Fine Chocolate Industry Association
www.FineChocolateIndustry.org
5644 36th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98126 USA
+001 206 577 9983
Gallery Showcase FAQ Sheet
What is the Gallery Showcase?
The Gallery Showcase is a 90 minute focused session during the FCIA’s winter program designed to allow chocolate
professionals to learn about your product and services. Think of it as a mini-tradeshow. Event attendees consist of
chocolatiers, chocolate-makers, gourmet retailers, bloggers and writers and other related industry professionals.
The Gallery Showcase is a great forum to meet existing customers, build relationships with new customers, and promote
your products and services to a focused group of 150+ chocolate professionals.
Who participates in the Gallery Showcase?
Any chocolate professional can participate in the Gallery Showcase.
In the past, participants included
- Atelier Ortega (chocolatier)
- Brooklyn Cacao (small batch winnowers & other
chocolate making equipment)
- Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate (chocolate supplier)
- Choclatique (chocolatier)
- Cibeli Chocolates (chocolatier)
- Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates (chocolatier)
- Cocoa Plum (chocolatier)
- Coco Town (small-batch melanguers)
- Findood.com (online 24x7 specialty food tradeshow)
- Madecasse (chocolatier)
- Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (chocolate maker)
- Patric Chocolates (chocolate maker)
- Providence Packaging (shipping supplies)
- Recchiuti Confections (chocolatier)
- Revere Group (custom and stock packaging supplies)
- Savage Bros (sells chocolate making equipment)
- Sweet Paradise Chocolatier (chocolatier)
- TCHO (chocolate maker)
As a chocolate manufacturer, equipment supplier, packaging designer/manufacturers, chocolatier or small-batch
chocolate-maker the Gallery Showcase is a fantastic way to promote your product and services to a room full of your
target customers.
Who typically attends the FCIA event and Gallery Showcase?
Event attendees consist of chocolatiers, chocolate-makers, gourmet retailers, bloggers and writers and other related
industry professionals (educators, marketing specialists, etc.).
The Gallery Showcase is a great forum to meet existing customers, build relationships with new customers, and promote
your products and services to a focused group of 150+ chocolate professionals. In addition to the event itself, Gallery
participants also receive promotion via our newsletters, website, event program and social media (Twitter and
FaceBook) tweets and posts.
How many attendees do you expect?
Our events continue to grow. We are estimating 150+ chocolate professionals at our winter event in San Francisco on
Saturday January 15, 2011.
How much does it cost to participate?
We offer 2 options:


Single Display Space (2’ diameter tall cocktail round or ½ of a 6’ classroom style table – depending on what the
caterer can supply): $250* (includes event registration for one person)
Large Display/Demo Station (minimum of 6’ x6’ space where you can display larger pieces of equipment,
additional products, or host a demo): $500** (includes event registration for two people)
Space location is provided on a first come – first serve basis.
*Fee is waived for Member Sponsors and one additional event ticket is provided.
** Fee is discounted 30% for Member Sponsors and 2 additional event tickets are provided.
Learn more about becoming a Member Sponsor.
What else do I have to bring if I decide to participate?
Spaces will be preset for you and tables will be draped in white. Our event venue’s do not typically allow us to attach
signage to the walls, so we provide one clear table-top acrylic sign holder (8-1/2” x 11”) for each showcase space. Please
bring two 8-1/2”x11” color copies of your sign to put into this holder. If you’ve chosen the large display/demo station,
you are welcome to bring your own signs and stands (we regret that this is not an option for the single display space).
Your event preparation checklist includes:
 2 color copies of an 8-1/2"x11" sign. These will go into a clear acrylic tabletop stand.
 Extension cords (please let us know if you plan or need to use electricity so that we can make sure all loose cords
are taped down for safety)
 Display set-up: stands, fabric, ribbon to decorate and personalize your space.
 Product
 Samples...if you plan to hand out samples, bring at least 175. We expect 150+ registered guests but our space
can accommodate walk-in guests and this has been known to happen in the past.
 If you reserve the large display/demo station, you can bring larger signage but you will need to bring a stand (we
cannot adhere anything to the hotel walls).
 Company information/marketing materials
 Business cards
Please let us know if you need to use the hotel freight elevator, there is a special entryway for this and we’ll need to
arrange access for you.
Do I have to pay the event registration if I want to attend the other activities scheduled in this event?
Each space includes at least one event registration (the large display/demo station includes 2 event registrations). Any
participants beyond this number are required to pay the additional event registration.
Single display space is waived for Member Sponsors and one additional event ticket is provided.
Large display/demo station fee is discounted 30% for Member Sponsors and 2 additional event tickets are provided.
Learn more about the Member Sponsorship level and benefit package.
What else do I get for participating in the Gallery Showcase?
In addition to the 90 minute focused segment of our event, your company will also be promoted on our website
(included in the Events section), in the pre-event email that go out to ~1000 chocolate professionals, in the event
program, and in the post event newsletters that go out to our members and friends.
Do I get to select my display location?
The first choice of spaces goes to our Member Sponsors participating in the Gallery Showcase. Once they’ve made their
selections, the remaining spaces are offered to participants based on the order in which they signed up for the
showcase. Contact MaryJo@FineChocolateIndustry.org to reserve your space.
What’s the event schedule?
Saturday January 15, 2011 in San Francisco
3:00-4:30PM Set-up display space
4:30-5:00PM Early guest arrival
5:00-6:30PM Gallery Showcase - Networking & Appetizer Bar (this all happens in the same room)
6:30-8:30PM Event educational program and the Recognition of Excellence Ceremony
8:30-10PM Industry cocktail party & open networking session
Notes: FCIA Members-only networking session runs from 4:00-5:00pm. Please plan to have someone man your space at
4:30PM. Even though the Gallery officially starts at 5:00PM, guests tend to arrive early.
I have other questions, who do I contact?
Contact MaryJo@FineChocolateIndustry.org. Please act quickly, space is limited!