Why join AACT?
The American Association of Candy Technologist (AACT) or “Candy Technologist” is a hybrid national + regional community of technical professionals built around a mutual interest in the science of candy making. Our organization of individually sponsored members (we are not corporate sponsored) means our focus is purely on sharing technical confectionery insights and making lasting professional and social connections within our sweet industry. We even have a monthly technical magazine/ publication that goes out to all national members helping you stay abreast of the industry.
How we prioritize our members’ interests:
- Our unique structure of local chapters plus a national board means there is a wide gradient of volunteer opportunities network with confectionery technical peer professionals
- Professional mentor pairing assistance
- Technical presentations including round table discussions on functional ingredients, sensory testing, bench top methods, and even some marketing trends.
- Hosting technical and business-acumen speakers from our own membership
- Recognition dinners celebrating members who have made significant contributions to our technical community
- Up close candy making demonstrations
- Iron Confectioner Competition – like Iron Chef but sweeter!
- Behind the scenes tours of candy factories & ingredient manufacturers
- Regional chapter BBQs
- Equipment & ingredient trade shows
- Walking tours of historic candy making communities
- Plan future events based on direct interest request from attendees
Our annual National Technical Seminar is a chance for members to network beyond their local chapters and learn or refresh technical confectionery skills. We aim to host events and set the tone where the in-person connections are more personally meaningful and engaging. AACT actively seeks to complement instead of competing with the other large food professional organizations by limiting the direct marketing and catering more to peer and mentoring relationships. Some regional IFT sections partner with AACT to share joint meetings. While you can be a member of just a local chapter, we invite you to recognize the benefits of national membership along with participation in your local regional chapter.