Seattle CoffeeFest 2007

[mogogear]

CoffeeFest is coming!!

Are any lever-heads ( or others --- we do mingle well ) going to this in Seattle? I will be at the show for a couple of days and it might be really nice to meet up before, during or after for what ever..

Consider the invite thrown down!

[kinkbmxco]

I thought I read somewhere that you had to be directly affiliated with coffee through your business or something in order to attend... and that its not open to the general public. Is there a way to get around this?

[mogogear]

I thought I read somewhere that you had to be directly affiliated with coffee through your business or something in order to attend... and that its not open to the general public. Is there a way to get around this?

That is a true remembrance on your part. I do not know if you are planning someday to open a coffee shop, or some day being a barista ......That information is ASKED for in the registration. I do work for a manufacturer that supplies the coffee trade ( nothing ever pushed here ) I am a member here purely from an enthusiast point of view.

So maybe we will see you there......

[john_K]

Hi Greg....

I'm attending. Let's plan a meet up.

john

[1st-line]

I thought I read somewhere that you had to be directly affiliated with coffee through your business or something in order to attend... and that its not open to the general public. Is there a way to get around this?

Typically, this show is for the coffee trade. HOWEVER, if a person is 'interested' or "exploring only the idea" in opening a coffee shop, one can attend and enter the show. HOWEVER, please do show the utmost respect of the vendors' time during the first 2 days. The best day of the Coffeefest show is usually the last day (in this case Sunday) as it is least busy for the vendors.

I do have a bunch of unique coupon codes (up to 4 free admissions per coupon code) if anyone is interested. Please email me on the sales address on our website.

[mogogear]

Great John -I welcome the chance to meet more HBer's( and others) -

Jim - a very nice and generous gesture on your part. And thank you for stating what I was cautiously alluding to in order to attend. Also the etiquette tips. This is one of the few shows that I don't have to be assigned to a booth for the duration... a blessing.

Hordes of "freebie" hounds or unintentionally intrusive enthusiasts can make an expensive show less than fruitful. To interrupt sometimes crucial momentary contact with the people you really need face time with is a heart break. Just be aware of not dominating vendors if customers approach. We are all happy to chat and supply information etc when there is time. Allow those working to be attentive to prospects when they arrive.

If someone is looking at your badge and trying to get a fix on if you have "buying potential" you might let them know that you are with a buyer and not one yourself- this helps them and should not cause make you feel less than comfortable. That is the game.

There is a ton of information to be gleaned just being in earshot of most sales pitches. Usually most customers are asking questions you might want to know the answer to. Have fun.

I will be there- Friday afternoon for the last few hours, Most of Saturday and early Sunday - till about noon.

[Fullsack]

Greg, thanks for coming up with such a great idea!

I went last year and had a terrific time, met 1st-Line Jim and some other espresso luminaries. I will make it again this year, but this time as someone in the business. I ordered a Diedrich IR3 when I was in Sandpoint, have some industrial space in Pleasanton and am gearing up to start in the roasting business at the beginning of next year.

I'm looking forward to meeting you and some of the other leverheads.

[mogogear]

Bump ! Its coming- John K and Fullsack--Prof_stack is going to appear, I believe on Saturday -I will PM each of you my cell number- I am attending( well I am signed up for) a class and maybe helping at the Maui Beverages booth off and on.

Hope to see you - and others - there...

[Fullsack]

I ordered a Diedrich IR3 when I was in Sandpoint, have some industrial space in Pleasanton and am gearing up to start in the roasting business at the beginning of next year

Now it's a Probat L12, long story.

See you all in Seattle.

[mogogear]

Sand Point! Home to most of the submarine training for WW2 9 (in the lake) and home to some great coffee roasters ! but the Pro will work too!

Good news - I have had a chance to drink an espresso with Norm before and it will be great to see him again- Shoot he is now on his second lever! and his 37 grinder ( Prof_Stack) so I really look forward to meeting Doug and you too John.

See you soon

[peacecup]

Cheers to a good coffeefest to all you leverwrights. Too bad there aren't any fish meetings at Sandpoint this weekend. Hope you all can find a lever machine in some corner of that place so you can toast with a real espresso (only kidding). We'll look forward to hearing a report.

PC

[mogogear]

If we see 1 lever machine there- I will call it a victory!

[gscace]

If we see 1 lever machine there- I will call it a victory!

Check Simonelli's booth. They may have one of their 3-groups.

-Greg

[peacecup]

If not you can always run over to Tutta Bella where they keep a 3 group Victoria Arduino hot and ready:

http://www.tuttabella.com/menu/

Say hi to Jim S from the #1 Ponte Vecchio fan!

PC

[mogogear]

A brief hint to levers seen:

A 2 group La San Marco - at the Michaelo Booth- not serving

A brand to be remembered and edited tomorrow - A 3 group at the Cafe Vita booth - serving- Yea! The doppio was -OK....

The La Pavoni booth did have some Europiccola's-

But this show is about commercial world machines .... so to even see home machines was nice


A sweet Faema- E61 was nice to see that the old classic style has not been forgotten

A odd-"didn't see" note:

I didn't see much in the way of grinders?

Did I just not see Gaggia anywhere?

More tomorrow.....

[prof_stack]

Three Lever-Heads:

In order, Fullsack - Prof Stack - Mogogear.

As a "guest" I just wandered around snapping photos and trying some samples of this and that, including something called Malabar Gold:



A full palete of flavors in this stuff. Crema that wouldn't quit. And a steady line of people waiting for some.

[prof_stack]

It was great "hangin'" with my homies Greg and Doug for awhile. It wasn't so great getting all that caffeine and coming down from the high later.

But the trade show was fascinating. A lot of cafe suppliers with assorted foods and chocolates and such.

The barista competition was fun to watch. The fellow who bought the Sama Export from me was the last competitor of the afternoon. He was not confident he would be in the top six for the day and advance. He is happy with the Sama and is using it to "train" the guys at his work about lever machines. Something about furthering their education.

Here's a lever machine from Michaelo's in Seattle, not serving espresso. La San Marco I believe:

[prof_stack]

How about a three group lever from La Victoria thanks to the Portland Roasting Company:


The badge:

[prof_stack]

More pix:


Mogogear wanted Timo888 to see this.


Can you guess what this clever thing is?

[prof_stack]

Coffee on the go: