Also in this series:
Anthony Myers
Here are some notable gatherings scheduled for the year:
Chocoa 2025
Dates: February 3–9, 2025
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Overview: Chocoa 2025, part of the Amsterdam Cocoa Week, will bring together global cocoa and chocolate industry leaders. The event features the Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference, Chocolate Makers’ Forum, and a Chocolate Festival, focusing on sustainability, market development, and consumer engagement.
World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting
Dates: March 19–20, 2025
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Theme: ‘Our Future: Resilience Through Sustainability’
Overview: This meeting will convene stakeholders committed to a sustainable cocoa and chocolate supply chain. Discussions will focus on resilience, climate impact, agroforestry, and regenerative farming, with opportunities for exchanges and field visits to Brazilian cocoa farms.
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State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC)
Dates: March 2-4, 2025
Location: Miami, USA
Overview: Designed exclusively for the confectionery industry – chocolate and candy manufacturers, brokers, suppliers, and VIP retail/wholesale customers – NCA’s State of the Industry Conference is a prime opportunity to gather confectionery industry insights, make business-building connections throughout the supply chain, and learn from other industry leaders.
European Cocoa Association (ECA) European Cocoa Forum
Dates: September 16–18, 2025
Location: Radisson Golden Sands, Malta
Overview: The European Cocoa Forum will address compelling topics for the cocoa sector and beyond, offering networking opportunities and discussions with high-level professionals from the cocoa and chocolate industries.
TRADE SHOWS
The confectionery and chocolate industry in 2025 is also set to feature several prominent trade shows worldwide, offering platforms for industry professionals to showcase products, network, and explore emerging trends. Here are some of the major events scheduled for the year:
International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) 2025
Dates: February 2–5, 2025
Location: Cologne, Germany
Overview: As the world’s largest trade fair for confectionery and snacks, ISM covers the entire spectrum of the confectionery industry, including chocolate, sugar confectionery, biscuits, snack items, and ice cream. It is a pivotal platform for professionals to discover new products and innovations.
ProSweets Cologne 2025
Dates: February 2–5, 2025
Location: Cologne, Germany
Overview: Held concurrently with ISM, ProSweets is the international supplier fair for the confectionery industry, focusing on ingredients, packaging, and processing technologies. It complements ISM by providing insights into the supply side of confectionery production.
Expo Sweet 2025
Dates: February 16–19, 2025
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Overview: As Poland’s largest confectionery and ice cream industry fair, Expo Sweet showcases a wide range of products and technologies, providing opportunities for networking and business development. 
The Sweets & Snacks Expo
Dates: May 13-15, 2025
Location: Indianapolis, USA
Overview: A premier trade event for North America's confectionery and snack industries with a worldwide influence. It presents a significant opportunity for professionals in the confectionery and snack industries to discover new products, gain industry insights, and build valuable business connections.
Salon of Cacao and Chocolate Lima, Perú
Dates: July 15 - 18, 2025
Overview: Since 2010, with the support of the Public, Private and International Cooperation Sectors, the 'Cocoa and Chocolate Show' has been held in the capital, where producer organizations, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and exporters of cocoa and derivatives have been positioning themselves in national and international markets.
Speciality Chocolate Fair 2025
Dates: September 9–10, 2025
Location: London, United Kingdom
Overview: The UK’s only trade event dedicated to artisan chocolate, this fair offers a focused platform for showcasing luxury and gourmet chocolates to top buyers.
Salon du Chocolat Paris 2025
Dates: October 29 to November 2, 2025
Location: Paris, France
Overview: A premier event for chocolate enthusiasts and professionals, featuring exhibitors worldwide, demonstrations, and the famous chocolate fashion show.
COURSES
Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC) Training Courses
Managing the Price Risk of Physical Cocoa through the Futures Market
Dates: April 28–29, 2025
Overview: Provided by ICE and the FCC, this course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of cocoa price risk and utilize futures contracts as a strategic tool for hedging against adverse price movements.
Introduction to Cocoa
Dates: June 16–18, 2025
Overview: An introductory course covering various aspects of the cocoa industry.
Location: London
Introduction to Contract Terms & Arbitration
Dates: 18-20 June, 2025
Location: London
Overview: This course focuses on contract terms and arbitration procedures relevant to the cocoa trade.
Official: The Top 10 Most Influential People in Cocoa & Chocolate 2024
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