How do you convince customers to choose ethically sourced, well-made chocolate?
With Big Chocolate’s reach, shifting consumers to craft chocolate takes strategy. While industry efforts drive change, small, thoughtful approaches can make the biggest impact.
What motivates chocolate customers and why. (Hint: We all want the same thing!) How to meet their needs and keep them coming back. Steph will share tailored strategies for each "level" of chocolate eater. How to analyze what’s working and plan your next steps with confidence.
Presented by Steph Ericjoy Date: Saturday, February, 15, 2025 Time: 10 am – 12 Noon EST Location: Virtual
The Chocolate Expo features tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider, mead and more, which varies by state) and ready-to-eat foods from 50-90 vendor booths, depending on location. Entertainment can include demos, interactive presentations and amazing balloon sculptures by world-renowned balloon artist Robby Furman, plus fun for children in our “Kidz Zone” with face painting and balloon twisting.
(Because Another Year of "Almost" Hitting Your Business Goals Isn't an Option)
Transform your business goals from wishful thinking into inevitable success. Join the exclusive ULTIMATE GOAL MASTERY SYSTEM live workshop with other committed business owners to master the science of achievement.
In the Workshop You'll Master:
The "Inevitable Achievement Framework" - A bulletproof system that makes hitting your biggest goals feel like following a recipe.
The "Time Multiplier Method" - How top Business Owners get 2x results in half the time (this alone will transform your business).
The "Strategic Acceleration Blueprint" - The counter-intuitive approach that turns procrastination into unstoppable momentum.
The "90-Day Quantum Leap" - One game-changing secret that helps business owners achieve annual goals in just one quarter.
Jennifer Dawn:
Jennifer Dawn helps business owners escape the hamster wheel of constant “doing”, unpredictable cash flow, and misaligned teams, empowering them to create thriving businesses they actually love.
As a three-time seven-figure business builder (achieved by less than 2% of women entrepreneurs), she's helped over 50,000 business owners rediscover the joy in entrepreneurship while scaling their businesses.
She’s the creator of Best Planner Ever, and author of two books, The Joy Guide: Finding Your Joy In A World of Crap, and The Apple Stand: How To Rekindle The Love for Your Business.
Jennifer is a Profit First certified coach and host of the Happy Productive podcast. She began her entrepreneurial career at age 8 selling apples off her grandfather’s tree because a lemonade stand was so “yesterday”.
Date: February 26, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual via Zoom (Register to get the link!)
Cost:â
Members - FREE - A benefit of your FCIA membership!
We are excited to invite you to the FCIA’s Spring Gathering: A Celebration of Scaling Up!
Join us for an exclusive tour of the new KahKow factory and store, and an insightful conversation as we kick off 2025 and look toward the future of our association and the specialty chocolate and cacao industry.
Gather with fellow members, old and new, and connect with other chocolate enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Hear directly from a variety of award-winning chocolate makers about the trials and challenges of scaling up. Learn about the threads, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of cocoa production and chocolate manufacturing.
Panelists: Massimiliano Wax and Nadia Rizek, Kahkow
Dahlia Graham, Co-Founder/CEO, Fruition Chocolate Works
Daniel Maloney, Co-Founder/Chocolate Maker, Sol Cacao
Panel facilitator: Dr. Maricel E. Presilla, Founder, Gran Cacao Americas, IICCT, and the International Chocolate Awards
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Date: Thurs. Mar. 20th 2025
Time: 3-7 P.M.
Location: New Kahkow Factory, Warehouse, and Shop
Maplewood, NJ *Exact location to be shared upon ticket purchase
Transportation may be provided from Manhattan and back if you need (more details will be shared upon receipt of your RSVP); street parking is available.
Refreshments, savory, and sweet tidbits will be provided by KahKow USA.
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This is a ticketed event; all proceeds will go to the FCIA Programming.
Members: $25
Non-members: $50
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Schedule:
2:30 PM Shuttles depart from Manhattan
3:30 PM Welcome Toast: guests will be greeted with a welcome toast
4:00 PM Panel on Scaling Up + Q&A
5:00 PM Town Hall Discussion on the Future of FCIA
5:30 PM Exclusive Look Around New Kah Kow Factory / Networking Opportunity
6:30 PM Shuttles depart for Javits Center
Please reach out to Cathy Ford, Manager of Member Services at C.Ford@finechocolateindustry.org if you have any questions.
Salon du Chocolat is a unique global event that celebrates the world of chocolate in the heart of New York City. This event brings together chocolatiers, artisans, pastry chefs, experts, and businesses throughout the world who have one thing in common: their passion for all things chocolate. They will entertain and amaze with a cornucopia of delectable products, and exhibit their craft, culture, and knowledge in an expertly curated, experiential venue.
It’s a perfect event for family fun, a group experience, a unique date destination, or just some invaluable “me” time to discover exclusive vendors not available anywhere else. Indulge in sample tastings, shop, take a perfect selfie, and most importantly, have fun with chocolate in all its forms.
Unlock the hidden profit potential in your business with our exclusive Cash Flow Mastery Workshop.
In the Workshop You'll Master:
How to optimize your COGS, streamline overhead, manage debt strategically, and pay yourself what you're truly worth. Don't let financial confusion hold your business back any longer. This is your chance to gain the insider knowledge that separates struggling businesses from thriving ones.
Date & Time: March 26, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Cost:
Free for Members
$75 for Non-Members
Jennifer Dawn:
Jennifer Dawn helps business owners escape the hamster wheel of constant “doing”, unpredictable cash flow, and misaligned teams, empowering them to create thriving businesses they actually love.
As a three-time seven-figure business builder (achieved by less than 2% of women entrepreneurs), she's helped over 50,000 business owners rediscover the joy in entrepreneurship while scaling their businesses.
She’s the creator of Best Planner Ever, and author of two books, The Joy Guide: Finding Your Joy In A World of Crap, and The Apple Stand: How To Rekindle The Love for Your Business.
Jennifer is a Profit First certified coach and host of the Happy Productive podcast. She began her entrepreneurial career at age 8 selling apples off her grandfather’s tree because a lemonade stand was so “yesterday”. more info...
The Chocolate Expo features tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider, mead and more, which varies by state) and ready-to-eat foods from 50-90 vendor booths, depending on location. Entertainment can include demos, interactive presentations and amazing balloon sculptures by world-renowned balloon artist Robby Furman, plus fun for children in our “Kidz Zone” with face painting and balloon twisting.
With over 200 vendors, 6 stages, 250,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities, and attracting over 22,000 attendees, this is the world's largest festival dedicated to chocolate, coffee, and gourmet foods.
Come discover exquisite chocolates, coffees, teas, candies, baked goods and delectable surprises from small craft businesses from around the world.
Take a deep dive into culinary arts with hands-on classes, tastings, and demonstrations conducted by award winning chefs, chocolatiers, coffee roasters, & baristas.
Enjoy non-stop music from the region's best bands.
You're invited to join us for the Penn State Chocolate Short Course 2025 .
WHEN: June 16 - 20, 2025
WHERE: 252 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building
Penn State Department of Food Science is proud to offer a Bean-to-Bar course for both craft and industrial chocolate manufacturers.
During this 5-day course, successful craft chocolate entrepreneurs, equipment manufacturers, and Penn State faculty will instruct you in the theory and practice of chocolate production from the selection of raw materials through the marketing of finished product. Of value to those with both technical and non-technical duties, attendees will engage minds and hands to gain detailed knowledge of chocolate processing.
The Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) is excited to invite you to be part of the FCIA Partner Pavilion at the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show, taking place June 29 – July 1, 2025, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. This is the largest specialty food industry event in North America, bringing together thousands of buyers, distributors, and industry professionals.
For fine chocolate companies looking to expand their reach, the FCIA Pavilion offers a prime opportunity to showcase your brand alongside other premium chocolate makers in a high-visibility section of the show floor.
Booth Options & Costs
FCIA’s pavilion will feature two booth size options:
5' x 10' Booth: $2,350Includes:
One 4’ draped table (24” W x 42” H)
Two stools
One wastebasket
Booth carpet
Three complimentary exhibitor badges
50 lbs of complimentary drayage (material handling)
10' x 10' Booth: $4,700 ($650 additional for corner booths) Includes:
Two 6’ draped tables (24” W x 30” H)
Two folding chairs
One wastebasket
Booth carpet
Five complimentary exhibitor badges
100 lbs of complimentary drayage (material handling)
Exclusive Benefits for FCIA Pavilion Exhibitors
One year of complimentary Tier 1 SFA membership ($400 value) for participating companies who are not already Specialty Food Association (SFA) members.
Opportunity to participate in a 30-45 minute education session at the show.
Inclusion in a pre-show SFA Promoted Product email reaching over 30,000 industry buyers, retailers, and distributors.
High-visibility FCIA-branded pavilion area on the show floor, drawing attention to your fine chocolate brand.
Exclusive networking opportunities with specialty food buyers, retailers, and industry professionals.
Why Exhibit in the FCIA Pavilion?
Being part of the FCIA Pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show means positioning your brand at the heart of the specialty food industry’s premier event. With direct access to buyers, distributors, and retailers, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your chocolate to decision-makers actively seeking premium products. The pavilion offers unparalleled visibility within the show, allowing exhibitors to stand out in a dedicated fine chocolate section. This is more than just an exhibit space—it’s an opportunity to leverage FCIA’s strong industry connections, gain media exposure, and build relationships that can take your business to the next level. If you are looking to grow your presence in the fine chocolate market, this is the place to be.
Don’t Miss Out! Secure Your Booth Today! The Deadline is March 8th, 2025!
We are excited to present the world’s top education workshops, the best chocolate exhibitors, and indulgent chocolate tastes!
Acclaimed as the TOP SHOW for CHOCOLATE in North America and one of the best shows for Chocolate in the world for the past 15-years running – we are proud to “Celebrate and Educate the Chocolate Lover in All” for Two Full Days in October with you.
Location: Meydenbauer Center
11100 NE 6th ST, Bellevue WA 98004
The Secaucus Coffee & Chocolate Festival is a celebration of all things coffee and chocolate related… and then some! Attendees will sample a variety of coffee roasts and styles, along with a multitude of decadent chocolate-themed sweets from local and surrounding area businesses. Join local coffee shops, gourmet roasters, artisan chocolatiers, wineries, bakeries, and so much more. Explore additional exhibitors and their products and purchase items to take home. What better way to kick off the holiday season?
Where: Meadowlands Exposition Center - 355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094