2002 International Cocoa Event

The 12 – 16 September 2002 Concoction also associated FCC in a 4-day event in Strasburg, France, gathering the whole international cocoa community.

Palais Rohan

The location befitted the first of its kind get-together of the European Cocoa world, also attended by participants and guests from the Origin countries, and from North America . The gathering of 125 business leaders from 21 countries on all continents included not only ECA and FCC members, but also participants belonging to CAOBISCO, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA), the Cocoa Merchants Association of America (CMAA) and the Confectionery Manufacturers of Canada (CMAC).

The Event took its turn in the annual rotation of European Cocoa Dinners, yet follows a different, innovative concept, blending a contracts Convention, a discussion Forum, some leisure and networking time, together with a Gala Dinner. The latter was held in the historical Palais Rohan.

The speakers, from the entire cocoa chain – from COPAL and the Origin countries, to retailers and MARKS & SPENCER -, covered current issues of interest to all. Ms Hannah Jones, NIKE's European Director of Corporate Responsibility, offered us benchmarking and prior experience.

The event was immediately followed, at the same location, by a Global Industry Group meeting, and in Geneva, by the first Board meeting of the International Cocoa Initiative.