Baking & Snack - October 2021 - 113

REUNITED once again
S
The snack industry learns about the latest issues and trends at SNAXPO21.
by Charlotte Atchley
SNAXPO21 had a packed agenda addressing the biggest issues
facing the snack industry, but reunions among friends were the
biggest draw to the convention, held in Charlotte, NC, Aug.
22-24. After being rescheduled twice due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, the tight-knit snack industry was happy
to be together again.
" By all accounts, SNAC International's first in-person meeting
after more than two years was a success, " said Elizabeth Avery,
president and chief executive officer of SNAC International. " Attendees
were inspired and informed by the chance to experience
cutting-edge technology on the show floor, listen to thoughtprovoking
speakers during the education sessions and, most
importantly, connect with long-standing and new industry colleagues
throughout the convention. We created a place of community
and camaraderie while keeping attendee safety top of mind.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for making the event possible. "
After a year-and-a-half of robust snack sales in the market,
SNAC International invited Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice
president and practice leader of IRI, to present her state of the
industry report to attendees, and she painted a picture of a very
healthy industry that shows no signs of slowing down.
" If you take anything away from this presentation, it would
be agility and differentiation, " she said. " If you are able to do
that in this environment, you will find incremental growth. "
Lynn Dornblaser, director of innovation and insight for Mintel,
spoke about how important flavor experimentation will be
to grabbing market share, and Alejandro Prieto and Carlos Ordonez,
client business partners, Nielsen IQ, explained the nuances
and opportunities in the Latin American snacking market.
Sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and supply chain and labor
challenges were all top-of-mind onstage at SNAXPO21 and
on the exhibit hall floor.
" I think we have a unique opportunity in this industry to make
manufacturing attractive again in America, " said Valerie Oswalt,
president, Campbell Snacks, a division of Camden, NJ-based
Campbell Soup Co., during her keynote conversation with Ms.
Avery. " Labor is by far the biggest challenge for all of us, and we're
trying to address it. "
Ms. Oswalt also shared how Campbell Snacks is partnering
with the local government in Charlotte to attract local talent.
Snack manufacturers and suppliers were able to touch base
and share ideas and concerns around the issues the industry faces
even as it experiences significant growth. The snack industry will
connect again at SNAC International's new SNX event in Phoenix,
March 27-29, 2022. This event will be focused on education and
making new connections.
name
BluePrint Automation
name
Bühler Inc.
BluePrint Automation: The team from BluePrint Automation. Bühler Inc.: Mike Shaw (left) and Kevin Knott of Bühler Inc.
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Baking & Snack - October 2021

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