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Coffee Fest Seattle attracts 7,000 attendees |
11.20.2009
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SEATTLE-Coffee Fest 2009 welcomed nearly 7,000 attendees and exhibitors to its hometown show at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, here, Sept. 25-27.
The three-day show schedule was loaded with professional classes, a Latte Art contest and the Tinker's Minute showing off new products in the industry.
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According to a press release, the amount of activity signals a robust coffee industry that is innovating to meet the changes in specialty coffee.
"Seattle's show was a bright light for the industry," said Greg Hartlein, CEO of LifeStyle Events, the show's organizers, in a prepared statement. "It was heartening to see the crowds and watch business relationships being fostered. As we look to 2010, we plan to further refine how we do business and how we share that information with the industry."
Andrew Milstead from Urban Coffee Lounge in Kirkland, Wash., won the Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championships and the $2,500 prize. Teresa Judy swept the Top Cup Soy Challenge, a contest that showcases creative hot and cold beverages using soymilk for her Dutch Almond Frappe in the cold category and her French Toast Con Panna in the hot drink segment.
At the Tinker's Minute platform, three products were honored with an award for retailer appeal and industry innovation. Justin's Nut Butter earned first place for its portable, organic peanut and almond butters. Smart Cup X-Press won second place for its innovative French press to-go cup top, while third place went to mypressi twist, a portable, one-shot espresso maker.
Coffee Fest got its start as a consumer coffee festival in Seattle in 1992. Since 1998, the show has gathered coffee retailers, roasters, distributors and manufacturers together for three annual trade shows. The next show is scheduled for March 5-7 at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, N.J., followed by a show in Minneapolis June 4-6. For more information visit www.coffeefest.com.
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