LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Coffee lovers with a professional grind can perk up Friday as Coffee Fest Los Angeles begins a two-day run at the Los Angeles Convention Center, offering a blend of education, competitions, networking and all things caffeinated.
The business-to-business trade show runs Friday and Saturday in South Hall G of the convention center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., bringing together coffee and restaurant professionals, cafe operators, roasters and entrepreneurs hoping to pour themselves into the specialty coffee business, according to organizers.
The exhibit floor is open until 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Organizers said the gathering is designed to give industry professionals a chance to espresso themselves while connecting face-to-face with suppliers, educators, experts and others in the specialty coffee community.
For attendees looking to sharpen their skills without getting into hot water, the show’s education program includes lectures, panel discussions, workshops and hands-on training covering business operations, roasting and green coffee, drink preparation and other industry topics.
Friday’s schedule includes sessions on barista basics, espresso extraction and milk techniques, customer engagement and other subjects aimed at helping coffee businesses keep their operations from going stale.
Specialty areas include the Roasting Hub, Cupping Corner, Conversation Corner, Latte Art Venue and Tech Lab, giving attendees plenty of grounds to explore beyond the main exhibit floor.
General admission badges include access to lectures, panel discussions and show-floor events. Attendees can also add paid workshops and hands-on training sessions, while Gold Pass holders receive admission to select workshops that otherwise carry an additional fee.
Coffee Fest is not intended as a public java jamboree. Organizers said the event is open to coffee and restaurant professionals and people seriously planning to enter the specialty coffee or tea business.
People who have not yet opened a business can attend, with startup education and resources available for would-be cafe and coffee-shop operators.
Coffee Fest has been serving up industry trade shows since 1992. The Los Angeles gathering is organized by Clarion Events and is billed as a resource for independent specialty coffee businesses on the West Coast.
And for anyone who still has enough beans in the tank after a full day of brewing up business connections, an official opening-night party is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Continental Club in downtown Los Angeles. An RSVP is required.
Additional information, schedules and registration are available on the Coffee Fest Los Angeles website at https://www.coffeefest.com/los- angeles/attend.
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