Candy Blog

1. 

   You didn’t miss much at the Sweets Expo.

   To say that it was a huge dissapointment would be very kind.

   There were abot 10 decent exhibits that come to mind but very few exhibitors. Very few sweets exhibitors. Lots of opportunities to buy jewellery, apply for credit cards and look at empty space on the exhibit floor.

   I was finished the show in 15 minutes. At $12.00 just to get in - ouch!

   Comment by Mac on 5/14/06 at 5:48 am #
2. 

   Mac - that sounds so disappointing. Did you go to any of the presentations (I think Steve Almond of Candy Freak was supposed to do a keynote)?

   It’s the first year - it sounds like they don’t have their act together yet. Maybe they’ll learn from the shortfalls and do a better job with the Vancouver and Montreal expos.

   I have to say that their website wasn’t very good and never gave me the info I wanted about who was exhibiting. If you want my $12, I need to know what I’m getting for it.

   Thanks for the firsthand account.

   Comment by Cybele on 5/14/06 at 7:47 am #
3. 

   I was also incredibily disappointed. I could have found about a thousand better things to do with the 24 dollars I paid for two adults.  I spent about 15 minutes wandering around looking at numerous things that had nothing to do with Candy such as back massagers, video games and body cream.  A waste of time.  I suppose I could give them the benefit of the doubt and say that it was their first year. But I dont think I’ll be trying this one again.

   Comment by Chris on 5/14/06 at 11:39 am #
4. 

   I actually had a lot of fun at the Sweets Expo. It definitely wasn’t on the scale of the All Candy Expo (or at least what I can tell from the Food TV shows about it), but I thought there was a decent amount of stuff. When we got there at noon there were still people setting up, but by later in the afternoon it was quite crowded with more exhibits.  There were 5 adults in our group, and I think all of us had quite a good time there.  Sure… it wasn’t a spectacular candy fantasy land, but it had a lot of neat stuff and for a first year I think it was pretty good.  And I also think there’s a lot of potential to make it bigger next year.

   Comment by g on 5/16/06 at 11:06 am #
5. 

   Hey all you sweet freaks….
   I got good news and bad news read on.
   The All Canada Candy Expo is comming to Canada!! thats right you heard it direct from the inside snoop.
   With over two hundred and fifty exhibitors from around the world there will be candy like never befor, even the Big Rock Candy Mountain never saw as much goodies that the ALL CANADA CANDY EXPO will have.
   Now the bad news!!
   The expo is closed to the public, this is a trade show not a public event, however there will be 200 free passes given out to candy critics on the last day of the expo.
   Just thought you all would like to be informed.
   Paul

   Comment by Paul Pearson on 5/28/06 at 4:08 am #
6. 

   Paul - that’s crazy talk! Another All Candy Expo? Just for Canada? Please, tell me more!

   Comment by Cybele on 5/28/06 at 7:29 am #
7. 

   Paul,

   I think you’ve been eating to much sugar! There is already a large trade show in Canada called Convenience U that takes place in March for Trade. I was not at it personally but all the players were there - I found it on the net at http://www.convenienceu.ca

   There is no way that there would be room for two…especially if the Sweets Expo couldn’t get any major players to exhibit (not to mention there were no offerings beside Regal that the trade would be interested in).

   Mac

   Comment by Mac on 5/29/06 at 9:19 am #
8. 

   paul, where did you get that info from?  when is this show supposed o happen.  If it’s soon, there doesn’t seem to be any info on it.

   Comment by mike on 6/17/06 at 3:30 am #
9. 

   As a candy manufacturer, I can tell you that no one in the industry is aware of a Canadian version of the All Candy Expo.  Next year, the All Candy Expo will move to September and include snack products.

   Comment by Becky Smollett on 6/27/06 at 12:59 am #
10. 

    May I say that the Montreal edition of the Sweets Expo was rather pathetic.  The place was deserted.  They say there were approximately 40 exhibitors, mostly very small companies that CHARGED for their nibbles.  There were certainly less attendees than exhibitors (Sat afternoon).  Heavy on the maple stuff, and an even heavier emphasis on BUY BUY BUY.  Never seen such ugly sugar pies in all my life.  And Mr. Clown, shooting me in the legs three times in a row with a water pistol is NOT FUNNY.

    If they want me to go back next year (and it’s scheduled for Oct 2007), the promoters better go hang out at some REAL food shows where you EAT from one end to the other and never pay a thing after walking in.  Not even for alcohol!  And a few more take-home things to remember the exhibitors by would be nice.

    Comment by Rosemary on 7/09/06 at 5:38 pm #
11. 

    thank you for your information!  I intend to open a candy store in the next year or so.  Thought the Chicago show would be the best.  Might try the Atlantic City show in September.  Maybe could give me some feedback.  Nearly registered for the Montreal show.  Thanks for the info. won’t bother.  So typical, Canada - born and raised here but what a pee hole in the snow this country is!  We don’t have anything interesting.  Even our skating canal is no longer the longest (or largest whatever!) anymore!

    Thanks guys.

    Comment by margerette on 1/27/08 at 3:12 pm #
12. 

    Hi we are interested in receiving information on where and when the best candy/confectionary shows are held in Canada….thank you for your help…...

    Comment by Brenda on 1/07/17 at 7:54 am #

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