SNAC International creates new snacking platform to foster innovation

10-Dec-2019 - Last updated on 10-Dec-2019 at 11:37 GMT

Snac International has created SNX to bolster innovation and collaboration opportunities for the global snacks industry. Pic: GettyImages/kajakiki

SNAC International has announced it has created a new industry forum for the global snack industry, to be held biennially to its vertically integrated supply chain flagship trade show, SNAXPO.

According to the Arlington, Virginia-based industry association, SNX – which will have a strong focus on education and collaboration – works in tandem with SNAXPO, designed to spark innovation.

“When it comes to snacking, the only constant is change,” said Elizabeth Avery, president and CEO of SNAC International.

“SNX, combined with SNAXPO, represents a powerful line-up of industry events designed to spur increased engagement between producers and suppliers that will help them, together, serve their consumers better, faster and more completely than ever before.”

Educate, experience and converse

SNX will feature three distinct areas:

The Education Arena: a thought leadership platform dedicated to keynote speakers, concurrent sessions and the SNAC Tank Pitch Competition.

The Experience Zones: a novel concept comprised of five zones that will lead attendees through the snack manufacturing process, beginning with raw materials and ending with finished product. Each zone will feature supplier kiosks, pop-up education presentations and producer-supplier engagement areas.

Supplier Suites: dedicated hotel suites will be transformed into meeting rooms and display areas for snack suppliers, providing a private venue for producer-supplier conversations and planning on products, sourcing, operations, supply chain efficiency, sustainability and other relevant topics.

“Providing opportunities for the snack industry – producers, suppliers and other stakeholders – to come together to develop new ideas and address their shared challenges and opportunities is essential to SNAC’s mission,” added Avery.

“This new line-up provides the value our members seek and will position attendees for individual and company success.”

SNAXPO will continue to feature a two-day expo-style exhibit floor showcasing equipment, packaging, ingredients, seasonings, private label manufacturing and related services.

The events will be held on a rotating basis, every-other-year, with SNAXPO 2020 scheduled for March 22-24, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina and the inaugural SNX on March 14-16, 2021, in Phoenix, Arizona.