Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) Executive Director Embarks on Red, White & Chocolate, a 2-Month Cross-Country Road Trip

Las Vegas, NV – October 18, 2015 (for immediate release)

FCIA Executive Director Karen Bryant has embarked on a personal journey to dig deep into the US chocolate experience and chronicle it in her blog Red, White & Chocolate. Although this is a personal journey, it is sanctioned by FCIA and its Members and Friends and the public are invited to “ride along” as back seat drivers by recommending people and companies she should visit and dynamics she should explore.

Bryant will interview chocolate makers, chocolatiers and key people in the industry who are molding the US chocolate experience. The itinerary is evolving daily and updated weekly at www.redwhiteandchocolate.com. Bryant will provide highlights of her road trip via the blog and longer “Going Deeper” pieces posted after the road trip is completed.

Goals of Red, White & Chocolate --  As Executive Director, Bryant wants to gain a deeper understanding of the US chocolate experience throughout the entire country (not just San Francisco and New York) to better serve FCIA.  As a consumer, she wants to help other consumers navigate the sometimes confusing and changing landscape of chocolate in the US to answer questions like:

·  What puts the “fine” in fine chocolate?

·  What might one experience in a chocolate bar that costs $12?

·  Where does quality and consistency fit in the new bean-to-bar movement? 

·  Who are the people driving the changes? And what drives them?

Media -- you are invited to follow Red, White & Chocolate, meet up with Bryant at her interviews and tap into the trends and dynamics that she discovers are molding the US chocolate experience.

About Karen Bryant -- Bryant is Executive Director of FCIA, a student of chocolate, a writer and a non-profit management professional. In 2004 she embarked on a one-year cross-country road trip interviewing and writing about mid-life women who had reinvented themselves resulting in numerous published articles.

Sponsors for Red, White & Chocolate -- Glerup Revere Packaging, Shift Collaborative, Ecole Chocolat and the Fine Chocolate Industry Association.

About FCIA -- Elevating the art and business of fine flavor cacao and chocolate.

As the professional non-profit organization representing the fine chocolate industry, our mission is to promote quality, innovation and best practices in the fine chocolate industry from tree to bar and bonbon.

More Information:

Contact Karen Bryant, FCIA Executive Director: 206.577.9983, info@finechocolateindustry.org

Fine Chocolate Industry Association:  www.finechocolateindustry.org

Red, White & Chocolate:  www.redwhiteandchocolate.com / karen@redwhiteandchocolate.com