FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – May 30, 2024 – Coffee Fest, the premier business resource for the specialty coffee community, is thrilled to announce its upcoming event in New Orleans, taking place from June 14 & 15, 2024. This highly anticipated event promises to be a dynamic and enriching experience, offering an unparalleled opportunity for coffee professionals to connect, learn, and grow. 

Coffee Fest has been a cornerstone of the specialty coffee industry since its founding in 1992. Over the years, it has expanded to serve large and small specialty coffee markets across the United States, hosting events four times a year. Coffee Fest New Orleans will continue this tradition, bringing together industry professionals and trusted brands for a comprehensive two-day event. 

Experience and Learn 

At Coffee Fest New Orleans, attendees will have access to over 80 hours of educational content, including seminars, workshops, and discussions led by industry experts. This extensive program is designed to help coffee professionals at all levels enhance their knowledge and skills, with sessions covering key areas such as Business Operations, Roasting & Green Coffee, and Skills Training. 

Educational Sessions and Venues 

Lectures and Seminars: With over 50 free seminars included with registration, attendees can learn from industry experts and seasoned professionals. These sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Workshops: Limited-capacity workshops hosted by industry leading trainers and experienced educators offer lecture-style intensives with interactive components, certificate programs, and personalized interaction, with fees ranging from $49 to $299. 

Here are just a few of the BRAND NEW workshops coming to Coffee Fest New Orleans: 

• Brewing Up a Buzz: Unconventional Marketing Strategies: Taught by Ian Williams of Deadstock Coffee. This workshop explores unique marketing strategies tailored to individual brands and communities, providing tools to craft effective and distinctive marketing plans. 

• Learning CQI Flavor Standards: Taught by Joseph Stazzone of Cafe Kreyol. This new 179-level Coffee Quality Institute class is ideal for coffee professionals seeking to master flavor standards and calibrate for the Q-Grader test. Learn to recognize and recall 14 CQI Flavor Standards, including positive attributes and off-flavors, and practice for the flavor calibration test. A CQI certificate is awarded upon completion, laying a strong foundation for your Q Grader journey or recalibration. 

• Including the Cezve / Ibrik Brew Method in the Modern Coffee Shop: Taught by Turgay Yildizli, 2013 Cezve/Ibrik Champion. This workshop dives into the history, coffee selection, and equipment for Turkish coffee. Learn to integrate Turkish coffee into your menu, craft specialty beverages, and present it to customers. Enhance your coffee shop's offerings with this unique brewing method and its cultural significance. 

• Tasting The Flavor Wheel: Building Your Palate For Coffee: Hosted by Cafe Imports. This session focuses on mastering the coffee flavor wheel through guided tasting exercises. Understand the difference between taste and flavor, explore human taste perception, and analyze coffee flavors. Train your palate with practical exercises, enhancing your ability to identify and describe coffee nuances. 

• Creating and Curating Effective Systems in Your Shop: Taught by Chris Deferio. This interactive workshop addresses the need for clear, relevant systems in coffee shops. Learn to design, implement, and enforce systems that support tasks, culture, and management. Gain tools to reduce inconsistency, frustration, and turnover, ultimately enhancing the experience for both staff and customers. 

Hands-On Training: a variety of small group classes offer hands-on training, practical theory, and one-on-one practice time with dedicated guidance from seasoned educators. These sessions are designed to provide in-depth, practical experience in key areas: 

• Dialing in Espresso 

• Free Pour Latte Art 

• Barista Basics 

• Cupping 

• Tasting the Flavor Wheel 

• Espresso Machine Maintenance 

• Alternative Milk Steaming Science 

• Brewing Non-Coffee (Tea!) Based Beverages 

Each class is limited in capacity to ensure personalized attention and ample practice time on the espresso machines, allowing attendees to refine their skills and gain confidence in their techniques. 

Conversation Corner: A space on the show floor dedicated to panel discussions on important topics. Hear from renowned local coffee professionals and network with other business owners. 

Roasting Rig: Master the art of roasting with Mill City Roasters' comprehensive education sessions held in their hallmark big red roast truck. Discover wide-ranging topics, from roasting foundations through to roastery architecture and design. 

Cupping Corner: Engage in exciting cupping classes, competitions, hands-on tasting workshops, and mini-sessions presented by Cafe Imports. 

Business Building Essentials: Brainstorm and learn business-enhancing strategies with fellow operators, presented by Dillanos Coffee Roasters & Barista 22. 

Barista Playground: An interactive zone for both new and experienced baristas to refine their skills, presented by Synesso, Ghost Town Oats, and Simple Cart Systems. 

Just a Few of the Notable Speakers at Coffee Fest New Orleans:

• Bob Arceneaux, Owner, Orleans Coffee: Bob began his coffee career in 1988 and deepened his expertise after a pivotal trip to Guatemala in 1991. He worked at Orleans Coffee for 12 years before becoming the owner in 2007. As the company’s green coffee buyer, he collaborates with importers and producers to source specialty coffees. Bob is a two-time member of the original Coffee Roasters Guild, focusing on the education of coffee roasters worldwide. 

• Maggie Davis, Brand Ambassador/Consultant, Pacific Foods: Maggie’s diverse coffee industry experience includes roles from barista to Director of Coffee. She is passionate about coffee quality, education, and customer service.  

• Doron Petersan, CEO, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats: Doron, a vegan New Yorker with a degree in Dietetics, founded Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats in Washington, DC. She aims to create delicious plant-based treats and has won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars twice. Doron has appeared on The Cooking Channel and NBC’s The Today Show, and her bakery has served celebrities like Miley Cyrus.  

• Jonathan Riethmaier, Co-Owner, Mammoth Coffee Company: With nearly two decades in specialty coffee, Jonathan co-founded Mammoth Espresso in New Orleans in 2016 and Mammoth Coffee Company in 2021. He oversees roasting, production, and sourcing, along with daily operations of the café and wholesale business. 

• Chris Deferio, Owner/Founder, Keys to the Shop Consulting: An award-winning coffee professional with 23 years of industry experience, Chris has held numerous training, management, and leadership roles. He is a 3-time latte art champion and US Barista Championship finalist, and hosts the internationally recognized coffee podcast, Keys to the Shop®. 

• Eric Grimm, Chief Experience Officer, Ghost Town Oats: With 16 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry, Eric specializes in catering events, human resources, and community building. They co-founded Ghost Town Oats, a barista-owned oat milk company. 

• Lauren Lathrop, Director of Education, Mill City Roasters: Lauren has served as a Head Judge and National Coordinator for the US Coffee Championships and is a Brand Ambassador for Pacific Barista Series. She emphasizes high-quality training and calibration with industry peers. 

• Ian Williams, Founder, Deadstock Coffee: Ian is the founder of Deadstock Coffee, a sneaker-themed coffee shop in Portland. He previously worked at Nike and now focuses on unique marketing strategies, coffee roasting, and sharing his unique ideas through big forums such as TEDx. 

VIEW FULL SHOW SCHEDULE

Latte Art World Championship Open (LAWCO) 

One of the most exciting highlights of Coffee Fest New Orleans is the Latte Art World Championship Open (LAWCO). This thrilling 64-competitor, bracket-style, sudden-death competition features head-to-head matches between the world’s most talented baristas. Each competitor produces one free-pour drink for the judges, using only milk and espresso – no etching, tools, or powders allowed. The drinks are then scored, and the competitor with the highest score advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated. This intense and visually stunning competition showcases the pinnacle of latte art skill and creativity. 

Join the Community 

Coffee Fest is more than just a tradeshow; it is an immersive experience that fosters thought leadership and stimulates business growth within the specialty coffee community. Attendees will have the chance to discover new products, explore emerging trends, and engage deeply with the industry's best and brightest. 

EVENT DETAILS 

Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA 

Dates: June 14 & 15, 2024 

Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity to enhance your business and connect with the specialty coffee community. Register now and take advantage of the diverse learning and networking opportunities Coffee Fest New Orleans has to offer. 

For more information and to register, visit www.coffeefest.com 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Coffee Fest – Clarion Events 

Email: info@coffeefest.com 

Note to Editors: High-resolution images and interviews with event organizers and presenters are available upon request.