http://www.germansweets.de/gs-en/gs-news-en/gs-news-archiv-en/gs-pm-eng-2010-0000001.html

18.02.2010

ISM 2010

Positive Outcome of the ISM 2010 for German Exporters

The world’s largest confectionery fair, the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) in Cologne, came to a close on 3 February this year. For four days it gave the German Sweets’ member companies, and German Sweets itself, the opportunity to present themselves to customers from home and abroad. Given the wintry conditions, the stream of first-day visitors was distinctly weaker than in previous years - nevertheless the exhibitors rated the trade fair a success. The decline in attendance figures was reportedly compensated for by the quality of the visitors.

The trade fair also proved very successful for German Sweets. Those interested in German confectionery were able to seek out information on the offering and product range of German Sweets’ members at the German Sweets booth, in Hall 10.2 . The display case in the German Sweets lounge provided a first glimpse of the variety of products on offer. German Sweets also used the ISM to stage two fairly new events. On the eve of the ISM, as a prelude to the trade fair itself, the second "Sweets Night - Importers meet Exporters” took place at the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) in Cologne. Last year the event was backed by the CMA and this year it was co-sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV). Gunther Beger, Ministerialrat (Head of Division) and director of International Projects, Coordination of Export Matters, welcomed guests from home and abroad in "Cologne’s Chocolate Cathedral”. Numerous foreign exporters accepted the German Sweets’ invitation. Hence the success of the premiere event a year ago was repeated. The companies who presented their products at the Sweets Night were very satisfied with the outcome of the evening. This first meeting on the eve of the fair, staged in a casual setting with accompanying music and a view onto the River Rhine, is to be repeated next year, as Willi Meier, Chairman of German Sweets and Deputy Spokesman of GEFA (German Export Association for Food and Agri Products), promised in his welcoming speech.

German Sweets also used the ISM’s 40th anniversary to premiere a new event in cooperation with the European Sales and Marketing Association (ESMA). This gave the exhibiting German Sweets’ members the opportunity to participate in a "speed-dating session” in the German Suite lounge. German manufacturers and distributers from EU countries outside Germany had 30 minutes to talk business and exchange ideas. The evaluation of the speed-dating session is eagerly anticipated so as to see how many deals were actually made on the basis of this platform.

From the point of view of German Sweets, the outstanding importance of the ISM has been underscored once again. This is particularly true for the small and medium-sized German confectionery companies. Especially for exporters, the ISM is a not-to-be-missed event on the trade fair calendar.