COFFEE FEST TRADE SHOWS NAMED TO TRADE SHOW WEEK’S FASTEST 50

Seattle, WA - Trade Show Week Magazine, the leading trade show and event production publication, has honoured two Coffee Fest Trade Shows as among the 50 fastest growing trade shows in North America at the 4th annual Fastest 50 awards ceremony, held Saturday, November 11th in Boston, MA.  The two shows earning national recognition were Coffee Fest Chicago and Coffee Fest Las Vegas.

The Fastest 50 competition is open to the more than 3000 trade, consumer and association shows produced in the United States and Canada.  To be eligible, shows must have been produced in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Exhibitor net square footage is the primary determining criteria, and the 50 winners were chosen as the shows with the greatest percentage of growth from 2003-2005.

“In light of everything that has been happening in our country, including fuel prices which can affect travel planning, we’re elated that Coffee Fest continues to demonstrate steady growth,” said Show Manager David Heilbrunn.  “While the trade show industry as a whole was reporting projected growth along the lines of 3-5% on average, Coffee Fest has been clipping along at 20 to 40% exhibitor growth and 25% to 30% attendee growth.”

“Coffee Fest is honoured to be recognized by our peers because they understand what it takes to organize these shows,” said Heilbrunn. “This Fastest 50 award really acknowledges our entire staff’s hard work and dedication to each of our events.  Their energy and enthusiasm breed success, and we’re looking forward to continuing to make an impact in the Coffee Business for many years to come.”  Ultimately it is also the coffee industry as a whole that deserves our gratitude for these awards.  Attendees and exhibitors alike are free to invest their marketing dollars as they see fit and increasingly they are seeking out Coffee Fest.  To them we say thank you and promise to continue to support the coffee industry in the manner they have come to know and expect from us.”

Coffee Fest was first recognized by The Fastest 50 in 2004, and has since earned recognition for five shows over the past three consecutive years, with Coffee Fest Las Vegas taking honors in all three competitions.  Additionally, in 2001 Heilbrunn earned The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Award for managing Coffee Fest. “The Expo Group Show Manager of the Year Award was presented to the top four trade show managers annually who are passionate about providing their customers with a first-rate experience,” said Ray Pekowski, founder and president of the ExpoGroup.  “To be recognized by peers and customers says a great deal about the winners’ talents and abilities.”

Coffee Fest remains dedicated to the growth and proliferation of the specialty coffee, gourmet tea and alternative beverage industries in the United States and worldwide.

Coffee Fest’s 2007 schedule is as follows: Coffee Fest Chicago, February 23-25, at Chicago’s Navy Pier; Coffee Fest Atlanta, June 1-3, at Atlanta’s Cobb Galleria; and Coffee Fest Seattle, November 9-11 2007, at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.  

For more information, visit www.coffeefest.com or call 425.283.5058.