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Weekly UpdatesCoffee Fest walked away a winner from its Las Vegas show in early June. A crowd of nearly 2,000 attendees and exhibitors visited and did business amidst 150 booths and took part in new additions to the show including the pre-show Executive Summit, the Tinker's Minute and the Aroma Challenge.
"Surviving and Thriving in Coffee Today," the theme of the Executive Summit, kicked off Coffee Fest Las Vegas. The full-day education and networking event set the tone for the show--positivity in response to bleak economic news.
"When in doubt, innovate," says David Heilbrunn, Coffee Fest show manager. And that's what Coffee Fest did in Vegas, with it Tinker's Minute, an old-fashioned take on new products; the Aroma Challenge, an experiential attempt to develop a coffee "nose" and a refreshed educational line-up. These joined the traditional line-up including the Millrock Free Pour Latte Art contest.
The Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championship drew in crowds to view the battling baristas intent on crafting the fanciest foam-based design. Former two-time winner and longtime judge of the contest, Chris Deferio of The Coffee Institute in Muncie, Indiana, earned his third first-place latte art championship along with the attendant winnings of $5,000. Second place went to Nathan Black of Brothers K coffeehouse in Chicago, Illinois, who earned $1,000 and third place, with its $500 purse, went to Philip Wang of Blenz Coffee in Richmond, B.C., Canada. Third place was hard earned with a sudden death overtime and five-way tie. Each contestant had one minute and 20 seconds to produce one drink. This pour-off turned into a two-way tie that Wang finally broke.
The tinker's wagon was full of new products at the Vegas show, and exhibitors shared their latest and greatest products and innovations. After a tally of ballots filled out by audience members and Specialty Coffee Retailer and Coffee Fest judges, three companies shined brighter than the others. Splick-It won first place for its mobile drink pre-order and payment platform. Hint Mint won second place for its nifty new container and pomegranate acai flavor. And third place went to Detpak for its 100% compostable Rebbit Ripple Wrap hot cups.
Seattle and New York Coffee Fest shows are next on the docket. Attendees and exhibitors will want to put aside the weekend of September 25-27, 2009, for the hometown Seattle show, Coffee Fest's biggest gathering of coffee and tea professionals. Show organizers plan on filling 350 booths and welcoming between 5,000-7,000 attendees.
On March 5-7, 2010, Coffee Fest will pack its bags and visit the East coast and its lively coffee culture, for their first visit to the Meadowlands. To register for either show, please go to our web site at www.coffeefest.com.
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