The confectionery industry's international meeting place – strong demand from abroad

German federal Minister Ilse Aigner will be on hand to officially open ISM on 29th January 2012 in Cologne

Preparations are gearing up for the 42nd International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM): The numerous registrations from Germany and abroad for the 2012 trade fair indicate that the event will once again have a very impressive international character and attract leading participants. From 29th January to 1st February 2012, about 1,400 suppliers from around the world are again expected to present nearly the entire spectrum of confectionery and snack items in the trade fair halls in Cologne. Demand for exhibition space at ISM is becoming stronger, particularly among companies from abroad. The partner country at next year's ISM will be Belgium. The home of outstanding chocolates, pralines and baked goods will be a highlight of the trade fair, with a full programme of activities involving Belgian companies and producers. In attendance on the first day of the 42nd ISM will be Ilse Aigner, Germany's Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, who will officially open the trade fair. ProSweets Cologne, the international supplier fair for the confectionery industry, will once again take place in parallel to ISM. Together, ISM and ProSweets cover the entire value chain in confectionery production, scheduled in parallel and at one location – an internationally unique constellation.

ISM is the world's leading trade fair for the trade in confectionery and snack items and presents a comprehensive product range of confectionery and snack items in 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 opening of ISM by Federal Minister Ilse Aigner underlines the trade fair's role as the leading trade hub for these products. More than 80 per cent of the ISM exhibitors are coming from abroad. In 2011 a total of 32,451 specialist buyers from 144 countries visited ISM. The proportion of buyers from abroad was 64 per cent.