BANGALORE, India – The India International Coffee Festival, ( IICF 2014 ) came to a close on January 25th after five days of intense discussions and knowledge sharing with the primary objective of expanding awareness and consumption of Coffee in the country.
Over five days, speakers, thought leaders and delegates discussed the latest technologies, trends, issues and The Changing Face of Coffee in the Indian Coffee industry and deliberated on avenues to address them.
The five days of workshops, conferences and networking sessions facilitated a deeper understanding of the industry in the countryand the opportunity to initiate long term business discussions between Indian and Global players.
IICF 2014 also witnessed the launch of new blends, products, services and technologies and served as an ideal platform to initiate new entrants into the coffee industry.
The five day summit brought together National and International players in the coffee industry including policy makers, industry captains, exporters, manufacturers and world leaders in the coffee industry. Visitors were treated to an exposition of the latest technologies and products by leading coffee companies.
Instant Coffee makers of India, Café Chains and leading farm equipment and product companies participated for the first time while Global experts held conferences and workshops on the latest marketing and production trends.
Some of the countries that were represented are as follows: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dubai, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, India, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK& USA.
Over 500 delegates attended the International Conference sessions, Skill-Building Workshops saw more than 300 participants, there were 40 national and international speakers and workshop conductors who captivated the industry, more than 250 organisations participated, 57 exhibitors showcased the latest from the world of coffee, IICF 2014 attracted over 3000 business visitors and over 5000 coffee enthusiasts from over the country and the world.
The conferences deliberated on issues such as the changing dimensions of Arabica and Robusta, health aspects of Coffee, innovative and alternative channels of coffee delivery to consumers.
Other important focus areas included the changing patterns of Coffee production including farm mechanisation, sustainable production methods and prudent water management.
Workshops on Processing, Roasting and Brewing were held by leading global companies like Pinhalense, Probat, Buhler, Bunn O Matic, Marco Beverage Systems & Kaapi Machines.
The workshop sessions also saw two new facets which included a session on ‘ Coffee Art on Slk‘ where Ms. Malaa Treon demonstrated how to create art on silk using coffee as a medium.
The ever popular Cooking with Coffee was also back to a packed house.
The IICF 2014 Coffee Expo provided an opportunity for the Coffee industry to unveil outstanding Coffees and blends, cutting edge technologies, new products, farm machinery & equipment and services.
It was also a perfect platform Coffee stakeholders to showcase their products and services to a discerning audience, conduct product sampling and experience instant feedback.
It also provided opportunities for identifying distributors, channel partners and sales and service agencies.
Highlight activities such as the Coffee Awards, Barista Championship and The National Coffee Quiz added flavour to the festival while bringing out the best in the participants. Coffee Board, for the first time, hosted the Barista Championship which saw active participation and competition.
The Coffee Board and IICF 2014 Awards was amongst the most awaited highlights of the festival. IICF 2014 saw the debut of the first ever National Coffee Quiz, the online preliminary round of which was taken by 1,06,000 people from all corners of the country.
Eventually only 6 finalists were chosen from the second round who were in a novel way, paired with an industry mentor each. These 6 industry mentors were chosen from delegates who were attending IICF 2014. A lucky dip was held on Awards night when the 6 industry mentors were selected.
It was a concept that saw the finals become as popular as the online eliminations.
With this the curtains came down on a lively, vibrant, active 5 days of learning, assimilating, exchanging ideas and experiences to tasting gourmet cuisine cooked with coffee, that the 5th Edition of the India International Coffee Festival put together for the Indian and Global Coffee Industry.
The outpouring of support from the industry strengthens the resolve of the India Coffee Trust supported by the Coffee Board to make each edition bigger and better and more enduring for the industry and its stakeholders.
