The cost per entry is $475 until April 16. After April 16, the cost per entry is $675. The deadline for new submissions is April 23.

No, the same product cannot be entered into multiple categories. Only one category per SKU is allowed.

Your company can win in multiple categories if it is a different product that is entered.  The same product cannot win or be a finalist in multiple categories.

Only one flavor is allowed per entry.  You may purchase additional entries for additional flavors however, the same product cannot be entered into more than one category.

Category should be selected based on where your product is sold in the store.

Below are basic definitions for each product category.  Please contact Mindi Cherry for further information.

Chocolate
Everyday chocolate and chocolate candy that is widely available and typically packaged in convenient sizes or formats.

Gourmet/Premium 
Higher-end confectionery or snack products positioned as gourmet, premium, specialty or artisan. These products typically feature premium ingredients, elevated packaging, specialty positioning, and/or higher price point than comparable mass-market products.

Gum & Mints
Chewing gum, bubble gum, breath freshener mints and other confectionery mints.

Gummy Candy
Everyday gummy candy in shapes such as bears, worms, rings, and pieces. Typically made with gelatin, pectin or starch and may include sugar, sour or other coatings.

Non-Chocolate Candy
Everyday candy that is not primarily chocolate or gummy. Includes hard candy, lollipops, chewy candy, licorice, caramels, cotton candy, fudge, nut rolls, taffy, and similar confections.

Novelty/Licensed
Confectionery and snack products that feature licensed brands or characters and/or a novelty element, such as interactive packaging, an accessory, toy, activity, or other unique feature. Seasonal or holiday-specific Novelty/Licensed products should be entered in the

Seasonal
Confectionery and snack products created or packaged specifically for a holiday or retail season. Includes products featuring Seasonal packaging, colors, flavors, shapes, themes or formats. Holiday- or season-specific Novelty/Licensed products should be entered in this category.

Meat Snacks
Ready-to-eat meat snacks made primarily from meat or other animal protein, including jerky, meat sticks and similar products.

Salty Snacks
Salty snacks typically have a pronounced salty taste and include the following categories: all chips (potato, tortilla, pita, bagel, etc.), pretzels, popcorn, and pork rinds.

Savory Snacks
Non-sweet snacks outside the traditional Salty Snacks category, typically featuring savory, spicy, cheesy, umami, or other complex flavors. Includes crackers, cheese snacks, nuts and seeds, dips, trail mixes, seafood and seaweed snacks, pasta snacks, and meat alternatives.

Sweet Snacks
Snacks with sweetness as the primary flavor profile, including fruit snacks, marshmallows, protein bars, sweet snack mixes, snack bars, nutrition bars, ice cream, and chocolate- or Non-baked snacks in which sweetness is the primary flavor profile. Includes fruit snacks, marshmallows, protein and nutrition bars, sweet snack mixes, snack bars, ice cream, and chocolate- or candy-covered nuts, pretzels, and similar snacks. Products made primarily from flour-based dough or batter should be entered in

Baked Goods
Sweet snacks made primarily from flour-based dough or batter, typically using baking or a similar cooking process. Includes cookies, cakes, pastries, brownies, muffins, doughnuts, pies, and similar baked treats.

The Trailblazer Awards, along with the Powerhouse Awards, are among the top honors of the MINPA program. They celebrate bold disruptive products—often from start-ups or challenger brands—that illustrate where the category is headed. Two Trailblazer Awards will be given, one to a new candy item and one to a new snack item.

The Powerhouse Awards, along with the Trailblazer Awards, are among the top honors of the MINPA program. They honor significant launches—often from established brands—that will drive sales in the competitive marketplace. Two Powerhouse Awards will be presented, one in candy and one in snacks.

A panel of 40+ candy and snack buyers from all classes of trade, our retail experts, will decide what items from the pool of all products submitted will receive the awards. Determining if a product is a potential Trailblazer or Powerhouse will be left to the discretion of the experts – the buyers who are best acquainted with shopper needs and perceptions and marketplace dynamics. There is nothing separate you need to do in order to be considered.

All photos and product descriptions must be updated by April 23.

Each submission requires forty (40) individually packaged or sealed samples for judging samples and four (4) retail packaging samples for display and media use. Products and packaging cannot be returned after judging.

Product check-in will take place on Sunday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All products must be checked in by 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 16 to be eligible for judging. NCA is not responsible for products not delivered. No refunds will be given if the products are not received by the deadline.

Yes, products can be shipped to the Advance Warehouse (warehouse is not temperature controlled) or to Show Site at the Indiana Convention Center. We recommend you use UPS, FedEx, or DHL for shipping and not USPS.

When shipping chocolate products to Show Site, it is recommended that you pack the samples with cold packs. Note: you can also ship to Frozen or Refrigerated storage on site.

Please complete this form with shipping and tracking information once shipped. Please note: NCA is not responsible for products not delivered. No refunds will be given if the products are not received by the deadline.

Advance Warehouse Shipping Label | Show Site Shipping Label | Refrigeration Show Site Shipping Label | Frozen Show Site Shipping Label

Only the actual product will be placed on display in the judging room and in the MINPA Showcases.

Product check-in is at the Indiana Convention Center, Room 104. 

Judging will take place on Monday, May 17, beginning at 9 a.m. Entries that are received after the start of the judging process will not be eligible for judging.

All winners will be announced at the Most Innovative New Product Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The ceremony will take place at the Indiana Convention Center in the 500 Ballroom.

A reception will take place before the awards ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All MINPA entries will be on display in the Most Innovative New Product Awards Showcases in the Crossroads Lobby.