(Article)
ISM and ProSweets: information on the two confectionery trade shows
By Beatrice Vernocchi
If you work in the confectionery industry, you're certainly familiar with ISM and ProSweets, two prestigious events in the 2026-2027 Food & Beverage trade show calendar, focused mainly on the confectionery and bakery industry.
In this article we've gathered all the useful information for taking part in these trade shows.
Here's the index of our quick guide:
3 Where and when do ISM and ProSweets take place?
4 How to get to ISM and ProSweets
5 Tickets for ISM and ProSweets
7 A specialized Food & Beverage agency for taking part in ISM and ProSweets
ISM and ProSweets in brief
- Dates: February 1-4, 2026
- Location: Cologne
- Opening hours: 9am to 6pm; last day 9am to 4pm
- Edition: 53rd ISM
- Attendance: 32,000 visitors from 135 countries; 1,500+ exhibitors
- Official website: www.ism-cologne.com/
What are ISM and ProSweets
ISM stands for "International Süßwaren Messe," German for "International Confectionery Trade Fair." It's considered the world's leading trade show for the confectionery and bakery industry.
It's held annually in Cologne, Germany. It's a meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers and professionals in the confectionery industry from all over the world. The event offers the opportunity to exhibit and discover the latest trends, innovative products and technologies in the confectionery sector.
ProSweets is an international trade show dedicated to the confectionery and snack industry. It's also held in Cologne, Germany, and is organized alongside the ISM trade show.
ProSweets focuses mainly on the ingredients, machinery and equipment used
in the production of confectionery, candy and snacks. The event is an important meeting point
between supply and demand in this market niche, where it's possible to make business contacts,
present new products and keep up with the latest trends in the confectionery sector.
Where and when do ISM and ProSweets take place?
ISM and ProSweets take place at Koelnmesse, one of the largest and most important trade show venues in the world, located in Cologne, Germany. Koelnmesse is a modern, well-equipped exhibition complex that hosts numerous business events, congresses, trade shows and exhibitions dedicated to different industrial sectors every year.
ISM and ProSweets take place at the Cologne trade fair grounds on Sunday 1, Monday 2, Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 February 2026.
How to get to ISM and ProSweets
To reach the Cologne trade fair by car, the address to enter into your GPS is: Messepl. 1, 50679 Köln, Germany.
The exhibition grounds where ISM and ProSweets take place are easily reachable both by plane and by train:
- Cologne Bonn Airport (Flughafen Köln/Bonn) is the nearest airport. You can take a direct train from the airport to "Köln Hauptbahnhof" station and then continue by subway or regional train to reach Koelnmesse/Deutz.
- Cologne's main railway station, called "Köln Hauptbahnhof," is well connected both nationally and internationally. From the station, you can take the subway or another train to reach the "Koelnmesse/Deutz" stop, very close to the exhibition complex.
Tickets for ISM and ProSweets
Tickets to visit ISM and ProSweets will be available online three months before the
events begin.
The 2026 ticket prices are as follows:
- 89,00 € daily
- 110,00 € season
- 120,00 € ISM opening night
You can buy your ticket online directly on the websites of these two events, following the procedures described in detail.
Why exhibit at ISM 2026
Exhibiting at ISM 2026 means stepping into the beating heart of the global confectionery and snack
industry. It's the ideal opportunity to present your products and innovations to a highly
qualified, international audience made up of decision makers, buyers and key players in the
industry.
The numbers from the 2025 edition speak for themselves. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries and more than 32,000
trade visitors from 135 countries (+7% compared to 2024) took part in the event, confirming
ISM as an essential fixture for anyone looking to grow in the global market.
ISM is much more than a trade show, it's a platform that combines physical and digital visibility, strategic networking and discovery of the latest trends.
Taking part allows you to strengthen your international presence, engage with the
industry's key players and position your brand at the center of market
innovation.
A specialized Food & Beverage agency for taking part in ISM and ProSweets
At Erbacipollina we can become the trusted partner for companies aiming to take part in major food industry events like ISM and ProSweets, because we're specialized in Food & Beverage marketing.
Thanks to 360-degree services, our agency is ready to offer the support needed to guarantee successful participation in these trade shows.
Our extensive experience allows us to competently tackle the specific challenges and
seize the unique opportunities that food and beverage companies face. Since 2010 we've worked with numerous brands, gaining a deep
understanding of market dynamics, consumer preferences and the most effective
communication strategies for earning the public's trust.
We offer specialized expertise in planning and executing effective marketing strategies.
We're ready to support your company in developing an engaging and
memorable trade show presence, taking care of every detail, from stand visual design to
visitor relationship management, guaranteeing successful participation in ISM,
ProSweets and other industry events.
If you're looking for a reliable partner for your trade show presence, **get in touch with us.**
