Both the in-person and virtual ISM and Prosweets Cologne 2021 events have been canceled amid a spike in COVID-19 cases around the world. 

Organizers said the increased number of infections, as well as the related lockdowns and travel restrictions, made the event unfeasible. It was slated to be held Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2021 in Cologne, Germany. 

Gerald Böse, president and CEO of Koelnmesse, said they had hoped the 2021 event would serve as a restart for the sweets and snacks industry, which has not had any in-person events in months.

"We deeply regret this, of course," Böse said. "However, due to the current uncertainties our exhibitors and visitors don't see any dramatic improvement that would make a trade fair participation possible in January. We will nevertheless remain on the ball and will immediately set about organizing ISM and ProSweets Cologne 2022 with new energy.” 

And the planned digital format, Matchmaking365+, was canceled because they felt a purely digital offering without a physical trade fair wouldn’t be beneficial enough for either exhibitors and visitors.

However, the two trade fairs are planning to launch a campaign presenting significant industry developments, new products and trends from the sweets and snacks sectors.

Preparations for 2022

Planning for the events in 2022 has already started. 

Organizers said that together with the industry sponsors, Koelnmesse will use the time to ensure that ISM and ProSweets continue to be well-aligned in terms of their concept. And planning will include the further development of digital formats, which offer a suitable enhancement to the physical trade fair. 

The 2022 ISM and ProSweets Cologne will be held Jan. 30- Feb. 2, 2022.