Chocolate Makers UnConference 2024
10th Annual Conference, Bellevue WA, USA
October 3-4, 2024
Hotel discount for attendees is now available.
Let's build
Welcome to the hub of the craft chocolate industry.
2024 marks the 10th Annual UnConference gathering of the artisan chocolate and cacao community.
This gathering, rooted in all things chocolate and cacao, is designed for the chocolate professional.
Bring questions, share experience, collaborate with colleagues, network with new friends, celebrate the community, and grow your vision.
Celebrate + Educate + Connect
Chocolate Makers UnConference
2024 Program Schedule
Cacao Sourcing
Let's journey to the origins of cacao and discuss the best practices for sourcing quality materials for chocolate making. From soil management to fermentation systems, these sessions will look at the supply chain for quality cocoa.
Business Scaling
Draw a map from small scale nano-batch systems to large format grinders, up to large ball mill systems and the steps in between. Join the discussion on how to grow your bean to bar chocolate production facility. Experts on-site.
Sensory Analysis
Practice and learn the techniques of sensory analysis for artisan chocolate. Get first-hand insight into the essential skills for quality control in bean to bar chocolate. Learn to translate chocolate evaluation into cacao grading. Blind tasting sessions and workshops.
Marketing & Sales
The heartbeat of every chocolate company is the customer. Explore the fundamentals of marketing and get tips from industry experts on how to cultivate sales. If you are selling retail, online and through distributors - there are best practices to discover at every level of the artisan chocolate business.
Women in Chocolate
Each year we host a special session for women-in-chocolate. These sessions are intended to build a vibrant community, to be a platform for skill sharing, and to create professional networks through meaningful social connections.
Media & Social Platforms
Do you need to be dancing around with chocolate bars in front of the camera? Talk with media influencers and marketing professionals on how to connect with customers and maximize engagement on todays social platforms.
New Technology
Learn about the latest advancements in technology for artisan chocolate manufacture. From refinement and tempering to packaging. Find out if there is a new technology that you need for business growth.
Product Formulation
Talk with Award Winning Chocolate Makers about the process of batch testing and formulating new products. From single origin bars to cutting edge inclusions, we discuss the best practices for new products.
Program details:
Each Track listed above will have sessions dedicated to the topic at the UnConference. You may select a track and you will have access to other tracks. There will be time to attend open sessions, activities, happy-hour and after-parties.
Join chocolate professionals from around the world in two days of learning, networking, sharing, and creating the future for artisan chocolate.
REGISTER TODAY
Chocolate Makers UnConference
All UnConference Passes include a full Weekend Pass to the Northwest Chocolate Festival.
2024 UNCONFERENCE
Open Sessions & Topic Tracks
Here's how the 2024 UnConference session tracks are designed.
This two-day professional event features expert driven seminars alongside peer-generated strategy and solutions.
- Select sessions that align with your objectives.
- Attend workshops on topics to learn, engage, and meet other professionals.
- Explore all the topics that ignite your business vision throughout both days.
Bring questions, share experience, collaborate with colleagues, network with new friends, and grow your business plan and vision.
Special Friday sessions
The WIC sessions at the UnConference are designed to support the leadership, growth, and resilience of professionals in the industry. We host special sessions on Friday.
After Party - Industry Only
Join us at the industry after party. All professionals with an UnConference Pass are invited to the party. Stay tuned for details as the event dates approach.
Join us for two-days of networking, skill share, deep conversations, and professional workshops.
October 3, 2024
8:00am-5:00pm, sessions
October 4, 2024
8:00am-5:00pm, sessions
Festival Preview, 5:00pm-7:00pm
