Time for a Trade Show?

Friday March 11, 2011

If you’re feeling out of touch with the coffee industry, need some new ideas, have skills you’d like to brush up on, or just need a break from the daily grind (no pun intended); might we suggest attending one of the many trade shows that are scheduled throughout the year?  Trade shows are a great place to immerse yourself in everything coffee and come away with a new found enthusiasm for your craft.  Here’s a quick recap of upcoming events, and highlights of each show.

Houston hosts the SCAA Expo on April 28-May 1.  Heralded as “The Event “, it allows the coffee community to gather together to celebrate accomplishments, build on existing knowledge, and discuss possible solutions to current problems.  This trade show allows roasters and retailers to exhibit their products, food, and beverage services.  Professional coffee enthusiasts can also watch or participate in the US Cup Tasters, US Brewers Championship (new this year!), and United States Barista Championship.

Opportunities abound to increase your knowledge through comprehensive training in the many classes offered.  A few of the classes offered are Basics of Roasting Equipment and Operations, Introduction Espresso,  Basics of Green Coffee Grading and Roasters Guild Accreditation-apprentice level.

Coffee Fest, the premiere coffee trade show, is scheduled in San Diego on June 3-4, Hawaii on July 8-10, and Seattle on September 23-25.  Coffee Fest has been involved in the coffee industry since 1992, and boy have they grown since then.   In 1998 they held their first trade show bringing together retailers, manufacturers, and distributors for the purpose of education , sharing ideas, and promotion of the specialty coffee industry.

For business owners this is the perfect venue to learn more about the industry, catch up on the latest news and innovations, and mingle with people who share an enthusiasm and deep appreciation for anything and everything coffee.   A small sampling of workshops offered: Espresso Machine Maintenance, Intro to Sample and Small Batch Roasting, Opening a New Café, Loose Tea 101, and Using Digital Media to Achieve Greater Profitability.

Business owners wishing to raise their customer service to a new level by increasing the knowledge of their baristas can enroll them in barista training and certification.  This program ensures they will provide your customers with quality service each time they come through your door.  Baristas must pass a written test and a simulated barista café techniques test.  In order to pass these tests a certain amount of experience and proficiency is required, but the rewards for both you and the barista are well worth it.   Instilling a sense of pride and professionalism in your baristas can only lead to increased sales and happy customers.

If you are excited by the prospect of being immersed in the coffee culture for a weekend while increasing your knowledge, then attend one of these events!  If you would like additional information regarding Coffee Fest or The Event, please contact us.  BPS peeps are known to frequent the shows and can give you pointers and tips on how to make it a great trip!