PMCA || An International Association of Candy Manufacturers

Currently PMCA has 405 Member Companies representing 30 different countries.

PMCA’s mission is to; provide an open forum for the free exchange of information, promote and direct basic and applied scientific research and educate and train confectionery technical personnel worldwide.

PMCA’s fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30 of each year.

In 2007 PMCA celebrated its 100^th Anniversary.

PMCA’s membership includes small, medium and large manufacturers as well as suppliers of ingredients, equipment, consulting services, flavors, packaging, trade publications and more.

PMCA also includes in its membership, other trade associations as well as retired members of the industry.

PMCA recently published a confectionery history book highlighting not only the history of the association during its first 100 years but also a history of confectionery products and companies.

PMCA also recently released the “Back to Basics” training series book which is a compilation of high quality articles on the technology of major technical processes.

PMCA offers an online database of technical articles from past conferences which can be downloaded from the PMCA website and purchased for $15.00 per article.

PMCA’s extensive Research Library, which is available to members only, offers books and research papers for a $5.00 lending fee.

PMCA Member benefits include:

Company information published in the Member Directory
Receipt of the Member Directory
Receipt of the Member News Update, published once a year
Discounted rates on:
Ability to exhibit at the Annual Production Conference.
Participation in the Annual Member Golf Tournament
Sponsorship opportunities
Peer networking and committee participation opportunities
Access to the Member Research Library
Opportunities to support the technological advancements of the industry

Production Conference highlights:

PMCA’s Annual Production Conference is the association’s signature event and is known as one of the premier technical conferences in the world.
The conference is attended by 900+ industry personnel both domestic and international.
The conference includes a half day supplier exhibit featuring up to 200 exhibitors.
The conference features a half day Basics and Beyound training series on varying technical processes.
The Annual Golf Tournament is held each year prior to the start of the conference.
Tuesday Evening dinner banquet includes award presentations and a keynote address speaker and activities.
PMCA distributes it’s highly anticipated “Candy Bag” following the Tuesday dinner – The candy bag is a robust collection of packaged candy donations from many companies. Remaining candy is donated to charity.
Full Conference Registrants receive a complimentary copy of the Conference Proceedings on CD-Rom which also includes past conference articles.

Short Course highlights:

PMCA short courses in confectionery technology provide scientific and hands on learning experiences for a variety of industry personnel.
The courses are usually 3-4 days in duration and are held at the facilities of a confectionery manufacturer or an approved university facility.
The courses are conducted by well-qualified instructors who are recognized “experts” in the field.
Courses are rotated each year and topics include:
Students receive a certificate of completion and a set of comprehensive course materials.

Research Program Highlights

PMCA’s Research committee oversees one of the association’s core areas.
PMCA provides grant in aid for confectionery related research projects at leading universities with top Food Science and related programs.
Results of the funded research are available free to PMCA members, and are often presented at the Annual Production Conference.