There were ample exhibitors from across the speciality food and beverage sphere, from chocolate, cheese, spirits, and of course a sprinkling of speciality tea and coffee companies.

The ground floor was largely made up of more established companies, such as the English Tea Shop, a partner of the event, which, like almost all the companies exhibiting, had samples on hand for inquisitive visitors. Venturing upstairs I came across a couple of coffee roasters: Wales-based Bay Coffee Roasters had a great selection of its coffees on display, including project specific blends and roasts, and Rounton Coffee Roasters, who were sporting recent Great Taste Awards for six of its specialty coffee products, including two stars for Sparkling Water Decaf Coffee and Colombian Wilton Benitez Pink Bourbon Coffee.

It was also a pleasure to meet some of the many smaller, newer companies at the show many of which were part of The Start-Up Village, comprising companies trading under two years. QuirkyMonkey was launched only in November 2022, and came to the Speciality & Fine Food Fair to display its nootropic mushroom coffees, as well as its recently introduced mushroom hot chocolate. Darwin Fletcher, QuirkyMonkey’s founder, developed the idea for the company after discovering how nootropic drinks could support his focus throughout the day with his neurodiversity. The show presented a great opportunity for new companies, such as QuirkyMonkey, to place themselves in front of possible buyers and collaborators.

There was certainly a theme of health benefits and functionality at the show, and not just across tea and coffee. Functionality, sustainability and ethical production seem to be a necessity for specialty products, as customers are seeking more from their purchases than just a great taste; if they are going to pay that bit extra, they want the extra benefits, whether that be to their health or to the environment. Consumers want to feel that they are using their money for a good cause, and specialty producers are rising to meet this demand, with a tide of Fairtrade, organic, and B-Corp certifications flooding the packaging, and frequently more wellness claims of improved sleep or mood, calmness, better digestion and pretty much anything else you could want.

While some more budget and commercial products may still be able to get away with dodging sustainability pressures for now, as they have the price point advantage, consumers seeking more premium and specialty products do not withhold such demands from their purchasing choices. The array of projects and efforts on display at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair were a credit to this.

• Kathryn Brand, associate editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: kathryn@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

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Florida-based coffee roaster, Oceana Coffee, entered coffee into five different categories and took home medals in all 5 categories entered, including a silver medal in the alternative milk category. Planet Oat’s oat milk was paired with Oceana Coffee’s espresso blend for this award winning  combination.

“It has been another amazing year being involved with Golden Bean North America. We have been entering coffees into the Golden Bean competition since 2015 and every year it gets a lot more difficult to win a medal at any level. So to have our coffee’s win medals and do well is amazing, it certainly helps me to stay relevant and keep up with methods along with our green coffee sourcing and selections. I am very proud of our team and our product and look forward to sharing our coffees for years to come,” commented Scotty Angelo, co-founder of Oceana Coffee.

The Golden Bean, which originated in Australia 17 years ago before creating its North American competition ten years ago, judges espresso, milk and filter coffees with medals awarded in 11 categories: Espresso, Milk Based, Pour Over Filter, Alternative Milk Based, Decaffeinated (Milk Based), Elite (green coffee costing over $60lb) , Franchise / Chain Store Espresso, Franchise / Chain Store Milk Based, Franchise / Chain Store Pour Over Filter. Coffees, Super Automatic, and Single Serve categories are judged through a blind tasting format by roasters who attend and participate in the event and conference.

The Golden Bean invites roasters to not only send in their entries but also to participate in the seminars and fun sponsored evenings. This creates a valuable opportunity for roasters to network and form alliances within the industry.

Oceana Coffee is open daily at two locations in Palm Beach County, Florida for dine in, take out, and online ordering.

Oceana Coffee Roastery: 221 Old Dixie Hwy #1, Tequesta, FL 33469, (561) 401-2453

Oceana Coffee Cafe: 150 US-1 #1, Tequesta, FL 33469, (561) 768-7887

For more information on Oceana Coffee, visit oceanacoffee.com.

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As the world’s foremost hub for culture, quality of life, sustainability, and the arts, Copenhagen’s distinguished reputation extends to its specialty coffee culture. The city’s progressive approach to business, technology, design, and trade further amplifies its standing as a global leader, making it an ideal destination for coffee enthusiasts and professionals to gather at Europe’s premier coffee trade show.

Speaking about bringing World of Coffee to Denmark in 2024, SCA CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos says: “The destination for Europe’s premier coffee trade show in 2024 is the dynamic capital city of Copenhagen, Denmark. A global leader in culture, quality of life, sustainability, and the arts, the Danish capital is also renowned for its refined specialty coffee culture and approach to business, technology, design and trade.” He adds; “World of Coffee Copenhagen joins two other recently announced destinations in the World of Coffee 2024 portfolio: Dubai, United Arab Emirates in January, 2024 and Busan, Korea in May, 2024 and contributing to World of Coffee’s global reach and accessibility.”

Speaking on behalf of the city of Copenhagen, Denmark, Bettina Reventlow-Mourier, deputy convention director, Copenhagen Convention Bureau says: “As one of the most coffee consuming capitals in the world, we are very excited about welcoming World of Coffee and the World Coffee Championships to Copenhagen next year. Coffee has long been an integral part of life in Denmark, and just like our gastro experiences, there is a strong focus on sustainable innovation amongst the many world-class coffee shops, baristas, and roasts that constitute Copenhagen’s flourishing coffee scene. We can’t wait for the many delegates to get a taste of our city and hopefully be inspired during their stay.”

And on behalf of the venue, Bella Center Copenhagen, Gemma Strutt, director of congress & large events adds “At Bella Center Copenhagen, we pride ourselves on Hosting Moments That Matter, so we are delighted to welcome World of Coffee in 2024, bringing the Specialty Coffee industry together. Coffee is a core part of our Responsible Hospitality culture, and Copenhagen will provide the perfect inspirational destination to meet and network.”

Prospective exhibitors are encouraged to register their interest in booking a booth on the World of Coffee Copenhagen show floor by submitting the contact form located at worldofcoffee.org/contact.

Attendee registration is set to open in early 2024.

BWT water+more Official Host Sponsor of World of Coffee 2024 in Copenhagen

SCA is also proud to announce the official Host Sponsor of World of Coffee 2024 Copenhagen: BWT water+more. Marking the continued partnership between SCA, World of Coffee, and BWT water+more, Dr. Frank Neuhausen, general manager of BWT water+more states:

“World of Coffee Copenhagen 2024: a fantastic city with a great coffee community! As Host Sponsor for World of Coffee 2024, we proudly continue our support for the Specialty Coffee Association and all people working within the coffee community.

We will once again provide the best water on site for all exhibitors.As a water optimisation specialist operating internationally, we at BWT water+more have an overview of water quality and supply worldwide and we gladly support the global coffee community with knowledge and practice proven solutions.”

Show Features: Copenhagen World Coffee Championships

The World Coffee Championships (WCCs) are annual events that are the culmination of local and regional qualifiers, hosted by sanctioned Competition Bodies around the globe. An expected 96competitors will be vying for the title of world champion across three skills-based competitions.

World Latte Art Championship.

This competition highlights artistic expression while challenging the barista in an on-demand performance. Baristas are judged based on visual attributes, creativity, identical patterns in the pairs, contrast in patterns, and overall performance.

World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship

This competition promotes innovative beverage recipes that showcase coffee and spirits, and highlights the barista/barkeeper’s mixology skills.

World Coffee Roasting Championship

Competitors are evaluated on their performance developing a roasting profile that best accentuates the desirable characteristics of that coffee,matching that profile,and on the ultimate cup quality of coffees roasted.

Join in person or on the live stream and learn more at wcc.coffee.

To learn more and enquire about available sponsorship positions and booth availability, email the team on sponsorship@sca.coffee

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Regarded as one of the best coffees in the world, Blue Mountain Coffee is grown on the Blue and John Crow Mountains in eastern Jamaica, the longest mountain on the island at 7402 ft and one of the highest peaks in the whole of the Caribbean. It is also one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world due to consumer demand for the speciality coffee.

Known for its fragrant aroma, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee has a rich, sweet taste without the bitterness found in many other types of coffee, it also contains a number of vitamins and nutrients making it beneficial for daily consumption. Previously, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee was the base for the popular coffee liqueur brand, Tia Maria.

This highly anticipated annual coffee festival aims to provide the ultimate experience for coffee enthusiasts. It will be an immersive experience from farm to cup (and plate) and a time to learn about Jamaican cuisine, coffee and culture, with indigenous arts and crafts showcases, reggae music performances and tours to some of Jamaica’s best kept secrets.

The Festival Market place will take place on the Newcastle Parade Grounds and will showcase coffee related-products, food stalls, tastings, demonstrations and workshops. The day will open with cultural presentations, include a Conversation with Coffee panel discussion, Barista Competition finals as well as live entertainment.

Every weekend throughout March, coffee enthusiasts can enjoy the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival SIP and SHOP experiences which include culinary trails, farm tours or hike and bike the Blue Mountains as part of the month-long celebrations. At over 3,000 feet above sea level, The Blue Mountain Culinary Trail invites visitors to indulge in Jamaica’s delicious cuisine at a number of restaurants, cafés and hotels.

The one-of-a-kind festival provides farmers, businesses and vendors with the opportunity to share their produce and demonstrate the versatility of the coffee. With several performances, panel talks and competitions scheduled, coffee entrepreneurs and consumers from all over the world have lots to look forward to.

In order to keep its quality standard, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is certified by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA). Only coffee that is grown between 3,000 and 5,000 feet can be labelled as Blue Mountain Coffee, anything below that is classified as Jamaica High Mountain Coffee.

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Following the gradual relaxation of pandemic restrictions in the country since April of this year, the 2022 Japan Tea Festival was prepared with the consideration of keeping the risk of infection low by reducing the number of exhibitors and limiting visitors to up to 500 at a time. Therefore, the festival was divided into four three-hour visitation periods over the two days. The total number of tickets this year was about 10% less than in previous events, but all were sold out. Consequently, a total of 2000 visitors enjoyed tasting green, black, oolong, spice or herb mixed teas, etc., during the ‘Tasting Rally’, the core program. Attendees had the opportunity to buy their favourite teas including some limited items offered especially for this occasion.

Previous Japan Tea Festivals offered short seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions. The 2022 event, however, held only the Tasting Rally. Forty-five exhibitors participated and more than one-third were tea producers in the country. “Concentrating on the tasting rally brought a positive effect for participants, the average sale increased from JPY 5000 in 2019 to JPY 6800 in 2022,” Takeshi Kawasaki, the organizer estimated, adding, “and the amount sold during the two-day event also grew from JPY 11 million in 2019 to JPY 13.5 million this year.”

According to the post-event survey for exhibitors, more than 40 of them showed their intention to return to the next festival [taking place in 2023]. — Yumi Nakatsugawa

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Registration will re-open next week, and ticket holders for the original February dates have been contacted — if you have any questions, please email: sensorysummit@sca.coffee.

The Sensory Summit is a unique opportunity for the coffee professional to learn more about sensory science in an accessible, interactive way.

Tickets are priced at USD $1025 for SCA members and $1475 for non-SCA members. The price includes all ten sensory talks and experiences, supplies for all experiences, dinner on Friday and Saturday, breakfast & launch on Saturday and Sunday, and a trip to Hops Farm.

For more information, visit: sensory.sca.coffee.

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In partnership with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), Host Milan will hold the world coffee SCA 2021 Championships – World Barista Championship, World Brewers Cup and World Cup Tasters Championship. The agreement with SCA also calls for three editions of the championships at Host Milan, in 2021, 2023 and 2025. ALTOGA, the National Association of Coffee Roasters, Importers and Wholesalers, will then organise the subsequent events through the 7th Grand Prix of Italian Coffee, organised by the Italian Coffee Masters’ Academy, AICAF. The programme will feature the greatest aspiring Italian baristas competing against one another, contending with the latest concoctions all themed around the food and wine tradition of Italy. Meanwhile, the 2nd Italian Latte Art Grading Championship will be seeking out the greatest milk producers of the Bel Paese. The winners will then be given the chance to compete in the second edition of the World Latte Art Grading System Battle. The Coffee programme is capped off with Coffee Addition, the event and coffee tasting corner, organised by AICAF and ALTOGA.

“We are delighted to host the SCA 2021 World Barista Championships, World Brewers Cup and World Cup Tasters Championship this October. This news is further confirmation that this will be a crucial event for the relaunch, the place to be from which the world of hospitality will kick off stronger and more vibrant than ever, under the banner of innovation, sustainability and training. In particular, the SCA championships within SIC, the historic International Coffee Exhibition, which has always been a reference point for the coffee industry, round off a unique offer both in terms of the level of the exhibitors and the events represented,” said Simona Greco, global exhibitions director at Fiera Milano SpA.

The simultaneous holding of Tuttofood, the reference hub for the agri-food ecosystem, will make it possible to exploit the synergies between two similar and complementary worlds. All this will put the spotlight on the relaunch of the entire supply chain: from the raw material to roasting, from grinders to espresso, cold brew and filter machines; from vending to the cup, to the finished product in all its forms, including large-scale distribution. For everyone, it will be an opportunity to take a close look not only at the latest innovations in professional equipment, but also to spot the trends that are shaping a sector in full evolution, including new consumer needs, the spread of contactless technologies and IoT-related solutions, from payment systems to sustainability.

To register or for more information, visit: HostMilano (fieramilano.it).

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From 14:30 CEST, Vanessa will be speaking online alongside Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist in the session titled “A Dialogue on Tea & Coffee” which will explore the production and rich flavours behind the beverages that unite many different cultures.

The session takes place after the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ Global World Food Day Ceremony, which will call for the transformation of agri-food systems to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to enough, affordable, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives.

For more information about the event, visit: www.fao.org/world-food-day/events/detail/world-food-day-ceremony/en and to register for free, visit: fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zsqH5U4pTrCQvyIng_zUcA.

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However, when the SCA decided to postpone the Expo from April to September (30 – 3 October)  – and understandably so – I was immediately concerned. Why? Because the most active months of the hurricane season – June 1st to November 30th – in the Southeastern United States are August and September, and October has also been quite active the last few years (I wrote about this in a 2020 column after the move was announced). In 2020, five named storms hit Louisiana, which broke the record for most strikes in a single season. Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana on 29 August 2021, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, joining 2020’s Hurricane Laura and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest storms to hit the state — all had top wind speeds of 150mph. The devastation is catastrophic and more than two weeks later, many residents are still without power, internet and phone service — and it is still incredibly hot and humid here (I am in New Orleans as I was here visiting my parents when Hurricane Ida struck and am still dealing with the aftermath).

Fortunately for the SCA, those exhibiting at the Expo and for those attending, power, internet and phone service have been restored to all of Orleans Parish (similar to a “county”) where New Orleans is located. This includes uptown/Garden District and downtown (the CBD, Warehouse District and French Quarter, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where the Expo is being held. The ENMCC sustained “some water intrusion and light roof damage.” Per a statement issued by the ENMCC, “Events at the Convention Center can continue to occur without interruption. An international event of several thousand attendees will begin moving in on 27 September.” (Updates on the city and convention center are available at: www.neworleans.com/updates.)

Given that Covid cases started spiking in the state again over the summer, particularly in Orleans Parish and neighbouring Jefferson Parish, and then Hurricane Ida hit so close to the start of the show, deciding whether to proceed with the Expo or cancel it had to be a difficult decision for the SCA. In a statement issued 10 September, Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the SCA, announced that the Expo would go ahead as planned but all coffee championships (US Coffee in Good Spirits, US Cup Tasters, and US Roaster Championships and the US Latte Art Competition) would be postponed to 2022.

Explaining the decision to go ahead with the Expo, Apostolopoulos said that many coffee companies rely on Expo for their businesses. “This is especially true for producers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and allied businesses around the world. This is the main reason we do a trade show — we’re using our convening power to bring buyers and sellers together, business to business, person to person. This has enormous value, and these companies need this.”

He said the SCA carefully assessed the financial risk involved with the decision to proceed with the event. “Expo is the largest specialty coffee event in North America, and we have been in contracts since 2016. While that took time to assess, we also took a long look at the risk to our fundamental values and mission in making this decision.”

Apostolopoulos shared that the SCA has been in contact with New Orleans and convention center officials daily and they’ve been “assured it’s safe and will be ready.” He added that Expo provides huge value to the specialty coffee industry, but the SCA is also “determined to make sure it brings value to the city of New Orleans, and to its wonderful coffee community.” As such, the SCA will be donating 50% of all attendee revenue to New Orleans coffee businesses to help them rebuild.

Hurricane Ida aside, we’re still living in a pandemic world, so Covid protocols remain in place. The SCA is requiring a negative PCR test valid within 72 hours of badge pick up, regardless of vaccination status. The full list of requirements can be found at: coffeeexpo.org/covid19-safety.

New Orleans, business owners and its residents need something to celebrate (we all do for that matter), and a coffee trade show is a good start. I’ll be at the Expo (though no booth this year), so I hope to see some of you there!

Just a reminder that Tea & Coffee World Cup presentations are available 24/7 through 8 October so if you have not yet done so and are interested, please visit: www.tcworldcup.com.

Safe travels and be well!

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com
  Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

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The entry requirements for all 2021 Specialty Coffee Expo exhibitors and attendees are as follows:

1. Advanced Registration Only: All visitors must register online in advance. Ticket holders will collect their Expo badges on-site at the venue. Please note that both the venue and Expo 2021 will be cash-free and will accept only electronic payments.
2. Negative Tests Required: Per the City of New Orleans latest Covid-19 guidelines, all attendees—including those who are fully vaccinated—must present a negative PCR Covid-19 test valid within 72 hours of badge pick up to enter the venue. See the City of New Orleans Covid-19 website to find a list of approved testing sites: ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/testing.
3. Masks Required: Per the City of New Orleans latest Covid-19 guidelines, masks are required inside the Expo venue at all times. Attendees may remove  masks when drinking or eating, but please be sure to keep it on before and after consumption.

The SCA has also listed additional Covid-19 precautions it is taking in collaboration with its partners at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center:

• Ventilation at the Venue: The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s ventilation system uses hospital-grade air filtration systems to help prevent the airborne transmission of Covid-19.
• Enhanced Cleaning and Hygiene: The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is accredited as a GBAC STAR Facility through the Global BioRisk Advisory Council, which means that the venue has established a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimise risks associated with infectious agents like Covid-19. Read the Convention Center’s health and safety protocols or visit our website for more details.
• Physical Distancing Guidelines: In addition to mandating advanced registration, the SCA has reduced capacity in halls and meeting rooms, and has designated entrances, exits, and one-way aisles. For the first time this year, Exhibitors will have an additional installation day on Wednesday 29 September to reduce congestion in the exhibit halls on Thursday and Friday morning.
• Sampling Regulations: Exhibitors conducting sampling in their booths must have a handwashing kit, face masks, gloves, and utensils when handling samples.

Specialty Coffee Expo visitors should familiarise themselves of the latest city of New Orleans Covid-19 guidelines by visiting: ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/safe-reopening.

Visit the Covid-19 page on the Expo website to find more information on SCA Covid-19 Entry Requirements, its updated Safety Protocols, and for answers to frequently asked questions related to Expo and the US Coffee Championships: coffeeexpo.org/covid19-safety.

To read Yannis Apostolopoulos’ full statement, visit: coffeeexpo.org/discover-expo/coffee-expo-2021-entry-requirements.

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Our presenters are all highly acclaimed within their fields. The keynote speaker for coffee will be Thomas Linemayr, CEO of Tchibo Coffee. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Tchibo is one of Europe’s leading coffee roasters and just entered the US market in 2020 — during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rona Tyson, executive vice president, corporate relations & PR, ITO EN, will be the keynote speaker for tea. Tokyo-based ITO EN is Japan’s largest green tea and matcha supplier and is a global leader in ready-to-drink green tea and matcha beverages. Matthew Barry, senior beverages consultant at London-based global market intelligence firm, Euromonitor International, will offer an outlook for the global coffee and tea industries in the post-pandemic world.

Our popular skill-building classes also return to TCWC, but digitally, of course. The coffee classes will be run by Dr Steffen Schwarz and Dr Dirk Lachenmeier of the Karlsruhe, Germany-based, Coffee Consulate, while the tea classes will be run by the London-based UK Tea Academy.

We will share full presentation details including topics and session times at a later date on our TCWC website so stay tuned!

For more information or to register for the virtual Tea & Coffee World Cup, please visit: www.tcworldcup.com.

Booths and sponsorship opportunities for Tea & Coffee World Cup, are still available so please contact our events manager, Kyra O’Sheen (kyraosheen@bellpublishing.com) or our exhibitions manager, Chris Seldon (chris@bellpublishing.com) for more information.

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Roaster Row is a show floor space exclusive for coffee roasting companies, complete with dedicated branding. The exhibitor package includes discounted entry to empower emerging or small business coffee roasters to cultivate success and build relationships within the convenience services community.

“This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for small business owners who are new to the channel to break through with office coffee services (OCS),” said Karalynn McDermott, executive growth consultant, Eversys SA. “Thousands of office coffee services (OCS) operators and buyers are registered to attend and are seeking the next best brew – Roaster Row offers suppliers the opportunity to grow their businesses as Americans get back to the office.”

The Roaster Row bundle includes several opportunities for exposure to The NAMA Show and Coffee Tea & Water attendees and goes one step further to offer one year of NAMA membership.

For more information or to become an exhibitor on Roasters Row, visit: www.namanow.org/events/thenamashow21/exhibit.

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Many of the popular Expo features will return with new Covid-19 safety measures in place led by a designated Covid-19 safety officer.

Alongside both long-time and new exhibitors in the Exhibits Halls, returning show features includes the Best New Product Awards, Coffee Design Awards, Roaster Village, US Coffee Championships, and more.

“We are extremely excited to be welcoming our community to a physical trade show again after over a year of not having met in person”, says Yannis Apostolopoulos, chief executive officer of the SCA. “The effective health and safety guidelines and regulations we are putting in place prioritizes the safety of attendees and exhibitors, and allows us to bring back much-loved Expo features.”

More information about how the show will transform in order to maximize the safety of attendees and exhibitors will be provided in the upcoming months as the SCA receives guidance from state and local health authorities, the Center for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. The SCA says it will continue to provide regular and timely updates to help the community best prepare for Expo.

Registration for Expo will open on 1 June 2021, with discounted pricing available through 18 August 2021.

For more information about Specialty Coffee Expo 2021, visit: coffeeexpo.org.

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World Tea Conference + Expo was originally scheduled to take place 14-16 July in Denver, Colorado.

“Adding World Tea Conference + Expo to co-locate alongside Nightclub & Bar Show is an important and exciting move for the tea, bar and restaurant industries,” said Tim McLucas, vice president, bar & restaurant, Questex. It provides critical new opportunities for business growth and evolution, in addition to expanding the audience reach, and encouraging innovation and new business partnerships.”

According to Questex, the rapid spike in demand for low and no alcohol beverages is a critical and fast-growth segment of the beverage industry, which is expected to be a trillion-dollar industry by 2024. With support from the specialty tea industry, this strategic co-location will create exciting new opportunities to connect buyers and sellers of tea and tea related products with the bar and restaurant industry; and bring fresh growth to World Tea Conference + Expo at an important time in the industry’s evolution.

World Tea Conference + Expo focuses on the business of tea with unique sampling, tasting and education on how to profit from tea. The event attracts the national and international tea community, including buyers and decision makers from retailers, grocery, hotels, distributors, foodservice, spas, plus tea and coffeehouses, among others.

Product categories represented include: tea and herbal tea suppliers, teaware, giftware, equipment and supplies, flavours & ingredients, tea support & education, herbals/botanicals, CBD products, packaged foods, packaging/labels, technology/POS, and payment processing.

The event will feature a lively expo floor with hundreds of new tea products, three-day conference program including workshops and bootcamps with leading tea experts and speakers. Event highlights include:

• Tea Bar: new expo floor feature to sample the latest teas from around the world including tea infused cocktails
• Kombucha Experience: dedicated expo floor experience exclusively focused on kombucha producers
• CBD Innovation: all you need to learn about CBD in one area – how it works, where to purchase it and how to blend it
• New Business Launch Pad: discover the latest emerging trends and stay ahead of the competition
• Tea-infused culinary demonstrations showcasing the versatility of tea
• Skill-Building Sessions: vary from tea-infused cocktails to food pairing and blending skills
• Evening reception and networking.

For members of the tea community unable to travel to Las Vegas, Questex will offer a World Tea Conference + Expo hybrid option to provide access to live education, on-site product activations, expo floor features including the new Tea Bar and Food & Beverage Innovation Center.

The health and safety of exhibitors, sponsors and attendees is Questex’s top priority. Following federal and local guidelines, Questex has crafted unique protocols for each event experience, which includes event specific health and safety initiatives, response team identified for every event and on-site health and safety guidelines. For more details on the on the company’s health and safety protocols, visit: questex.com/event-safety.

Registration for World Tea Conference + Expo will open soon at WorldTeaExpo.com.

Early bird registration for Nightclub & Bar Show 2021 starts at USD $99 and expires 17 May 2021. For more information or to register, visit: NCBShow.com/Register.

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Interested companies from the packaging sector and the associated processing industry will be able to register online at www.interpack.com from the end of March/beginning of April provided all goes to plan, according to the organisers. Exhibitors who were approved for interpack 2021, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, have already been able to reserve their stand positions for 2023 and will now be able to rebook when they register.

components will take place in parallel with interpack. It is oriented towards the supplier sector for the packaging and processing industry. Interested companies can register for components in the same period as interpack by accessing www.packaging-components.com.

Messe Düsseldorf reports that the online presence of both 2023 events is also being built up and expanded.

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During UK Coffee Week, coffee shops, retailers, restaurants and brands come together to celebrate all things coffee while raising funds for Project Waterfall – a charity working to end the water crisis in coffee-growing communities across the world.

To date, the initiative has raised over £750,000 helping to bring clean water, education and sanitation to many communities. Now in its 10th year, UK Coffee Week had hoped to beat its £1 million fundraising target. Earlier this year the event was postponed due to lockdown, however the organisers have decided to go ahead with a new date, to celebrate and support the UK coffee industry and to continue to raise much-needed charity funds.

Founder Jeffrey Young said: “As we all know coffee shops and the whole hospitality industry have been hit hard in the past six months. As a result of this, demand for coffee beans has declined during the crisis impacting our coffee-growing communities.

“UK Coffee Week is about celebrating our nation’s coffee industry as well as supporting our coffee-growing communities, and we feel that this is now more important than ever before. We are pulling out all the stops for UK Coffee Week 2020 with in-store activity, coffee-making tutorials, and a host of online events and competitions.

“We want to celebrate coffee lovers and our supporters, from restaurants and coffee shops to roasters and other businesses. Whether we are enjoying coffee at home or supporting our local coffee shop this is a time to come together and raise a cup to our wonderful industry.”

Jeffrey Young established The Allegra Foundation in 2011 as a way for the coffee industry to come together and give back to the communities where their coffee is grown.

UK Coffee Week gives coffee lovers across the UK the chance to make their cup matter simply by enjoying their daily coffee and donating a few pence. 100% of the money raised goes to Project Waterfall.

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To ensure this essential industry remains connected, PMMI Media Group is launching a new live, web-based event, PACK EXPO Connects 2020, 9-13 November, complete with live chats, live product demos and equipment and engaging educational opportunities.

“For over six decades, PACK EXPO has been here to serve and connect the industry, and while the pandemic makes it impossible to meet in person this year, connecting the industry is still our top priority. PMMI Media Group is putting all of the power of the PACK EXPO brand into fostering connections between consumer-packaged goods companies (CPGs) and suppliers by driving the entire industry to PACK EXPO Connects,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI, Herndon, Virginia.

PACK EXPO Connects will facilitate exhibitor and attendee interaction while continuing to provide the ability to see machinery in action through this new platform. This exciting online experience will also offer world-class educational opportunities, including daily Jumpstart sessions on hot topics from industry thought leaders along with the Innovation Stages, a staple at previous PACK EXPO events. The new Solution Room will feature expert-led education sessions, and PMMI Media Group editors will discuss highlights via Daily Download sessions, bringing attendees up to speed on the latest and greatest solutions on display at PACK EXPO Connects. A special Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network event will feature an address from Jan Tharp, president and CEO at Bumble Bee Foods.

“Connecting the industry has never been more essential as packaging addresses the critical needs of this pandemic,” adds Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “While nothing can replace an in-person event, PACK EXPO Connects will push the digital boundaries of virtual to provide the resources the industry needs to solve today’s unique packaging challenges.”

For more information on exhibiting or attending PACK EXPO Connects, visit packexpoconnects.com. For any additional questions or concerns, contact the PMMI Show Department at expo@pmmi.org or by phone at 571.612.3200.

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Despite high registration levels in the Spring of this year and extensive preparations, the current Covid-19 situation has reportedly caused strong health, safety, economic and travel concerns among many of euvend & cofeena’s registered exhibitors and visitors.

Koelnmesse said the suspension was “a very difficult decision” since the organisers “were fully prepared to conduct this event under well thought out and renewed safety standards.” However, the company has said it will view this as “an opportunity to get started again, with fresh ideas and new energy”.

The next euvend & coffeena will take place from 27-29 October 2022.

For more information, visit: www.euvend-coffeena.com.

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