Chocovision 2016 aimed to create intense debates around the future of the chocolate value chain by uniting industry leaders, government officials and cocoa farmers in a small Swiss village high up in the mountains. But living in today’s world full of talk but no action, I was particularly curious to hear how key stakeholders drive sustainability on the ground every day. Are we doing the right things to the right extent and at the right speed?

Four months ago when I received the invitation from Barry Callebaut’s CEO, Antoine Saint-Affrique, to attend CHOCOVISION 2016 as part of a selected group of Barry Callebaut’s Graduate Trainees representing the Millennials, I was surprised and enthusiastic about it. But it was not until I lived the experience that I actually realized the true value of this opportunity.

The business leaders at Chocovision by now know Kate Robertson and One Young World, dubbed by CNN as the “junior Davos (WEF). 

When we think about children education and cocoa, sometimes the first thing that comes to mind is “how can we build schools for the children.” Is that the answer to all the industry’s problems and responsibilities?

Barry Parkin, Chairman World Cocoa Foundation; Chief Sustainability and Health Wellbeing Officer, Mars Incorporated picked a few things from the various sessions under “CocoaAction two years later.”

Dr Jason Clay, SVP, Markets and Executive Director, The Markets Institute, World Wildlife Fund, stressed on the emergency on the food production: the food we are going to consume in the next 40 years will equal to the food we consumed in the last 8,000 years. Facing the threats like climate change and deforestation, the way out is really through innovation and collaboration. 

The first full day of 2016’s Chocovision up in the mountains in Davos, Switzerland, got off to a blistering start, with a number of key papers offering valuable insight into various aspects of not only the confectionery industry, but the food industry and even the business world as a whole.

Let’s talk digital and its inevitable impact on the consumer world. “In a space where everyone is figuring out how to master digital, let’s identify what the opportunities are in the consumer world.” These words alone spoken by Till Dudler from Accenture were enough to spark everyone’s attention. 

There’s something enjoyable about listening to Lord Michael Hastings. The global head of corporate citizenship at professional services firm KPMG, speaking at the opening of Chocovision 2016, first got the audience to think where chocolate companies sit in some of the more popular sustainable rankings.

As you know, today is DAY ONE of CHOCOVISION 2016. We have been following one of our millennials, Franklin Franco, who has journeyed from from Ilheus, Brazil, all the way to Davos, Switzerland, to attend CHOCOVISION. All the pictures in this blogpost were taken from Snapchat. So, here are a couple of snaps from his journey.

Since CHOCOVISION 2016 is happening tomorrow, here are 5 cool facts about CHOCOVISION 2016 you should definitely know about!

Two years ago, I found myself in front of 200 people, representing the ‘Next Generation’ at Chocovision 2014. The atmosphere was one of optimism about the future of the industry – working towards making it greener and fairer. Two years on we must revisit these hopes we expressed and the commitments we made...

CHOCOVISION invites millennials to its first ever Twitter chat with industry leaders on the future of chocolate – join in via #AskChocovision on June 2, 2016, between 2-3pm CET (7-8am CDT / 8-9pm SGT).

Millennials represent an upcoming generation of future leaders, activists and entrepreneurs. Getting millennials involved in the conversations, debates and discussions around cocoa and chocolate is an important element in driving the progress we are working towards at Chocovision 2016.

Switzerland, the land of serene mountain scenery, known for its farms, banks, watches and of course, chocolates! Coming from a little countryside village, I must admit that I hardly defy the common “Swiss stereotypes”. I studied at a Swiss business school and naturally, interned in the financial services sector for a bit. Of course I received a Swiss watch as a graduation gift two years ago. My current job? Well, predictably, I am a chocolate-loving Swiss working for Barry Callebaut.

My childhood dream was to own a chocolate factory, like how Charlie did in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Born in China, and having graduated from a university in Singapore, I won a different kind of golden ticket. I was picked to be part of the Barry Callebaut’s reputable Graduate Trainee Program, which led me to work in Singapore and now in Belgium.

We are happy to welcome – again – Angus Kennedy as one of our guest writers at CHOCOVISION 2016. Angus has become a leading figure in the chocolate industry appearing last year on The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Al Jazeera Television in the United States. Angus has been featured in numerous media interviews as a ‘go-to’ for his extensive expertise in the global chocolate sector.

To close our reporting for today here, we wrap-up CHOCOVISION 2014 - referring to the closing remarks of Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, the initiator and organizer of CHOCOVISION.

You think of soap and shampoo, you probably think about Unilever – or at least, one of its brands. You think of corporate leaders in sustainability, and Paul Polman’s name would probably rank high in that list. Many of the press people who have interviewed him or people who have watched him talked, such as those at CHOCOVISION 2014, realized that Paul Polman, the CEO of Unilever, is truly passionate and determined to tackle big social and environmental problems like climate change, gender inequality, and poverty.

'Trade not aid and free trade and not fair trade' says Dr. Auma Obama very passionately on the closing speech today. I couldn't agree more and what with Marks and Spencer saying in their talk that they have heard it all before (sustainable programmes) and actually, what they see on ground level in the Ivory Coast is entirely different to what is promised...

What a great idea ...bringing students to provide opinion and thought to a conference. Part of the issue addressed was to tell us all to open our minds and look out and be more accepting to new ideas. Hey... we were even told off for not knowing what elance is!

KPMG’s John A. Morris reflects on the opportunities for growth and challenges facing the global chocolate industry in 2014, as its leaders convene at CHOCOVISION 2014.

"High expectations are the key to everything." That's what Sam Walton always claimed. And he should know as he turned a single dime store into Wal-Mart, the largest retailere in the world. What are the expectations of CHOCOVISION 2014 participants?

With this quote of the famous US actress Catherine Hepburn, four time winner of the Oscar and the most decorated actress in history, Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann found a very catching introduction to his opening speech. Next to Dr. Andreas Jacobs and FX De Mallmann he opened tonight CHOCOVISION 2014 in Davos.

OK, quick post before I leave for my flight from Heathrow tomorrow morning for this year’s CHOCOVISION 2014. And I am really looking forward to seeing not just the Alps of course – I live near London, so we don’t see this sort of thing much, but also to listen to the guest speakers on the opening night.

Meet Hollywood movie stars and world leaders at CHOCOVISION or just enjoy the conference and the beautiful, relaxing scenery – everything is possible in Davos.

OK so here is my rather less official-looking ‘opening address’ for Chocovision 2014 and firstly I must add that I do not normally look this cross when I am eating chocolate... as you clearly will see in my blog portrait pictured online. I am sure I will be much happier (and of course duly better informed) when you see me in Davos! Now let’s get down to the wonderful and magical business of chocolate.

We are happy to welcome Angus Kennedy as one of our guest bloggers her on the CHOCOVISION blog. Angus Kennedy has become a leading figure in the chocolate industry with regular media coverage in the national newspapers, International Radio and Television for his expertise in the global chocolate sector.

The decisions business and political leaders are taking today will have an impact on the generations to come. 4 students from 4 different parts of the world, all studying at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, will join CHOCOVISION 2014 talking about 4 different topics related to the cocoa and chocolate industry that matter to them.

The decisions business and political leaders are taking today will have an impact on the generations to come. 4 students from 4 different parts of the world, all studying at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, will join CHOCOVISION 2014 talking about 4 different topics related to the cocoa and chocolate industry that matter to them.

One of the trend reports that was launched at CHOCOVISION 2012, was KPMG’s Tomorrow’s chocolate: What today’s market can tell about the future, presented by KPMG’s European Head of Consumer Markets, John A. Morris. Since then, the report has been widely quoted, even recently, in various speeches and news report including those in CNBC.