Record-breaking exhibitor turnout at ISM 2008: 1,675 suppliers from 70 countries

The International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) is being held for the 38th time in Cologne, and the fair features a record-breaking number of exhibitors - 1,675 suppliers from 70 countries. With 81 per cent of the exhibitors coming from abroad, ISM is the most important marketplace in the world for confectionery and snack items. On all four days of the trade fair (27th to 30th January 2008), ISM is open exclusively to trade visitors from the wholesale and retail trades. New products and trends traditionally play an important role at the fair. In addition, the "Organic Avenue" makes it possible for the first time to concentrate organically produced and processed confectionery and snack items at ISM. The supporting programme also addresses the topic of organic products in the form of an experts' panel discussion and a special show.

ISM presents a comprehensive and diverse range of confectionery and snack items the likes of which can be see nowhere else in the world. The trade fair presents a nearly complete overview of the following product groups: chocolate, sugar confectionery, fine baked goods, snack products, ice cream and raw pastes. Only end-products intended exclusively for retail sale are presented.

The largest foreign contingents at this year's fair are coming from Belgium (153 companies), Italy (147), France (100), Spain (94), the Netherlands (93), the UK (71), and China (71). In addition, suppliers from Poland, Turkey and the USA are using ISM intensively as a trading platform for confectionery and snack items.

A total of 54 suppliers are taking part on "Organic Avenue". These companies are organic specialists and companies that offer organic products in addition to their conventional products. "Organic Avenue" is located in Hall 11.2.

The supporting programme features a special show titled "sweet paradise" which presents creative concepts and designs by students at the Cologne International School of Design (KISD). The focus of the students' work is the image of organic confectionery products. Located in Passage 4/5, this trail of great ideas is supported by Koelnmesse and directed by Prof. Jenz Großhans.

On 29th January 2008, experts will address the topic "Organic products on supermarket shelves" during a panel discussion hosted by Bernward Geier, former director of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). In addition to Dr. Uwe Lebens, Deputy Chairman of the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), the panel participants will include Alfred T. Ritter, CEO of Alfred Ritter GmbH; Hans P. Vriens, Chief Innovation Officer at Barry Callebaut AG; and Georg Rösner of Georg Rösner Vertriebs GmbH.

A brief analysis of market data will be presented beforehand, giving the panel participants even more information for a productive discussion.

Also on Tuesday, 29th January, Horst Seehofer, the Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMELV), will be touring the fair to gain an overview of the sector's strong performance and innovative power.

ISM will occupy 110,000 m² of exhibition space in Halls 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11 at Koelnmesse.

A total of 35,957 buyers from 152 countries used the last event in January 2007 to gather information, establish direct contacts and place orders, as in previous years. Nearly 60 per cent of the visitors came from abroad.

ISM is open only to specialist buyers from the wholesale and retail trades. Proof of trade visitor status is required when purchasing admission tickets.
Buyers from the following areas of the retail and wholesale trades are permitted to attend the fair:
- Confectionery, food and drinks wholesale trade
- Importers and purchasing associations
- Retail chains and their regional branches
- Job lot discount stores
- Purchasing offices of oil companies and filling station chains
- Consumer markets
- Cash+carry companies
- Bakery supplies wholesale trade
- Health food wholesale trade
- Drugstore chains
- Self-service stores, department stores
- Specialist confectionery outlets: chains
- Patisseries/cafés/bakeries: chains

The trade fair is open from Sunday, 27th January to Wednesday, 30th January 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The organisers of ISM are Koelnmesse and the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair Working Group (AISM), which is the conceptual sponsor.

Information on ISM:
www.ism-cologne.de (www.ism-cologne.com)

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