SPRINGFIELD, MO – March 26, 2024 – Retail Confectioners International (RCI) is thrilled to announce that registration is officially open for the highly anticipated 2024 Annual Convention & Industry Expo, which will take place June 17-21 at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, New York.

This year’s event promises to celebrate the sweet side of connection, education and discovery! Designed uniquely for the retail confectioner, this event offers educational sessions, a two-day expo, confectionery tours and connection opportunities. If you’re a candy maker, chocolatier or confectionery retailer looking to grow all aspects of your business, this event is for you!

During the opening education session on Tuesday, June 18, Stephanie Stuckey of Stuckey’s Corporation will share insight into how she saved her family’s business from ruin with the sweet revival of its nostalgic brand, made famous for its pecan log rolls. Stephanie will share stories from her upcoming memoir, UnStuck: Revival of an American Icon, and provide insights and tips to anyone looking to add new energy to their lives. With no entrepreneurial experience prior to taking over her family's business, she embraces her weaknesses as opportunities to learn, and she celebrates her strengths. She treats every day as an adventure in which the unexpected is likely to happen, while following her grandfather's and father's ideals: work hard, be fair and have fun.

Wednesday’s education programming will feature engaging roundtable discussions, offering you the chance to delve into topics based on your unique needs and interests. Topics include business operations, candy production, retail and marketing, leadership and more. Additional education will be available to help attendees learn to:

• Share the magic of chocolate with all age groups
• Transform likes to sales with irresistible social media content
• Create a lasting legacy with strategies for business succession

Educational sessions will be held on Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19. While the convention is hosted by RCI, all confectionery professionals are invited to attend. Choose from a variety of ticket packages to customize your experience, starting at $10 in advance (or $25 onsite) for the Expo Ticket to attend the two-day Industry Expo or a 1-Day Education Ticket for just $225 for those looking to enhance their experience with education.

For a comprehensive schedule of the week’s events, visit retailconfectioners.org/annual. Registration is required for education sessions, the Industry Expo and all convention events. For best rates, register by April 26, 2024 at retailconfectioners.org/annual. For more information about RCI, visit retailconfectioners.org or call 417-883-2775.

Contact:
Lacey Hesse, Marketing Manager
lacey@retailconfectioners.org
417-883-2775

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Retail Confectioners International (RCI) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the confectionery industry. Based in Springfield, MO, RCI has represented the interests of confectionery manufacturing retailers and promoted public interest in these products for over 100 years. RCI provides a forum for confectioners to network, share ideas and develop their candy-making and entrepreneurial skills. For more information, please visit www.retailconfectioners.org.

Elaine M. Day passed away peacefully at the age 94 and surrounded by family on April 19, 2024. Together with her husband James "Jim" Day and partners, they purchased Esther Price Candies, Corp. in Dayton, Ohio in 1976. Elaine supported Jim in this endeavor and managed the retail store in Kenwood, Ohio for a time. Jim and Elaine were active members of RCI for many years. Elaine is the mother of Barb (Day) Dressman who currently owns the business with her husband Doug Dressman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and staff at Esther Price Candies. Read obituary.

The Warrell Corporation is saddened to announce that Founder and Patriarch of the Warrell Family, Lincoln Warrell, died on April 18, 2024. Linc was 93 years old.

A graduate in chemical engineering from Penn State University in 1953, Linc worked for ALCOA as a sales engineer before joining Pennsylvania Dutch Candies, a company he founded with his brother and father in 1965. Linc led the company as President and CEO, building and expanding the firm through numerous acquisitions, including Katharine Beecher Candies and Melster Candies, which served different areas of trade within the candy industry. In 2000, Linc semi-retired, and the company changed its name to The Warrell Corporation, to better represent the diversity of the markets it served. Over his career, in addition to the original specialty distribution business, the company was engaged in the manufacturing of chocolate enrobed products, chocolate panned products, hot nut panning, taffy, marshmallow, caramel, and sugar mints. Today, the company is a leading contract manufacturer of chocolate enrobed, chocolate panned, hot sugar panned, and nut cluster products.

Linc was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 2001 and was the winner of the Kettle Award in 2004.

Linc believed strongly that the industry must work together to grow the market and trade for everyone. It was common for Linc to be seen huddled with his competitors at an industry event, trade show, or meeting to collaborate on shared candy industry issues to improve the overall business for all, such as reduction of sugar subsidies or the establishment of the candy industry’s own trade show. Linc was a prime advocate of the National Confectioners Association establishing its own trade show so the industry could focus on marketing the inherent benefits of the candy category. This allowed the industry to reap the benefits of the revenue that a major trade show generates in order to promote, advocate for, and grow our industry. He recalled, as one of his proudest professional moments, seeing the first All Candy Expo be launched in 1997 with broad industry support, as he knew the positive impact the show would ultimately have for every candy manufacturer.

During his career, Linc served twice on the Board of Trustees for the National Confectioners Association, was a member of the NASFT Board of Directors and was active in Retail Confectioners Association (RCI).

Linc was a great father, supporting seven children in various professional pursuits across many diversified interests and industries. Linc was also very active in numerous civic organizations in his hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, including Rotary Club International and served in various advisory capacities with the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.

Linc is survived by his devoted wife Marilyn, seven children, seventeen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Union Confectionery Machinery and Rabin Worldwide have been named by Blommer Chocolate Company as the exclusive auction agents to sell the assets of their shuttered chocolate plant in Chicago, Illinois.

The auction sale will take place June 25th and June 26th online. Blommer’s Chicago plant is 250,000 SF and is located in downtown Chicago. A full-service industrial chocolate factory, the plant includes cocoa processing equipment such as roasters, winnowers, nib grinders, cocoa butter presses, ball mills, paste mixers, pre-refiners, refiners, conches and bulk chocolate storage. Also included are tempering units, chocolate drop/chip depositing lines, pumps and a huge variety of support and service items.

A complete inventory with photographs will be available in May, after which time inspections will begin by appointment.

If you have any questions, please contact Union Confectionery Machinery Company's Co-President, Jim Greenberg, at jim@unionmachinery.com or +1.203.913.9656 mobile.

Hilliard’s Chocolate System, a supplier of chocolate equipment in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts announced the retirement of its President Jim Bourne after 48 years with the company. The company has been sold to Dan and Jaime Andersen, Jim’s daughter and son-in-law, who will carry on Hilliard’s operations, known for its customer service.

Jim Bourne has long been active in Retail Confectioners International (RCI) serving several terms on the Supplier Advisory Board, including as Board Chair. Jim also served on RCI’s Board of Directors. Jim served as an instructor for every RCI/Gus Pulakos Candy School and later RCI’s Chocolate Boot Camp® from 1985 to present. Jim is a recipient of RCI’s Henry J. Bornhofft Award and the RCI Presidents Award.

In 2012, Jim was inducted into the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) Candy Hall of Fame. As a long-time member of the National Confectioners Association (NCA), he served on its Supplier Advisory Board and served on the Kettle Committee for 28 years.

Additionally, Jim has been a career-long member of several candy organizations including the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia (RCAP) and the Philadelphia Candy Show, receiving its Copper Kettle Award. Jim was also a long-time member of the Professional Manufacturing Confectioners Association (PMCA) and the New England Retail Confectioners Association (NERCA).

Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees are:

• Sylvia Buxton, Perfetti Van Melle USA
• Edward Dee, Smarties Candy Co. (posthumous)
• Georgia Gallicchio, Thayer Distribution
• Patrick Hagerty, Performance Food Group
• Amos Ma, Amos Sweets & Food Co., Ltd.
• Matthew Pye, Just Born, Inc. (retired)
• Jeffery Rome, Rome Consulting
• Marlene Stauffer, Blommer Chocolate Co.
• Joyce Steet, Mars Wrigley

“Congratulations to our new class of Candy Hall of Fame inductees,” said Shelly Clarey, President & CEO of NCSA and a member of the Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2016. “We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding individuals who have committed their careers to improving and innovating the confectionery industry. We look forward to formally inducting them into the Candy Hall of Fame this October in Orlando.”

Since 1971, the Candy Hall of Fame has recognized lifetime career achievements in the confectionery industry. Candy Hall of Fame members come from all disciplines within the confectionery industry, must have at least 20 years of service to the confectionery industry (buyers must have at least 10 years of experience) and must be 50 years of age at the time of nomination. Honorees should demonstrate loyalty to building and supporting the confectionery industry through active participation over and above job requirements.

Registration for the 2024 Candy Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be available at a later date.

For more details about the NCSA, visit www.candyhalloffame.org.    

About the NCSA
The NCSA, formed in 1899, is dedicated to Recognition, Fellowship, Education and Mentoring. The NCSA administers the Candy Hall of Fame and the Kettle Awards. The Candy Hall of Fame was founded in 1971, and recognizes lifetime career achievements in the confectionery industry, with induction based on dedication to the overall betterment of the industry. Established in 1946 by industry publisher Don Gussow, the Kettle Awards annually recognize a deserving individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry for excellence in manufacturing, production, and operations. 

Simplex Paper Box Corporation is excited to announce the acquisition of The Ribbon Print Company! The Ribbon Print Company specializes in selling printers and software that allow customers to custom print onto ribbons and stickers. 

For more information about The Ribbon Print Company, you can visit our website: www.theribbonprintcompany.com, or email us at: sales@theribbonprintcompany.com.  When interacting with TRPC, you will find Carrie Houck and Cori Feeser ready to assist you. Please note, nothing has changed at Simplex. 

At Simplex Paper Box, we love the packaging industry, and we are looking forward to incorporating ribbons with our candy boxes to bring more options for customization to all of our customers! 

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Feb. 14, 2024) – The NCSA, an organization of individuals across all disciplines who proudly represent the confectionery category, announced today they will now administer the Kettle Awards, an annual recognition for a deserving individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry. The 77^th Kettle Awards presentations will be held during a reception at the Eiteljorg Museum, located at 500 W. Washington Street in Indianapolis, on Tuesday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m.

“We are proud to carry on the legacy of the esteemed Kettle Awards,” said Shelly Clarey, President & CEO of NCSA. “The NCSA is committed to fostering recognition, fellowship, education and mentoring within our industry, and this coveted award is a testament to our values. We look forward to kicking off the first year of our leadership administering this award.”

The Kettle Awards were established in 1946 by industry publisher Don Gussow. Each year, the nominees are selected by the Kettle Awards Committee for their dedication to the confectionery industry, superior achievement in sales and marketing, education and personnel training, energy and environmental contributions, quality advancement, production and plant improvement, and research and product development. The NCSA has appointed its immediate past chairman, Mark Lozano, to serve as the Executive Director of the Kettle Awards Committee. 

“We are thrilled to take on this new endeavor, and we are fully committed to upholding and championing this cherished tradition of recognition,” said Joe Melville, Chairman of the NCSA. “This year’s finalists are all dedicated members of the confectionery industry, and we look forward to celebrating them in May.”

The 2024 finalists for the Kettle Awards are John Brooks Jr., President of Adams & Brooks, Inc.; Greg Power, CEO of Las Olas Confections and Snacks; and Mark A. Tarner, President of South Bend Chocolate Company. Voting for the winner is open to the industry. To vote, click here.

In addition to the Kettle Awards, the NCSA, which is now in its 125^th year, founded and has administered the Candy Hall of Fame since 1971, which honors people who have dedicated their careers to giving back to the confectionery industry. To learn more about the Candy Hall of Fame, click here. 

To learn more about the Kettle Awards, purchase tickets or register as a sponsor, visit kettleawards.com.

About the NCSA
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA), formed in 1899, is dedicated to Recognition, Fellowship, Education and Mentoring. The NCSA administers the Candy Hall of Fame and the Kettle Awards. The Candy Hall of Fame was founded in 1971, and recognizes lifetime career achievements in the confectionery industry, with induction based on dedication to the overall betterment of the industry. Established in 1946 by industry publisher Don Gussow, the Kettle Awards annually recognize a deserving individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry.

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The Good Food Awards, known for honoring artisanal food producers who create delicious products while also promoting social and environmental responsibility, selected Bixby Chocolate's Organic Haiti 70% Dark Chocolate Bar as a standout within the chocolate category. In the confections category, Kakao Chocolate earned two finalist slots for its Blackberry Earl Grey Truffle and Jasmine Green Tea and Pear Pâtes de Fruits, while Sweet Vegan was selected as finalist for its Luscious Lemon Chocolate Truffle.

Congratulations to Greg Power of Las Olas Confections and Snacks
for being nominated for the 2024 Kettle Award.

Congratulations to nominees for the 2024 Kettle Award. Nominees were selected based on their accomplishments, activities and contributions to the confectionery industry.

We're proud to announce RCI's 1st Vice President of our board of directors Greg Power, CEO of Las Olas Confections and Snacks, as one of three of the following distinguished nominees for the 2024 Kettle Award.

• John Brooks Jr. ("JB"), President of Adams & Brooks, San Bernardino, CA
• Greg Power, CEO of Las Olas Confections and Snacks, Orlando, FL
• Mark A. Tarner, President of South Bend Chocolate Company, South Bend, IN

Click here to read nominee bios and cast your vote for the 2024 Kettle Award recipient.

This past weekend, the NCSA honored 11 industry leaders who have significantly impacted the confectionery industry during their careers. The 52^nd Candy Hall of Fame inductions honored the Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2023 with a black-tie banquet in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, October 21. 

The 2023 Candy Hall of Fame inductees include RCI Member Rose Potts of Blommer Chocolate Co., along with Brad Carlin, C.A. Carlin; Tony Frankenberger, McLane Co.; Adolph Goelitz, Goelitz Confectionery Co. (now Jelly Belly Candy Co.); Mitchell Goetze, Goetze’s Candy Co., Inc.; Susan Grassey, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, LLC; Patrice Guy, The Walt Disney Co.; Shawn Houser-Fedor, The Hershey Co.; Arne Sandberg, Mockups 4 You, LLC; David Shaffer, Just Born, Inc.; and Brian Sisitzky, L.H. Sisitzky Sales, Inc.

“Congratulations to the 2023 Candy Hall of Fame class,” said Shelly Clarey, NCSA President & CEO. “Each of these individuals has committed much of their career history to advancing and innovating the confectionery industry, and we are proud to induct them into the Candy Hall of Fame.”

“Recognizing confectionery industry trailblazers who devote their careers to the betterment of the industry is at the heart of the Candy Hall of Fame, and we salute each of these 11 honorees for their commitment and passion for making our industry stronger while fostering the next generation,” said Joe Melville, Chairman of the NCSA. 

Since 1971, the Candy Hall of Fame has recognized lifetime career achievements in the confectionery industry. Candy Hall of Fame members come from all disciplines within the confectionery industry, must have at least 20 years of service to the confectionery industry (buyers must have at least 10 years of experience) and must be 50 years of age at the time of nomination. Honorees should demonstrate loyalty to building and supporting the confectionery industry through active participation over and above job requirements. 

Each inductee received a Candy Hall of Fame plaque and pin at the ceremony to commemorate their induction. 

For more details about the NCSA and the Candy Hall of Fame, visit www.candyhalloffame.org.  

MILWAUKEE, WI – June 14, 2023 - Retail Confectioners International (RCI), a trade association serving the chocolate and confectionery industry, recently awarded the 2023 Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award at their Annual Convention & Industry Expo. Louis Curlee of The Blommer Chocolate Company was this year’s honored recipient.

Known for his infectious smile and laughter, Louis was described as “the most genuine, kind, generous and honest person,” by Scott Funk, Blommer’s Regional Sales Director. “Louis embodies the spirit of the Henry J. Bornhofft Award in his service to this industry and to all others.”

Louis has been a member of the chocolate industry for nearly 40 years. Currently serving as Blommer’s Senior Account Manager, Louis’s territory extends over Ohio, Pennsylvania, Western New York and Eastern Canada. With previous experience working for Van Leer Chocolate Company and Barry Callebaut, he specializes in premium chocolate sales, as well as chocolate applications for the dairy industry.

“I learned much about chocolate from the first recipient of the Henry J. Bornhofft Award, Malcolm Campbell of Van Leer Chocolate Company,” Louis recalled. “I am truly honored to be in the company of those who came before me.”

Louis is an active, contributing member of RCI, recently serving on the Board of Directors and several committees. Due to his dedication to RCI and the industry, the Board of Directors felt he was the best choice for this honor. "Louis is an incredible supporter of this association and the confectionery industry as a whole,” stated RCI Executive Director, Angie Burlison. “His loyalty and commitment is commendable, and we were privileged to present him with this award recognizing his contributions.”

The Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award was established by the RCI Board of Directors in 1985. Each year a member of the confectionery industry is selected to receive the Henry J. Bornhofft Memorial Award and recognized during RCI’s annual convention. The recipient is a stand-out supplier member, who has exhibited many years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, friendship and has made significant contributions to the confectionery industry. 

For more information about Retail Confectioners International, visit retailconfectioners.org.

Contact:
Lacey Hesse, Marketing Manager
Lacey@retailconfectioners.org
417-883-2775

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Retail Confectioners International (RCI) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the confectionery industry.  Based in Springfield, MO, RCI has represented the interests of confectionery manufacturing retailers and promoted public interest in these products for over 100 years. RCI provides a forum for confectioners to network, share ideas and develop their candy-making and entrepreneurial skills.