WASHINGTON – The National Confectioners Association has announced the winners of three industry awards ahead of the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo taking place May 23-26 in Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The 2022 Golden Candy Dish Award will be awarded to Kathy Corcoran, vice president at Premier Specialty. The Golden Candy Dish Award is presented to a broker industry member who has performed above and beyond the call of business to promote and grow the confectionery industry.

With more than thirty years of experience in the confectionery industry, Corcoran has built a reputation as a knowledgeable and passionate leader that uses her immense experience for the good of others. As a member of the NCA Broker Advisory Board, an active member of NCA’s Women’s Leadership Group and a recent inductee to the Candy Hall of Fame, her dedication to the confectionery industry – and mentoring rising talent within it – has made her an omnipresent stalwart in the industry.

The 2022 Silver Candy Dish Award will be awarded to Lois Anthony, director of sales at PEZ. The Silver Candy Dish Award is presented to a leader in sales, marketing, management or another key role in confectionery manufacturing who has made significant contributions to growing the confectionery category and in support of the broker community. 

Known for her ability to solve any problem with a smile, Lois Anthony represents the creativity and collaboration of the confectionery industry and is a favorite amongst her confectionery broker partners for her ability to adapt and elevate PEZ’s merchandising and in-store presence. An active member of the National Confectioners Association and its Women’s Leadership Group, Lois has served as a mentor for many and an inspiration for all aspiring to uplift the confectionery industry and its standards for excellence.

The 2022 Woman of Influence Award will be awarded to Emily Edmondson, sales director at Galerie. Presented by NCA’s Women’s Leadership Group (WLG), the Woman of Influence Award honors a woman who has demonstrated superior leadership and industry mentorship and has a proven record of growth, success and influence of women in the confectionery industry and beyond.

As the second recipient of the Woman of Influence Award, Emily Edmondson exemplifies the mentorship, leadership and empowerment NCA’s Women’s Leadership Group seeks to foster. A former chairwoman for NCA’s State of the Industry and active member of NCA’s Women’s Leadership Group, Emily serves as a leading voice within NCA and across the confectionery industry and uses her role to collaborate with partners across the industry in support of rising female talent within the confectionery industry.

“Each of these three women has had an incredible impact on the confectionery industry, bolstering the category at large and serving as mentors and role models for many in our industry,” John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “I look forward to celebrating each of their monumental achievements at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in just a few weeks’ time.”

The Golden & Silver Candy Dish Awards and Woman of Influence Award, along with the Most Innovative New Product Awards and the Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation, will be presented officially at the Sweets & Snacks Expo Award Ceremony, which takes place on Monday, May 23, at 6 p.m. CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. A reception takes place immediately preceding the ceremony at 5:15 p.m. CT.   

###

About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the U.S. confectionery industry, which generates $42 billion in retail sales each year. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Sweets & Snacks Expo
The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the premier event for the confectionery and snack industries. Featuring new product launches, business-building solutions and merchandising innovations, this annual trade show brings together qualified candy and snack retail professionals and company representatives who showcase the latest in candy and snack products. The event is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association. Learn more at SweetsAndSnacks.com.