Whatever the future may bring, it is already safe to say that 2020 will be remembered as a very special year. Everyday working life has changed fundamentally: webinars, video conferencing and masks are part of new everyday life.

The ZDS also had to suspend most of its presence courses and seminars in order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible. During this phase, it has worked hard to provide a digital learning offer and to create new possibilities to make its course content accessible. For example, the first online course on “Small batch chocolate production” will be launched at the end of July/beginning of August.

In twelve modules, participants can learn the basics of bean-to-bar production by means of interactive videos, practical demonstrations and lectures on theory and practice. Through playful learning elements, short tests and video chat offers with the instructor, the learning progress is documented and motivation is supported.

Member companies can now also take advantage of flexible and individual further training by ZDS specialist instructors with the help of online training courses. Nevertheless, digital offers are not a full-fledged substitute for live events and seminars – it is the live experience of technologies and new machines as well as the direct exchange with people that makes the difference. That’s why the ZDS is particularly pleased to be able to offer live courses to participants again from September on.

The largest ZDS event of the year, the Choco Tec, will also take place as planned from 8 to 10 December 2020. The first day will start with the presentation of new products, technologies and requirements of the chocolate market, such as the production of the first chocolate made entirely from cocoa fruits with cocoa pulp as a sweetener or the contribution to the topical subject of “Business continuity in the wake of pandemics”.