Coffee Fest is one of the largest coffee/tea trade shows , and this year it is celebrating in Las Vegas , June 12-14 ,2009.   I attended a few years back when DC hosted the event.   Trade Shows for me are a superb way to network and discover all the newest and latest trends in the coffee industry.  I also subscribe to a publication call “Roaster” magazine.

Baristas compete all weekend!

At Coffee Fest you will find booths, and exhibitors everywhere – It is an opportunity to also get some formal training as a “Barista” as they offer certifications for this. Roasters and others attendees are entitled to many educational workshops to either fine tune roasting skills,  learn blending basics,  give us more insight into the green bean selection process, learn more about Fair Trade policy  and procedures across the globe — It is by far one of the best ways to stay current -

You will find many retailers, vendors and distributors  return year after year with newer products and ideas that will help your business succeed in this very competitive market.  I love meeting my importers and picking their brains a bit  – they offer some keen roasting tips as well, as that is something they all do – They roast the beans in their offerings list and give us all the scoop on what ‘s awesome and what’s not – This is often how I decide what new beans I will bring into my roaster room.   My importers will send me raw bean samples  or sometiemes roasted to try for myself.

Workshop Schedule for "Cupping"

Feel free to peruse the Coffee Fest site . I will not be abel to attend this year, but really look forward to it coming to NEW YORK in 2010.   I will make this information available to you and perhaps you may want to join me  and learn something for yourself  :) It’s sooo much fun!!

Until then,
           “..building relationships one bean at a time..”
-  Order  fresh roasted coffee for that coffee fanatic of yours :)