Good reasons

The best reasons for attending ISM

Regardless of whether you are an exhibitor or visitor – there is no way around ISM. For many good reasons:

Industry meeting point

Every year the international sweets and snacks sector meets up in Cologne. High-carat exhibitors, informative seminars, workshops and the ISM networking render ISM indispensable for professionals of the sweets and snacks business.

Compact overview

At ISM, you find the global offer of sweets and snacks and the whole spectrum of manufacturers: from start-ups to world market leaders, exhibitors from A for Armenia to V for Venezuela, enterprises from the Cologne neighbourhood as well as from places as distant as Australia. More than 1,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries and all continents are expected to participate in ISM 2025.

Trade Fair

ISM is reserved for specialised traders from the sweets and food retail and wholesale to interact with suppliers of ready for sale sweets and snacks, here. The trade fair character ensures a professional working atmosphere.

High quality contact persons on-site

At ISM, you meet your direct contact persons in one place. ISM is a management matter: Only here, you can meet sales and export managers as well as the owner or managing director.

Special Areas

New exhibitors and start-ups are being presented in especially marked special areas. A thematic focus characterises the Trend Snacks Area, where fruit and vegetable snacks, jerky, vegan specialities, bars and alternative proteins stand in the limelight.

The small volume sweets and snacks business has its centre in the „Finest Creations – hand-crafted“ specialised retail trade section.

Private Label

Nearly one third of all exhibiting companies register for the “Private Label” trend theme. ISM thus stands for the largest private label offer in the sweets and snacks section.

Trendsetter and source of ideas

ISM is a trendsetter and source of ideas for the sweets and snacks industry. This is the only place you can comprehensively inform yourself about all the trends, market action and your competitors' activities.

Presentation of new products

The New Product Showcase provides the trade with a compact presentation of new products, which have been developed or launched after the previous ISM edition. Here, you are the first to discover trend products and innovations of the new year.

International appeal

Around 400 journalists and creators from more than 20 countries take part in ISM and reach almost 9,000,000 people worldwide via the trade press. In addition, there are around 2,000 contributions on the Internet, TV and radio with a reach of 390 million people.

High satisfaction among the visitors

94% of our visitors would recommend a visit of ISM; 82% are (very) satisfied with their visit.

Supply, industry and trade in one place

Only in Cologne, you will find the different actors of the complete sweets and snacks value chain united at ISM and its supplier fair ProSweets Cologne in one place. Both trade fairs can be visited with just one ticket.