🚨 Immediate Action Required: FCIA's Future Depends on You! 🚨

The Fine Chocolate Industry Association is holding a critical membership assembly scheduled for July 24, 2024, at 11 AM ET USA (8 AM PT USA, 5 AM HI USA). 
 
REGISTER HERE!
 

FCIA has been facing challenges in meeting its financial requirements to sustain its operations. While we lowered membership dues last summer in hopes of making FCIA accessible and attracting a larger member base, we did not achieve our engagement goals. As a result, FCIA faces a severe funding shortfall that could lead to the organization's closure by the end of this summer. 

Your participation in this meeting is crucial. 

The discussion will cover the urgent need to fundraise, explore new and innovative revenue sources, and strategize ways to ensure the sustainability of FCIA. Together, we are certain to navigate this challenge and secure a prosperous future for our vibrant community. 

It is relevant to our Board and Team to take stock of what we have been able to achieve in the last year. We have hosted four in-person events in the states of Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, and Washington, gathering over 1000 professionals and enthusiasts live and online. We have hosted webinars on selected topics, such as the cadmium and lead emergency to the rising cacao prices, an in-person specialized symposium and full-sector conference, and networking events enabling meaningful connections and top-notch patisserie. 

FCIA has been the conduit through which many businesses have been able to attend festivals and shows with handsome discounts, such as the last edition of the Southwest Coffee and Chocolate Fest or the upcoming Salon du Chocolat NYC.  Needless to say, the extended legacy of your Association – 17 years – can certainly outweigh this challenge. For this, we need your thoughts, work, and trust.  

Currently, we are exploring a country-specific grant (such as the ones we have participated in via MOCCA and TSIRO) that would help us continue operating for a while. However, our success in sustainably serving you and these colleagues will depend on creative and immediate ways we can fundraise. 

Lastly, we want to underscore our support for our peer Olja Hocevar Van Wely, and her team. They have been tirelessly working on securing grant opportunities and festival discounts under our guidance and direction.   

We have greatly enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships at the FCIA, and we believe it is an organization that provides a unique space to our industry. The possibility of its closure saddens us, so we invite you to join us in working towards its continuity. 

We look forward to seeing you on July 24th. 

REGISTER HERE!

With respect,

Members of the Board of Directors