ILLINOIS, USA: Consumer coffee authority Kevin Sinnott is creating the first-ever international consumer coffee conference to be held, perhaps ironically, in the sleepy Chicago suburb of Warrenville, Illinois. He unveils CoffeeCON 2012, a special day-long happening on Saturday, February 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the IBEW building, 28600 Bella Vista Parkway.
This is an opportunity to journey into the world’s most amazing coffee varieties from around the world and learn about brewing, and even roasting, in every style imaginable. Top world amateur and professional coffee experts will present a wide variety of seminars and hands-on labs. Attendees will sample the world’s best beans and experiment with the latest brewing equipment. Exhibitors will include many high-end coffee roasters, coffee equipment manufacturers, coffee farmers and innovative coffee products.
Musicians will entertain all day, with string quartets in the morning and light jazz groups in the afternoon. Local restaurant food and free foodie treats will be available.
Warrenville resident Kevin Sinnott, nationally recognized coffee expert and author of two books about coffee, will host the event that is drawing coffee authorities and corporate exhibitors from around the world.
“This promises to be the ultimate coffee brewing event. I’ve learned so much, and I’ve had a great desire to share this knowledge with others. The web has brought a coffee information boom. Yet, we need to taste, see and touch all the available beans and gear – and we need to meet each other. What better way than to bring industry leaders, expert amateur icons, top coffee bloggers and manufacturers all together to mingle and share with passionate coffee drinkers,” Sinnott said. “I know everyone who comes will learn so much and be absolutely awed by the experience.”
Sinnott’s consumer advocacy does not exclude large manufacturers. Springfield-based BUNN will be there to introduce the company’s brand new revolutionary consumer coffee brewing method called “trifecta,” including a hands-on lab. Unlike any other on the market, this machine attempts to automate the best of several manual brewing methods through built-in computer controls for time, temperature, water pressure and turbulence.
Top-notch industry professionals and amateur coffee mavens will teach featured coffee seminars and hands-on classes.
George Howell, pioneer of the specialty coffee movement in the 1970s, founded The Coffee Connection, a high-end coffee retailer in Boston that was acquired by Starbucks. He later founded the George Howell Terroir Coffee Company. An expert on single-origin coffee, he will talk about coffee tasting and methods that enhance the coffee experience.
Oren Bloostein, founder of Manhattan’s iconic Oren’s Daily Roast coffee shops, holds the title of Roaster of the Year by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. He will speak on the hand-pour Chemex and SoftBrew methods as well as provide a practical consumer survival guide to enjoying the best.
