“I loved my time, especially all of the hands-on activities. Everyone was well-informed and willing to discuss troubleshooting.”

“Wonderful course. Great people that are knowledgeable and responsive to questions. Will attend more courses.”

Thanks to all instructors for donating their time and knowledge!

Dr. Silvana Martini, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (formerly Utah State University), Gabe Eaton, Russell Stover, Wayne Houde, Russell Stover, Christina Jenkins, Barry Callebaut, Rebecca Kuehn, Guittard Chocolate Company, Charles Quinto, Blommer Chocolate Company, Camille Woods, Blommer Chocolate Company

Check out more details about the course, including photos and press release here.

Thanks to our first-time course host!

Thanks to our attendee outing sponsor!

“I really enjoyed the presentations! The topics were varied enough to engage a wide audience and the level varied enough to engage newcomers to the industry and industry experts. And of course — everyone is so friendly and helpful!”

“As a supplier of the conference, we look to see who is attending and if we can learn anything from the meetings as well as make new contacts. We thought the supplier show was a success for us. The conference as a whole we also thought was good for learning and making connections.”

“2024 PMCA was excellent overall. This was my seventeenth consecutive year at PMCA, and I look forward to many more years attending!”

“The speakers’ quality and subject matter is always very professional and on point. It was again this year.”

Thank you to our Program Committee for pulling off yet another great conference! These volunteers dedicate their time and talents to creating an educational, fun program each year for attendees to learn, connect and grow as industry professionals. For more info on speakers, photos and other details, check out our 77th Conference highlights page.

” I enjoyed the welcome event. It was a great way to meet the other students and mentors. I thought the breakout session was helpful in providing tips on applying for jobs and networking.”

“I loved having the chance to interact casually with the other students at the beginning of the program…Carly was an incredible mentor, and I am so grateful for her! She helped introduce me to many people and made it easy to feel confident in myself and my capabilities.”

Thanks to the Student Outreach Committee for putting together a fun, informative program for the next generation of confectionery professionals. Thank you, mentors, for sharing your time and experience with students to give them a sneak peek into the industry.

To make sure everyone had a chance to ask questions, we kept attendance for this informal Q&A session on the smaller side. We’re happy to say we reached full capacity! Thanks to our panelists Judy Cooley, Global Confection Connections, LLC and Kristi Sufferling, Suff Solutions Inc. as well as our moderator Kim Stangl, The Hershey Company.

This offering was presented by our New Confectioners Welcome Committee and was so popular that we’ll be running another one next winter!

Thanks to all our sponsors for your support! We appreciate your generous contributions that help make our events possible.

PMCA staff Brandy Kresge and Rachel Halkias traveled to Atlantic City, NJ for RCAP’s Philly Candy Show in September. In October, PMCA COO Yvette Thomas represented the association in Oak Brook, IL for the AACT National Technical Seminar. We value our relationships with other industry associations and love connecting with friends — and making new ones.

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During our Annual Meeting of Members held Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at the 77^th Annual Production Conference, members ratified the slate of officers and directors for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024.

Shawn Houser-Fedor, The Hershey Company was elected vice president. Steve Genzoli, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company transitioned to chair of the board and Cynthia Angelo, Givaudan Flavors transitioned to president. Ed Minson, retired, Tate & Lyle continues to serve as treasurer. Thank you to our outgoing chair, Tom Houlihan, Guittard Chocolate Company for his years of exemplary service as an officer.

Chair of the Board
Steve Genzoli
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

President
Cynthia Angelo
Givaudan Flavors

Vice President
Shawn Houser-Fedor
The Hershey Company

Treasurer
Ed Minson
Retired, Tate & Lyle

We also welcomed Sarah Woodling Houle, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company as the newest member of the PMCA Board of Directors.

The Pennsylvania State University named Cynthia Loi as the recipient of the thirteenth PMCA/PSU Fellowship Award. She presented her research on Sensory-Guided Investigation of Cocoa Polyphenol-Induced Astringency at the 77th Annual Production Conference as a breakout session.

Marie Kelso Memorial Award

Award Chair Sarah Houle, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company presented the award to Jenna Derhammer, Blommer Chocolate Company. She is the twenty-sixth recipient of the Marie Kelso Memorial Award for her presentation titled There’s No Sugarcoating It: Formulating with Alternative Sugar Ingredients in Chocolate, which she presented Tuesday, April 18, 2023 during the 76^th Annual Production Conference. Learn more about the award here.

Distinguished Service Award

Dedicated PMCA volunteer Ed Wilson, retired from AAK, was named the third recipient of the PMCA Distinguished Service Award for his longtime outstanding service to PMCA. The award was presented by Rose Potts, Blommer Chocolate Company. Learn more about the award here.

Dennis L. Zak Education Award

Student Outreach Program participant Taelie Kennedy, Utah State University was the third recipient of the Dennis L. Zak Education Award. The award seeks to honor Dennis Zak’s love for science, learning, mentoring and confections by recognizing the PMCA student participant who most exhibits these qualities. It is bestowed by Karen Zak and presented at the PMCA Annual Production Conference. Students who are chosen do not know they are the recipient until the award presentation during the annual dinner.

Cheers to 20 Years

In a surprise acknowledgement of appreciation, PMCA COO Yvette Thomas recognized staff member Brandy Kresge for her 20 years of service to PMCA.

Are you getting our emails? If not, reach out to us to be added to our member distribution list so you won’t miss a thing!

Distinguished Service Award Nomination Period
Opens Sept. 1, 2024
Learn More

Panning Course
Nov. 12-15, 2024
Paulaur Corporation | Cranbury, NJ
Learn More/Register

Troubleshooting Q&A Session
Presented by the New Confectioners Welcome Committee
Coming this winter

78th Annual Production Conference
April 7-9, 2025
Lancaster, PA
Learn More

Thank you, volunteers! We are so grateful for your time and dedication to PMCA and the confectionery industry. You embody the essence of LEARN. CONNECT. GROW.

For a full list of all committee members, visit this page. 

Education & Learning Committee Co-Chairs
Randy Hofberger, R&D Candy Consultants
Eric Schmoyer, Barry Callebaut

Marketing Committee Chair
Angie Sanchez, ofi

Membership Committee Chair
Ed Wilson, retired, AAK

New Confectioners Welcome Committee Chair
Elizabeth Macks, UTZ Brands, Inc.

Nominations Committee Chair
Eric Schmoyer, Barry Callebaut

Production Conference Program Committee Chair
Judy Cooley, Global Confection Connections, LLC

Research Committee Chair
Jenna Derhammer, Blommer Chocolate Company

Student Outreach Committee Chair
Carly Meck, Blommer Chocolate Company

Western Region Committee Chair
Rebecca Kuehn, Guittard Chocolate Company

For a list of the PMCA Board of Directors, visit this page.

Project Manager & Operations Assistant
Brandy Kresge

Chief Operations Officer
Yvette Thomas

Marketing Projects Manager & Operations Assistant
Rachel Halkias