Here's what Associate Editor Alyse Thompson is looking forward to in the confectionery industry this year.

Gwen Evenstad said she was surprised to learn she had earned the 2018 Stroud Jordan Award, presented annually to a confectionery industry professional with a strong record of giving back to the industry.

Pam Gesford's endeavors have earned her the 2017 Stroud Jordan Award, presented each year at the American Association of Candy Technologists’ (AACT) National Technical Seminar to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the confectionery technology field, particularly through education, organization and research.

Held at the conclusion of the group’s annual technical seminar — to be held October 2 - 4, at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus, Oak Brook, Ill. — the Iron Confectioner Competition features two teams of three members each tasked to create three different types of confections within one hour.

The American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) recently announced Hannah Vezzetti, a senior at Delaware Valley University, as the recipient of the 2016-2017 John Kitt Memorial Scholarship. The association gives the $5,000 award to aspiring candy technologists.