European Coffee, Tea & Soft Drinks Expo, the only, and fastest growing, hospitality industry show 100% devoted to the profitable service and sales of coffee, tea and soft beverages, has received a massive thumbs up from the beverage industry, experiencing a significant uplift in attendance to 3,688, and a strong rebook. The organisers have been overwhelmed with exceptionally positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike, putting the foundations in place for the 2020 event to grow substantially.
A range of newly launched visitor attractions attracted glowing feedback from visitors and participants. The Barista Masterclass welcomed two World Champion Baristas and the current UK Champion plus a host of other highly talented Barista Stars, with many visitors commenting that it was unprecedented to have so many famous faces from the coffee world taking to the stage at one event.
The Roastery Masterclasses were also jam-packed, and even featured a live link up with Casey LaLonde from Girls Who Grind Coffee and her producer in El Salvador where she has a direct relationship, while roasting her coffee and followed by a tasting. Tom Booth, Sales Director (UK), algrano, commented, “There were so many presentations that I missed as there was loads that I wanted to see.”
The Tea Quarter and Tea Theatre also proved to be a highlight: “I’m loving the tea element of the show this year, it really adds to both the size and the offer. Great to see cannabis tea here too. We’re stocking it in all our shops and it’s selling really well.” Russell Kerr, Owner, Doctor Espresso
All of these areas will continue to grow for 2020, with exciting new plans in place to substantially increase the focus on these areas. Soft Drinks are also high on the agenda for 2020 with an exciting new initiative set to exploit the huge potential for this section of the drinks market.
These features, in addition to over 150 exhibitors and 300 brands attracted an audience of serious buyers, the vast majority of whom exhibitors and sponsors, would not meet anywhere else, from a broad range of famous well-known major corporate caterers to artisan coffee shops and everyone in between.
John Bednall, CEO, European Coffee, Tea & Soft Drinks Expo said, “The show has gone from strength to strength, with many visitors and exhibitors commenting that even though the event is only in the second year it feels like a much more mature and established show. With exciting plans already in place for the 2020 event, and a phenomenal rebook on-site with many exhibitors booking larger stands, European Coffee, Tea & Soft Drinks Expo 2020 is set to be another storming show.”
‘Genuinely one of the most useful expos we have been to! In the process of opening a fine dining gastropub and this is exactly what we needed! Thank you!’ Daniel Crump, The Greyhound Pub & Dining, Beaconsfield
“The quality of the visitors to the show has been unparalleled to other shows we have been to.” Richard Martin, new business director Aqua Libra drinks, which is owned by Britvic
“Compared to other coffee festivals it was consistently busy and we had time to interact and make meaningful connections. The people who came here were genuinely interested in our coffee. It has been phenomenal.” Laura Wogan, director at Wogan Coffee
“This is our second year at the show, certainly more visitors this year, and we can see the marketing has really ramped up. We’re very confident, a show of choice for tea and coffee and people in the industry. We’re pleased with all the organizer’s efforts.” Shamir Shah. Managing Director, Swiss Pack Europe
“These events showcase our total coffee solution to our existing customers, but also for new business. We’ve been talking to a lot of potential new customers as well as our existing customers. It’s a great showcase for us, and also a great place to meet, have a coffee and talk to our friends, colleagues across the industry. I think the European Coffee Tea Expo for us, it’s just a great opportunity to meet existing customers and drive new business.” Marcus Swift, Commercial Director, UCC Coffee
“It is important, it gathers coffee professionals, new ideas, the new products, new coffees and most importantly panels. I believe that shows like that can actually make our industry grow bigger and stronger. So they are very, very important.” Agnieszka Rojewska, World Barista Champion 2018
“We have had a good flow of people and been impressed with our first year at the show. We have seen some independent operators and larger groups. The whole Expo has been great.” Kate Ailey, marketing manager at Italian Beverage Company
EUROPEAN COFFEE EXPO, LONDON’S OLYMPIA, MAY 19th and 20th 2020 https://www.european-coffee-tea-soft-drinks-expo.com/