A handful of visitors wait for the advertised activities at the Bird's Nest. Photo: Dennis Seah

By Andrew Tait

Despite sophisticated attempts at controlling the environment surrounding the edible exhibition, cracks have already started to appear in the Chocolate Wonderland's extravaganza.

On the show's website, images of the area and the exhibits depict an attractive and picturesque scene.

But without the computer-generated makeover, the environment and activities on offer are not so picture perfect.

In one area, called the "sweet experience museum," where visitors were to be offered the chance to taste exotic candies, a label over the machines announced them as broken. "I have no idea when they will be fixed or even what's wrong with them. All I know is that they have been broken for days," a staff member told the Global Times.

Sherry Wung, PR manager for the Beijing-based Artsource Planning Company which operates the park, told Global Times, that they had been giving the candies away for free, because the shop and DIY areas cost money.

But realizing the potential safety hazards caused by offering the penny sweets, an out-of-order notice was put overhead instead.

In another area, a large wall announces to spectators, "Celebrity Imprint – Guess which famous people have formed tight attachments to chocolate!" When asked for further clarification, another member of staff commented, "I have no idea. I only started here today," while her colleague helpfully added, "It has no meaning, or any special purpose."

On her staff's ability, Wung offered, "We have daily training and, of course, a standard operating procedure, but it's an ongoing process. That's the advantage of using teenagers. They learn fast and follow manager's directions well."

Talking to reporters in September of last year, Tina Zheng, general manager of the park, said a number of prestigious chocolate makers from Europe, including Belgium, Switzerland and Italy wanted to join the project, but at that time, would not go further as to name any of the potential exhibitors.

"We don't have many sponsors, nor investment, so we had to invest most of the money ourselves," Wung explained.

In their search for sponsors and investors however, Artsource approached many companies, but had few responses. Those that did eventually decide to get involved were Italy's Ferrero and Swiss owned Lindt, together with several non-sweet treat companies, including Epson, BMW and Xiang Rong Jewelry.

The event has been supported with resources and access to the public through a state sponsored direct mail drive, with over 18 million letters having been sent out to schools and businesses, trying to rally interest. Wung compared the mailings to the actions taken during the A(H1N1) crisis, to raise public awareness.

"We suggested that Beijing needed to improve its image. There is a lack of sweetness here, and we felt if we could bring sweetness to Beijing, we could bring people together," said Wung.

But Wung also admitted that the government was looking for a "market driven plan" and a way to use the Olympic Stadium area in a more commercial way.

"Don't forget your wallet. Spend all your money with us!" an attendant shouted, as one visitor left their belongings at an information booth.