Confectionery Suppliers

Advocacy and Regulatory Guidance

Protecting Your Business in the Marketplace

NCA serves as your voice in Washington D.C. when it comes to influencing and understanding the laws that impact your business. We meet regularly with lawmakers, regulators and key public policy decision-makers to make sure our members’ voices are heard when legislation and regulation impacting our industry are being considered. NCA’s advocacy and regulatory teams have their finger on the pulse when it comes to issues affecting members, including access to sugar, an extensive Regulatory FAQ section, information on food safety/FSMA, nutrition labeling requirements, Bioengineered Food (GMO) Labeling, Prop 65, and international trade regulations. We also support initiatives through our grassroots advocacy program and our industry political action committee (PAC), the CandyPAC.

Advocacy and regulatory resources available to NCA members include:

• Opportunities to connect directly with legislators through the Washington Forum, NCA’s State Advocacy Days and other meeting opportunities
• Year-round access and dialogue with key regulators, legislators and the administration through our dedicated Policy & Regulatory Affairs team
• One-on-one assistance with regulatory and legislative questions
• Regular education opportunities, including frequent webinars and seminars on labeling, food safety/FSMA regulations and compliance as well as other cutting-edge topics, like cannabis regulations and FDA’s strategies to modernize food innovation
• Monthly regulatory e-newsletter updates
• Advocacy for science-based, practical and feasible regulatory standards
• Participation in the CandyPAC, the confectionery industry’s political action committee
• Opportunities to connect with legislators directly on the grassroots level through plant tours and more

Communications

Proactive Messaging to Enhance and Protect Candy’s Image

NCA protects and promotes the industry’s reputation with media and thought leaders and creates an environment in which your products are celebrated as authentic and fun treats. We work the media to share the incredible stories of the confectionery industry, and our rapid response capability allows us to provide early alerts during crises and challenges for our industry.

We amplify the industry’s message and unique story through:

• Regular web and social campaigns highlighting the extraordinary contributions of the confectionery industry
• Annual signature events, which bring the confectionery industry together for dialogue and discussion
• Promotion around important moments in candy, including the “Big Four” confectionery seasons of Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays, as well as National Candy Month
• Cultivating strong and impactful media relationships
• Facilitating industry communication through NCA’s daily SmartBrief newsletter, Candy & Snack TODAY Magazine, trade newsletters and industry alerts

Retail and Supply Chain Engagement

Promoting Your Business in the Marketplace

NCA can open doors to new business around the world and provide networking opportunities for your company through our signature events and the events we co-sponsor.

• Sweets & Snacks Expo: More than 17,000 industry professionals attend the largest confectionery and snack show in North America, which features the latest trends, hottest product releases and a valuable educational program. Supplier member companies receive two complimentary registrations.
• Sweets & Snacks Expo Supplier Showcase: The Sweets & Snacks Expo Supplier Showcase provides suppliers with a designated time and place the day before the show opens to make connections with confectionery and snack manufacturers before the show starts. NCA supplier member companies get priority registration for this event.
• State of the Industry Conference: The State of the Industry Conference brings together confectionery leaders and their retail partners for three days of discussion, learning and connection. This event is only open to NCA members and select retail partners.
• Washington Forum: NCA’s legislative fly-in invites all NCA members to meet with Congressional representatives to communicate the value of the confectionery industry and the important role that confectionery businesses play in the economy.

Industry events sponsored by NCA:

• PACK EXPO International: NCA sponsors the Confectionery Pavilion at Pack Expo, North America’s largest packaging and processing equipment trade event. Supplier member companies receive discounted booth rates in the pavilion, exhibitor listings and profiles in the show guide and participation in the industry networking reception.
• Interpack: NCA co-sponsors a networking reception for confectionery manufacturers and exhibitors at this leading global packaging trade show.

In addition to NCA’s signature events, NCA’s members have access to our online membership directory, visibility in our supplier locator, as well as year-round sponsorship and advertising/brand awareness opportunities.

Industry Insights, Research & Education

Exclusive Insights and Data to Help Grow Your Business

NCA member commpanies have 24/7 access to the latest data and insights to help you stay in-the-know on the industry trends, plan and market your best products, and turn sales pitches into purchase orders. These insights are designed to help your sales, marketing, operations and product development teams find the answers they’re looking for.

Your NCA membership includes:

• NCA consumer research reports, including our annual State of Treating report, which provides an in-depth look at category and channel performance and trends
• Circana data and insights, including seasonal sales reviews, annual recaps and the latest 4-, 12- and 52-week confectionery sales data
• Monthly in-depth educational webinars by leading experts that break down seasonal and annual performance, product and shopping trends, opportunities with secondary holidays and more
• Monthly market data for the U.S. and international market insights and trends
• Access to research white papers and one-pagers like Sweet Insights: State of Treating