How to Select Chocolate for a Chocolate Tasting Party

Decide on a theme or focus for your tasting party. Will this be an academic foray into the wide world of chocolate? Or will it be a light hearted event with little regard for weightier matters? 
Some more factors to consider: Do you want to explore chocolates from a specific region, chocolates with varying cacao percentages? What about single-origin chocolates, or chocolates with unique flavor profiles (e.g., fruity, nutty, spicy)? 
The theme will guide your chocolate selection and where you purchase it from.

Determine how much you're willing to spend on chocolates for the party. High-quality chocolates can vary significantly in price, so having a budget in mind will help you make choices that fit your financial situation and priorities. I curated a list of recommendations below of a varying price range.

Determine how many chocolates you want to taste. I recommended aiming for a diverse selection of chocolates. This can be variety within a specific brand or maker OR variety within a similar flavor profile. For example: If your theme is “Milk Chocolate”, you can buy plain milk chocolate from several different brands, such as Lindt, Hershey’s, Cadbury, Milka.  
If you want to stick with a specific brand, select a variety of flavors from that brand. For example, you could buy all Lindt Chocolate. They have Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt, 85% Dark Chocolate, 70% Dark Chocolate, along with some flavored options, such as Raspberry or Orange.

Consider what quality of chocolate you’d like to serve. Mainstream brands, such as Cadbury, Lindt are available to purchase in stores and do not need to be shipped. Many large grocery stores are starting to sell high quality, artisanal, and craft chocolates these days. 
Artisanal or craft chocolate makers are now able to ship nationally (and sometimes internationally), and shipping times need to be considered if you’re buying online. Artisanal and craft chocolates are often made with more attention to detail, higher-quality ingredients, and unique flavor profiles compared to mass-produced chocolates.

Take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences your guests may have, such as vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free options. Ensure that you have a few options that cater to these needs.

Your guests may have strong moral or ethical opinions and preferences around chocolate. Likewise, if many of your guests prefer lighter chocolates rather than dark chocolates, it’s important to keep that in mind. As a host, it’s gracious to be aware of these preferences and ensure there are options they can enjoy.

Do your guests have a thirst for knowledge? If so, consider providing them with educational material that the brand(s) of chocolate provide. This can be found on most chocolate producers' websites and printed in advance of the tasting party.
Also, you can provide tasting sheets or notebooks for your guests to jot down their impressions of each chocolate. I love how often this leads to interesting discussions and comparisons.