U.S. Seeks To Strengthen The International Coffee Organization

The Bush administration hopes to revive the International Coffee Organization. In a formal submission to the ICO, the U.S. government advocates "substantial reforms" that will enhance the ICO's effectiveness as the chief intergovernmental body for the worldwide coffee industry in the context of free markets and a changing global economy. The National Coffee Association has released a statement in support of the U.S. government's position.

The government believes that current articles of the International Coffee Agreement, set to expire in 2007, need to reflect changes in the global market. Among emerging issues to bed addressed are the implications of international economic integration, the growing importance of developing countries on consumers, the inevitable volatility in coffee prices, market-based mechanisms for risk management in developing countries, and development of mechanisms to provide access to capital and markets for small producers.

The U.S. government also wants a revised, holistic posture to sustainable coffee production.

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Coffee Fest Las Vegas Starts Tomorrow!

Coffee Fest Las Vegas
June 9-11 2006

Las Vegas Convention Center (Hall N2)

Exhibition hours: Fri & Sat 12:00pm - 5:00pm, Sun 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Early Bird Registration, $20 per person if registered by May 21, 2006, $30 per person after that.

Educational Training: Fri - Sun 8:00am - 12:00pm

Attendees will pay for one admission badge and have access to two first-rate trade shows - Coffee Fest Las Vegas & Dessert Expo

Click here for more info and list of exibitors:

CoffeeFest Exibitors

WATER MUSIC RECORDS RELEASES THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED COMPLETE COFFEE HOUSE COLLECTION

Other than at the GRAMMY Awards, where would you find all of these legends together in the same room? Echo & the Bunnymen, Stereophonics, Duncan Sheik, Moby, Tracy Bonham, Aimee Mann, Nouvelle Vague, Madelaine Peyroux, Delerium, Katy Rose, Heather Nova, Thievery Corporation, Sarah McLachlan, Blank & Jones, Speaking Tongues…At only one other place…the Eclectic Café!

LOS ANGELES, JUNE 20, 2006 –Some of the most creative talents in music have agreed to be part of this remarkable compilation Eclectic Café – The Complete Coffee House Collection. Sixteen cutting edge artists contribute their best tracks to create the ultimate coffee house collection. From Echo & the Bunnymen and Moby, to Speaking Tongues and Aimee Mann, Duncan Sheik and Eldissa, native to France, Eclectic Café – The Complete Coffee House Collection delivers a flavor for every music lover

§ Features a wonderfully eclectic blend of singer / songwriters, rock bands and electronic artists.
§ Contains fresh songs from the new albums of Duncan Sheik and Tracy Bonham.
§ Classic tracks from Moby, Delerium, Madelaine Peyroux and Katy Rose.

Eclectic Café – The Complete Coffee House Collection will be premiered at “Coffee Fest 2006” (Las Vegas June 9-11) North America’s most important coffee and tea trade show, where copies will be given to all attendees for in-store play at their various venues. 85% of all coffee house owners and managers will attend “Coffee Fest 2006” and will be looking for products to feature in their restaurants.

No matter what style of music you prefer, from singer/songwriter to Jazz, from Pop to Electronica, it all blends together perfectly at the Eclectic Café. Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair; you are about to be astounded by an amazing collection of music!

Water Music Records is an Electronica/Dance record label based in Los Angeles, California, the entertainment capital of the world. Launched in July, 2000, Water Music Records releases, markets and distributes albums in various sub-styles of Electronica including Chill Out, Lounge and Down-Tempo music. Its sister label Water Music Dance releases albums, EPs and singles in the following genres: Trance, Dance and Techno.

For more information, please call Mary Dolezal at 818-808-0800 Ext. 203 or email mary@watermusicrecords.com.

Competition puts coffee shops through grinder

Closings of area independents highlight difficulty of finding niche as Starbucks gets bigger

By Courtney Blowers
Beacon Journal business writer

Coffee is hot.

As in popular. More than half of American adults drink coffee every day.

Hot as in big business. Coffeehouses are popping up across the country with regularity.

This can be both a blessing and a curse for the independent coffeehouse owner. Increasingly, owning a successful independent coffeehouse depends on a delicate brew of local flavor and that intoxicating coffeehouse atmosphere.

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