 Coffee Fest is back in Seattle November 9th-11th. This is a great time of year as it seems to always feel like Christmas - catching up with old friends, seeing all the new "toys", and spending money. Ok, you are right, we do not need to spend much money right now as a company but there are a few things that we will be looking for including a new roaster, a new syrup distribution channel, travel mugs, and new stuff that may add to our catering services.
As for classes, there are a few I will probably go to depending on time. Here are some of my highlights:
Black Gold: They are featuring the film the first evening of the show. It is nice to see that it will be at an industry show like Coffee Fest for everyone to view and talk about. Yes, the film is just tip toeing in the problems and areas of Fair Trade but it is a good stepping stone to more involvement.
Coffee; either the first or last experience most guests will have at your restaurant - Make it a memorable one: The title says it all on this one. I have been wanting to talk more about this at this blog. I am really glad to see that Coffee Fest is reaching to the restaurants this year. I have been ranting to myself over the past few months about this very subject and will be talking more about it in the days to come. While I am not in the restaurant business, I think I will attend this class.
Understanding Coffee: Seed to Cup: I love classes like this. Yes, I have read many books on this subject but I can never seem to learn enough. I love the crazy facts that these types of classes give. You know, the stuff you should know but feel crazy knowing? This one should be good.
Maté 101: I just love the stuff. I tried the Mate Latte and was not totally convinced but, then again, I am not a huge fan of Chai Tea Lattes (no matter the brand!). I love drinking Yerba Mate in the winter months (I know, I am a tea freshman) and the guys doing the class, Pixie Mate are great. It would be nice to learn more about this type of tea. Oh, and samples will be given at this class!
Free Press: How to Land Articles in Local & National Publications: Ok, this one could help us right away. That is what we need for Cafe Evoke - press. The lady doing the class is with Roast Magazine and should prove to be helpful for us. I hope this class time works into our schedule as it would be nice to have a press release and other mentions in our local publications. I am not sure the value, yet, of having national publication (we were in US News at one time if you remember).
That wraps up my list of classes that I see as interesting this year. There are many others that will be great for people in that point of their business but we are just not there or even close to it so I am not going to attend.
I am excited for Coffee Fest. It is one of Jenni and my favorite times of the year. It is also a time for us to hang with some of our friends from the Bozeman coffee world. It is one of those deals, when in the same place, we rarely have the chance to hang out, we have to go 9 hours away to do that. Whatever it takes, it is a great time.
Will I be live blogging from the convention? Of course. I hope to bring you the latest from the floor and also any cool information I get from the above class list (if I make it to the classes).
Happy Monday to you.
..be bold
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Coffee Fest is back in Seattle November 9th-11th. This is a great time of year as it seems to always feel like Christmas - catching up with old friends, seeing all the new "toys", and spending money. Ok, you are right, we do not need to spend much money right now as a company but there are a few things that we will be looking for including a new roaster, a new syrup distribution channel, travel mugs, and new stuff that may add to our catering services.
Comments on "CoffeeFest Seattle"
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Loye Christensen said ... (11/07/2007 07:51:00 AM) :
post a commentWhere the heck do we park this year? I am in a wheelchair and this is going to be quite a challenge again.