You just know it’s going to be a good trade show when it’s called Sweets&Snacks.

The annual Expo returned to Chicago for the first time in three years and had plenty of sweet surprises in the branding and design department. Billed as an essential pitstop for the snacking set, thousands of confectionery and snack brands and retailers come peddling their wares with many a free sample. You’ll find plenty of start-ups and snacking product innovations at a dizzying rate, and did we mention the samples? There are lots of samples.

Amongst all the nut-butter-filled chocolates, indulgent cookies, new wave gummies, and innovative salmon-skin snacks (you read that right), we’ve highlighted 11 standout brands.