: Halloween Is Happening
Public health experts, community leaders, mayors and governors from across the country have joined a growing wave of approval and support for a safe and creative Halloween 2020 that includes Martha Stewart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Whoopi Goldberg. Newspaper editorial boards, government officials, media personalities, parents, and public figures say that we can prioritize safety and still enjoy this fall with all types of Halloween celebrations.
Top 5 Ideas for a Safe (and Sweet!) Halloween
If you are among the 96% of parents who plan to celebrate Halloween this year or the two-thirds of Americans who plan on trick-or-treating with appropriate safety measures, you’ll want to check out this list of the top five ways to celebrate Halloween 2020 with chocolate and candy. Just don’t forget to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene and follow the guidance issued for your community by the CDC and your local public health departments.
Contact the Media Relations Team
Christopher Gindlesperger
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications
Lauren O’Toole Boland
Director of Communications
Carly Schildhaus
Manager of Public Affairs
