CHICAGO - Twenty seven Chinese companies attended the 2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago on May 22-24, and put on display, their new innovative products.

Hosted by the National Confectioners Association, the show is an international event held on an annual basis in Chicago from 2003, which attracted more than 800 exhibitors and nearly 18,000 candy and snack professionals this year.

Sitting in the stall surrounded by colorful gummies on display, Scarlett Hong, executive director of Fujian Hollywood Foods Industrial Co Ltd under China Candy Holdings Limited, displayed their new product: 3D gummy.

It's the first time that the company attend the event. "We are here to meet old customers and develop new customers," Hong told Xinhua.

Founded in 2000, Hong's company mainly produces gummies and candies modelled after cartoon figures, which are sold both in China and abroad.

Brusco Trading Co Ltd, another company based in Shenzhen, rented a stall to display its lollipops. They demonstrated to onlookers, on how to use the Selfiepop that the company develops.

It is a selfie with a lollipop erected at the top. Whenever the shutter is clicked, the cover on the top will open, unveiling a lollipop, according to Brusco.

Brusco has opened offices in Hong Kong and in the state of Illinois in the United States.

Dongguan City Jingli Can Co Ltd and Dongguan Glory Tins Manufactory displayed candy tins and cans of various shapes and colors. The company has already been a tin supplier for the world famous sweets producer Hershey Chocolate.

Besides unveiling thousands of new products and highlighting the latest trends in treats and snacks, Always A Treat Initiative is also highlighted at the show. Announced by America's leading chocolate and candy companies at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo, which is aiming to provide consumers with more information, options and support as they enjoy their favorite treats.

Confection is a big industry in the United States, creating jobs for around 55,000 workers in more than 1,000 manufacturing facilities across the country.

It also creates more than 400,000 jobs in agriculture, retail, transportation and other industries which rely in part on the sale of confectioneries for their livelihood. For each job that is created by confectionery companies, another seven are supported in related industries.