Sponsored by Fetco
There are many reasons to attend trade shows -- Insights to the latest industry trends, exposure to new products, networking opportunities, the ability to compare products, talking to product experts, gathering information for future purchases, face-to-face meetings, and researching your competition.
Participating in educational sessions while you are at a trade show is a great way to maximize the experience. Lectures and workshops give you access to thought leaders and their perspective of the challenges, solutions, and opportunities within an industry.
The coffee and tea communities are currently tackling many issues. Lectures, roundtable discussions, and panel interviews encourage collaborative problem solving needed to ensure continued growth and development.
The coffee and tea community are facing these and other issues:
Coffee Issues – Low coffee prices, Prop 65, climate change, aging farmers, sustainability, and coffee plant disease and pests
Tea Issues – El Nino Effect, environmental and social sustainability, and the effect of international tensions
These B2B Coffee and Tea trade shows are devoting educational resources to these concerns and more.
National Coffee Association (NCA) Summit
March 7-9, 2019 Atlanta, GA
If you missed this year’s NCA, plan on not missing it next year. The National Coffee Association tackles the tough issues that face the coffee industry by working with several U.S. and international government agencies that are connected to coffee commerce and consumption.
According to the NCA website (ncausa.org), the NCA may flag potential problems, identify and protect industry priorities, provide specialized expertise, or lead communications campaigns. Often these issues are ongoing and can come with unexpected ramifications if not monitored closely. These include:
- WHO/ IARC Coffee and Cancer Declassification
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- U.S. Dietary Guidelines
- Safe Food for Canadians Act
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Caffeine Opinion
- Nutritional Fact Panel
Their Summit educational sessions include such topics as The Sustainable Coffee Challenge, Labor Concerns at Origin, and National Coffee Data Trends.
Specialty Coffee Expo
April 11-14, 2019 Boston, MA
Boston Convention Center
Coffee professionals from all over the global attend the Coffee Expo each year. Before the expo starts, the Re:Co Symposium features industry thought leaders discussing the coffee industry so that the coffee community can work together toward a bright future. This year’s Symposium will be focused on the coffee “C” price that is at its lowest point in 12 years and how as a community we can confront the crisis through collaboration.
Throughout the expo, there are a variety of educational sessions and workshops on coffee skills, sustainability, and the future of coffee.
Who Attends: Coffee enthusiasts, producers, traders, baristas, roasters, and retail operators
How Many Attend: Around 9,600 attendees
2019 Portrait Country: Burundi
For more information, please go to CoffeeExpo.org
CoffeeFest
Since 1992, more than 350,000 have attended CoffeeFest. CoffeeFest is held in a variety of locations through the U.S. several times during the year where coffee professional gather to exhibit the latest products and the educational sessions are the highlight of the event.
Indianapolis May 31-June 2, 2019 Indiana Convention Center
Los Angeles Aug 25-27, 2019 Los Angeles Convention Center
PNW Nov 15-16, 2019 Greater Tacoma Convention Center
New York 2020 March 8-10, 2020 Javits Center
Educational seminars and workshops include: Espresso machine maintenance, marketing your coffee shop, hands-on barista training, and an introduction to cupping. Some sessions require a fee.
For more information about the CoffeeFest series, please go to CoffeeFest.com
World Tea Expo
June 10-13, 2019
Conference: June 10-13, 2019
Exhibit Hall: June 11-13, 2019
Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall
This industry leading trade show is 100% focused premium teas and related products. Retailers, tea room owners, distributors, F&B directors, spa managers, specialty grocers and mass merchants from around the world attend this three day event focused on buying, selling and educating members of the tea community. The expo features over 260 exhibitors.
This year’s educational lineup led by some of the brightest experts in tea include lectures and hands-on workshops on the following: Tea Business Boot Camp, Origins Tasting Tour, How Fair is Fair Trade?, Creating An Online Store, Identifying Your Market Segment, Sustainability, and much more.
To check out the lecture series and speakers, please go to WorldTeaExpo.com
