Neill Barston

A significant investment is being made by Mars, as expansion to its global headquarters in Chicago, US, will see the creation of 600 new jobs in the region’s candy capital #confectionery #snacking #investment #Chicago #chocolate #US #candy @MarsGlobal confectioneryproduction.com/news/57147/mar…

Ease of use, and flexibility are key to Theegarten-Pactec's packaging line due to be unveiled at interpack @theegartenpt #interpack2026 #equipment #systems #machinery #packaging #chocolate #snacks #innovation confectioneryproduction.com/news/57059/fre…

Exclusive: Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner discusses his role and core challenges at this year's State of the Industry Conference @CandyUSA @Hersheys #confectionery #chocolate #SOTIC2026 #confectioneryproduction #US #challenges #opportunities #consumerengagement confectioneryproduction.com/news/56984/exc…

Exclusive video: we go behind the scenes at the State of the industry conference 2026 edition,which placed major issues under the spotlight as the US celebrates 250 years of independence @CandyUSA #Johndowns #candy #chocolate #confectionery #cocoa #florida youtube.com/watch?v=r2x-dL…

What a fine ending to this year’s State of the Industry Conference with an excellent party to get the Land of Sweet Liberty celebrations under way’ @CandyUSA #confectionery #snakcs #closingparty #conference #confectioneryproduction #US #policy #advocacy #strategy

Championship winning American football coach Nick Saban, says a culture of belief and determination are key to success in work and life @CandyUSA #nicksaban #sports #inspiration #motivation

Sylvia Buxton, of Perfetti Van Melle has been named as the NCA advocate of the year for her work across the industry @CandyUSA #confectionery #award #advocacy #US #engagement

Dona Sarkar, of Microsoft AI, discusses its rise, noting that often seen predictions AI ‘will take all jobs in a sector within a year’ are not correct, yet it is playing an increasingly large role across industries. @Microsoft @CandyUSA #donasakar #AI #Sotic2026 #tech #US

The retail panel for Sotic 2026 looks at retail strategy - Shawn Darmody of Target major retailers notes that the business ‘loves limited time offers’ that draw customers in ….@Target #sotic2026 #retail #panel #confectioneryproduction #innovation #newproducts #US #consumertrends

Michelle Frame, founder of Victus Ars, notes to the State of industry conference that natural colours are increasingly preferable, but companies need to factor in that costs increase by 40-60% in manufacturing terms

A key panel on navigating tbe change to natural colours underlines concerns there have been a high level of varying state laws that have placed strain on inter-state trade in the US @CandyUSA #sotic2026 #colours #confectionery #science #candy #chocolate #confectioneryproduction

Trading cards are a dominant force in driving confectionery sales, as seen with Hershey’s Pokémon kisses series @WeAreCircana #pokemon #sotic2026 #confectioneryproduction

The final day of Sotic begins with a circana presentation on innovation trends, Sally Lyons Wyatt says ‘bricks and mortar stores offer by far greatest area of shopper discovery of products, but social media is rising significantly @CandyUSA @WeAreCircana #sotic2026 #florida

Exclusive: The state of the industry conference celebrates 25Oth anniversary of US independence, with sales up to $55 billion for 2025 @CandyUSA #confectionery #candy #chocolate #US #innovation #alwaysatreat confectioneryproduction.com/news/56913/exc…

Kirk Tanner, the recently arrived CEO offers a frank conversation at the State of the Industry Conference, stating innovation into new products is key, and that engaging with consumers remains a work in progress. @Hersheys #kirktanner #interview #sotic2026 #confectionery

John Downs, president of the National Confectioners Association opens the State of the Industry Conference,noting the value of the sector for the 250 anniversary of the US, noting it is continuing to push for uniform national legislation @CandyUSA #candy #chocolate #sotic2026

Cocoa Today and Cocoa Tomorrow offers a key panel at this year’s #sotic2026 on the future of the industry #cargill #blommer #tonymyers#chocolate #supplychains ⁦@CandyUSA⁩

Ron Insana,financial analysts tells the State of Industry Conference that geopolitical conditions including in Iran, have a profound impact on energy prices & particularly on Asia’ and around the world-‘the longer it goes on, the longer the impact’ @CandyUSA #sotic2026 #candy

As the State of treating report reveals, gen z consumers in particular love products linked to promotional events and pop culture, from Taylor Swift releases to Pokémon, Harry Potter and Wicked movie or screen releases @CandyUSA #sotic2026 #candy #chocolate #trends

The State of treating report reveals key findings that show across generations? Chocolate remains loved, but younger generations are consuming in a different way, with TikTok proving a big driver of sales @CandyUSA #sotic2026 #trends #confectionery #confectioneryproduction #US