COFFEE FEST SEATTLE POURS BIG NUMBERS

The specialty coffee industry is thriving, if attendance at Coffee Fest Seattle is any indication. Held this last weekend (October 24-26, 2003) at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, over 4,900 coffee shop retailers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs and other specialty coffee professionals sampled the latest in specialty coffee, tea and related products.

Attendance was up 7 percent and exhibitor participation was up 17 percent over the Seattle’s 2002 show figures.

“In light of the continued sluggish economy and corporate uncertainty we’re elated that we not only matched but soundly beat last year’s numbers,” David Heilbrunn, Coffee Fest Show Manager, said. “This is a clear indication that the specialty coffee and gourmet tea industries are continuing to thrive.”

Awards were given to the top three new products at Coffee Fest Seattle. San Francisco Chocolate Factory took home the first place prize with their innovative “Coffee Lovers Chocolate Collection.” Second place went to Timolino, for their Countertop Carafe, and Innovated Products received the third place prize for their new Metal Coffee Bean Bin for the home.

The second annual Dillanos Latte Art Competition was a tremendous success and featured the defending champion from both last year’s Seattle show and this year’s Las Vegas show. Both Zack Lacik (Seattle ’02 champion) and Sammy Piccolo (Las Vegas ‘03 champion) are baristas at Caffe Artigiano in Vancouver, B.C. Both were early favorites to win the Seattle ‘03 championship. In addition, competitors participated from Tokyo, Japan and Taipei, Taiwan. When the qualifying rounds had completed Saturday the stage was set for the Coffee Fest Seattle Free Pour Latte Art Championships on Sunday. Both Zack and Sammy qualified as did a representative from both Japan and Taiwan. The finals were truly a global affair with Japan, Taiwan, United States and Canada all represented.

The championship was ultimately won by a barista from Caffe Artigiano. The surprise, however, was that it wasn’t one of the defending champions, but instead their counterpart, J.C. Morris. Barely squeaking into the competition as the last of ten qualifiers, J.C. led off the competition on Sunday, set the bar, and, as it turned out, the bar was never raised. Final results were as follows:
1st place JC Morris, Caffe Artigiano $1,000
2nd Place, Zack Laic, Caffe Artigiano $500
3rd Place, Bronwen Serna Hines Public Market Seattle Washington $250
4th place Sammy Piccolo, Caffe Artigiano, Vancouver, B.C. $0

After three Coffee Fest Free Pour Latte Art Competitions, it is clear that Caffe Artigiano in Vancouver, B.C. is the reigning Latte Art Café Champion of the world.

Coffee Fest Seattle attendees and exhibitors alike reported nearly 100% satisfaction with the event. 91% of the attendees surveyed upon exiting the show could come up with no suggestions on how the event could be improved in the future. 93% report that they are likely to return for Coffee Fest Seattle 2004.

Coffee Fest is a trade show catering to the specialty coffee and gourmet tea industries. Coffee Fest’s next show is slated for the New Washington D.C. Convention Center, March 19-21, 2004. Coffee Fest will return to Las Vegas June 12-14, 2004 at the Sands Expo Center/Venetian Hotel and will be co-located with the Great American Dessert Expo.