International chocolate expert heads ConTech 2011

A world renowned authority on the chocolate industry, Andy Van den Broeck, will headline the Australian Industry Group’s (Ai Group) premier confectionery event, ConTech 2011 Keeping ahead of the pack, May 31-1 June 2011, in Melbourne.

“In its 18th year, this conference is a key event on the confectionery calendar. This year the focus will be on helping businesses right across the confectionery supply chain to better understand how to respond to their consumer needs.  Delegates will hear of the latest advances in technology, new product development and innovation.  The keynote speakers will give practical and productivity boosting advice designed to help companies keep ahead of the pack,” Ai Group Victorian director and principal advocate Ai Group Confectionery Sector, Tim Piper, says.

Andy Van den Broeck has a distinguished career in all elements of chocolate production and is currently the Technical Advisor for Indonesian chocolatiers PT Freya Indotama and a lecturer at the Tulip Chocolate school in Jakarta. His presentation at ConTech 2011 will focus on chocolate shelf life and the variabilities.

Other speakers include Marc Donaldson from On the Ball Consulting who will discuss the future of cocoa supply and Abigail Forsyth, CEO of Keep Cup, who will focus on the importance of product design.

Rachael Robertson, whose leadership skills were put to the test during the 12 months she spent living and working in Antarctica, will tell her inspirational story to guests at the conference dinner on 31 May.

A trade show exhibition is another feature of the two day event.  For more details on ConTech 2011 visit http://contech.aigroup.com.au/