On 3 and 4 April this year, the fashion capital Milan will be the place to be for the entire next-generation products (NGP) industry. The latest trends and products across four different theme zones, valuable interaction with decision-makers and experts in the industry plus an inspiring entertainment programme are set to make the EVO NXT business festival very special indeed. Added to this will be the opportunity to attend discussions, presentations, panels and workshops to gain in-depth information on the latest topics occupying minds in the industry. As well as the first exhibitors, the first big-name speakers and key topics are now also on the programme.

Dortmund, 17 January 2025 – The NGP industry is in a constant state of flux, with new trends and innovations coming onto the market in rapid succession and government regulations around the world constantly presenting the various players with significant new challenges. In order to support this still-young industry and promote dialogue among all players, Messe Dortmund launched EVO NXT, a business festival that represents a meaningful departure from traditional trade show concepts: a platform on which the future of the NGP sector is being shaped by those involved in it, and a forum that also fully reflects the current state of play and acts as a central go-to hub for gathering all essential information early-on.

One look at the line-up of the first confirmed speakers gives a flavour of the topics set to take centre stage this year. There will be contributions from prominent organisations and institutes, and of course from others including EVO NXT partners: as per last year, John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Association (UKVIA), and Jonas Lundqvist, CEO of the Nordic Nicotine Pouches Alliance (NNPA), will take part in the informative supporting programme along with Umberto Rocatti, Deputy Chairman of the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA). The Confédération Européenne des Détaillants en Tabac (C.E.D.T.) will use EVO NXT as a forum for providing industry players with key insights into the retail sector – including best practice examples from French tobacco retailers. Further expert contributions will be provided by TobaccoIntelligence (market and regulatory analyses, legal monitoring and quantitative data for the global tobacco and nicotine alternatives sector) and Euromonitor (market research on consumer goods, economic sectors, demographic trends and lifestyles in Germany).

Another confirmation has already been received from Dr Jessica Zdinak, Senior Scientist and CEO of the Applied Research and Analysis Company, LLC (ARAC), a US-based behavioural science research company that designs, conducts and presents scientifically sound yet customisable studies to assist manufacturers, regulators and industry consultants. Confirmations have also come in from Frank Henkler-Stephani, Senior Director Tobacco Harm Reduction at the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Next-Generation Products (BVTE), and from Marc Reisner, Editor-in-Chief of trade journal Tabak Zeitung (DTZ).

It's therefore already clear that topics such as regulation and legal restrictions, trends and market analyses/overviews will be key focal points at EVO NXT.

EVO NXT an official member of GINN

A new partnership involving EVO NXT is set to provide even more professional input, with the show now an official member of the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN). The membership-based association and its director Shem Baldeosingh are committed to promoting common standards, innovation, research and advocacy in the field of novel nicotine products. GINN supports the development and introduction of lower-risk alternatives such as nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn products to offer adult consumers across the world a potentially safer choice of products. To this end, the association works with consumers, policy makers, scientific and technical researchers, product innovators and the industry as a whole to tackle regulatory challenges, promote harm reduction and encourage responsible product development.

This all goes to make it an ideal partner when it comes to providing trade visitors and exhibitors at EVO NXT with industry-specific knowledge and the latest insights. Among other things, a panel discussion is planned in collaboration with GINN to discuss the draft Code of Practice which the association is set to present in February. It will address the use of nicotine pouches. The association is also planning an event on research into oral health in connection with nicotine pouches.



As the EVO NXT programme begins to take shape, work is also in full swing to sign up interesting exhibitors. Companies such as Dholakia Tobacco, Absolute E-Juice, Blendfeel, Narcos, Luna Corporate and Cannashock have already registered their stands.