Expo to emphasize Valentine's Day, Easter: AWMA show in D.C. illustrates trend toward lower-fat products - American Wholesale Marketers Association's 51st National Summer Convention and Exposition being held in Washington, D.C. on July 17-20, 1996 - Food Merchandising

Discount Store News, July 15, 1996

One of the summer's sweetest events may take place in the nation's capital this month when hundreds of candy makers converge on Washington to offer the latest in confectionary treats.

There will be something for everyone: the new, the novel and the seasonal, specifically Valentine's Day and Easter merchandise. Various vendors mentioned that a lot of this year's treats are part of a trend toward lower-fat products and natural ingredients that appeal to today's health-conscious consumer.

"Meet Me in D.C.: A Capital Experience," is the title and theme of the 51st National Summer Convention and Exposition to be held in the Washington Convention Center July 17 to 20. Attendees will include wholesale distributors, retailers, vendors and brokers.

Sponsored by the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA), the event has more than 300 product exhibitors signed up. If the expo is at all like the winter show, 60% of those vendors will offer confectionary products and 14% will display snacks. The rest should be a mix of general merchandise, groceries, business products, tobacco and trading cards.

"This is an order-writing show for wholesalers and retailers," said Bonnie Trumbauer, director of expositions. The event is being held in conjunction with the AWMA's annual legislative conference, where industry members can meet with their elected representatives to discuss issues currently affecting them.

One of the highlights of the show is a sample room, where buyers can pick up sample products and try them later at their leisure. The new product display, made up of 160 shelves inside a Plexiglas cabinet, will showcase the latest products on the market, and the new product gallery offers informative flyers.

"We're definitely going to be in the new product display," said Tony Sciullo, general manager of SCI Importing. The company is introducing five new products under its Circus Treats label, and Sciullo said the company likes the vehicle for generating booth traffic.

Attendees can see the new Tiger Eyes gumballs, Da Bronx Bar candy bar, Super Nutty Balls for summer, Mint Splits and Ice Cream Scoops.

"Kids like two things best: ice cream and candy. So we made an ice cream candy," Sciullo said. The product has a texture that looks and tastes like ice cream, he said.

Hershey Chocolate U.S.A. will be at the expo with two brand-new products. The summer show will feature the debut of TasteTations, the company's first hard candy. Available in four flavors, it started shipping in June.

Also new is Sweet Escapes, a product that has 33% to 50% less fat than the leading candy bar, according to Bob Love, Hershey's director of national accounts and trade development.

"This is our first public introduction of a reduced-fat product," Love said. "All the fat reduction comes from process improvements. There are no artificial ingredients." Sweet Escapes, available in three flavors, started shipping in late April.

Among those looking for a good turnout in July is James Tucker of seasonal candy maker R.M. Palmer Company. He'll be in D.C. to launch the company's selection of cleverly designed and tasty candies for Valentine's Day.

New for this season are Signs of Affection, foil-wrapped chocolates boxed in traffic-sign-shaped boxes with clever messages - "stop in the name of love" or "Yield to strong feelings" are just two of the styles in the collection.

"It is something that will stop consumers in their tracks," said Tucker, who is vice president of sales and marketing.

Then there are "Passion Pills," a medium-priced candy from Crazy Dr. Palmer's Lab that the company said is fun to look at and fun to eat.