NACS, Koelnmesse Collaborate for Convenience Event at ISM 2027

NACS and Koelnmesse have partnered for a special, convenience-focused event at ISM Snacks & Sweets 2027, held January 31-February 3, 2027 in Cologne, Germany.

The special event will feature dedicated exhibition space, a walk-in "Convenience Store of the Future" on the Trade Fair Boulevard as well as the half-day "NACS Convenience Leaders Exchange @ ISM" Congress on January 31.

“Around the world, convenience retailers are evolving their offer to meet changing consumer needs, creating new opportunities for products, services and store experiences. Our collaboration with Koelnmesse brings NACS’ retail expertise and network together with the innovation showcased at ISM. This initiative will help retailers and suppliers explore those opportunities together, with a practical focus on serving customers better and driving profitable growth,” said Henry Armour, chairman emeritus & CEO international, NACS.

The Convenience Store of the Future will be a walk-in, future-oriented format that will demonstrate how products, foodservice, shopfitting, payment and retail technologies and omnichannel solutions can be combined into an attractive and viable shopping experience. Guided tours and exhibitor pitches are also planned, which will offer deeper insights into diverse products, technologies and concepts.

The half-day "NACS Convenience Leaders Exchange @ ISM" will focus on industry trends, business models, profitability and future operational issues in the convenience and fuel retail sectors, with a focus on sweets and snacks. In particular, this curated congress format brings together executives and decision-makers from the convenience and service station retail industry as well as selected brands, suppliers and technology providers.

"Sweets and snacks are core product categories at many convenience stores. As classic impulse and on-the-go purchases, they play a significant role in this trade segment. Convenience retail offers an interesting perspective on the intersection between the industry and the retail trade," said Bastian Mingers, vice president trade fair management food and food technology, Koelnmesse GmbH.

NACS wants to hear from sweets and snacks suppliers around the world with convenience-ready products—and from the buyers and executives shaping what comes next in stores. Learn about exhibiting here or attending the event here. For more information, contact Mark Wohltmann, director, NACS International, at [email protected] to talk about exhibiting, attending or meeting at the trade fair, or to apply to join the NACS Convenience Leaders Exchange. 

Europe