BOGOTA, COLOMBIA--(Marketwired - Sep 22, 2014) - Under the motto "Colombia, land of diversity," ExpoEspeciales 2014 will take place in the Green Pavilion of the International Convention Center Plaza Mayor of Medellin, Colombia, from October 2nd to October 5th. The international specialty coffee fair, which counts with the support of the Antioquia Specialty Coffee Origin Program, will be held simultaneously with Maridaje 2014.
ExpoEspeciales is known for being Latin America's leading specialty coffee fair. As part of its value added strategy, the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) annually organizes the fair in order to promote and provide visibility to the production of high quality coffees from different Colombian coffee growing regions.
The event integrates the coffee value chain and brings together producers, traders, visitors and coffee lovers in one common space. ExpoEspeciales is an attractive scenario for both Latin American consumers and professionals, as well as for Asian, North American and European buyers. More than 70 exhibitors from different countries around the world have already confirmed their participation in ExpoEspeciales 2014.
Aside from being a showcase for coffees from different Colombian regions, the event is a propitious scenario for displaying the coffee industry's trends and innovations in the domestic and international arena. ExpoEspeciales favors the exchange of knowledge and commercial, cultural and academic experiences amongst its attendees. It has become Latin America's leading opportunity for establishing business connections and conducting business in an environment that strengthens and invigorates the coffee industry.
Business at ExpoEspeciales
This year, the FNC and Proexport will organize a business matchmaking among coffee buyers and producers within ExpoEspeciales, during which direct trade relationships can be developed. This innmovative model aims to arrange appointments with buyers and with companies that are interested in proposals and business models that can potentially help them grow within the coffee industry.
IX Colombian Barista Championship and IV National Tasters Championship
The IX Colombian Barista Championship and the IV National Tasters Championship will take place under the frame of ExpoEspeciales 2014. The selected barista champion will represent Colombia in the 2015 World Barista Championship in Seattle, USA.
Baristas are professionals who work with high quality coffees preparing espresso-based drinks and using various types of milks and oils among others. They are held accountable for the presentation of the drinks and can complement their work with "latte art" (shapes).
Academic program
A rich academic program will allow participants to learn about relevant matters related to the Colombian coffee industry such as the diversity of Café de Colombia, the FNC's specialty coffees strategy and market trends in Asia and North America. Additionally, specialists from Cenicafé, who were recently recognized by the international scientific community as world leaders in innovation, will share several developments including the Ecomill® technology for washing coffee, different fermentation processes and sustainability initiatives.
There will also be a discussion group regarding products that are protected with denominations of origin (coffee, Alicante nougat or tequila). Thanks to the support of the Colombian Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, experts in denomination of origin coming from different countries will lead the meeting.
Other events that will enrich ExpoEspeciales' academic agenda include the traditional Q Encounter "Encuentro Q," which is co-organized by the FNC and the Coffee Quality Institute, and the annual meeting of the roaster industry under the Drink Coffee Program.
History
ExpoEspeciales was created to strengthen the coffee industry and invigorate the business revolving around coffee. The first ExpoEspeciales fair took place in 2008 in the city of Neiva.
With great success and an increasing number of attendees, each year ExpoEspeciales promotes a different Colombian coffee region. Ibague (2009), Pasto (2010), Bogota (2011 and 2013) and Popayan (2012) have been the hosts of ExpoEspeciales in previous years. In 2011, when the World Barista Championship was held under the frame of ExpoEspeciales, the fair brought together more than 19,000 attendees.
Frequent exhibitors at ExpoEspeciales include:
- Coffee growers and industry partners (cooperatives, associations)
- Departmental Coffee Grower Committees
- Manufacturers and distributors of equipment and supplies for postharvest processing, coffee production (threshers and rosters), and coffee shops
- Thresher and roaster companies (roasting and grinding)
- Exporters
- NGOs and support institutions
- Financial institutions
- Certifiers
Visitors and buyers include:
- Coffee growers
- Representatives, managers and professionals related to the coffee sector
- Coffee roasters and retailers
- Tasters
- International buyers
- Academia
- Professional baristas from establishments such as hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and bars
- General public
For further information visit www.feriaexpoespeciales.com
Contact Information:
Media contact:
Dana Rozansky