National Automatic Merchandising Association Celebrates Record-Breaking CoffeeTea&Water 2012 Show
Refreshment industry leaders from around the world gathered Nov. 13 to 15 in New Orleans for the biggest and best ever education and networking event for coffee, tea and water service operators, CoffeeTea&Water 2012 (CT&W), NAMA VP Sales and Service Dean Gilland NCE5, CCS announced. CT&W is the event for operators, suppliers, brokers, manufacturers, and distributors in the refreshment service industry, and featured the latest and greatest products from over 150 suppliers, 16 free interactive and dynamic education sessions and two memorable keynote speakers, Ric Rhinehart, executive director of the Specialty Coffee Association and Mike Dabadie, president of Heart+Mind Strategies.
When asked about the event Gilland said, in a prepared statement, “There is no question that this was a blockbuster, record shattering event. We had a 15 percent increase in overall attendance, a 15 percent increase in exhibitors, and an astonishing 36 percent increase in operator companies. And as a result of the excitement, there’s no question that next year is sure to be even better.”
NAMA’s CoffeeTea&Water is the place for leaders in coffee, tea and water to gather to see everything that’s new in the industry. The event features new coffee equipment, new brewing supplies and products and education sessions designed to help attendees learn how to brew the best coffee and tea possible. This year’s event also included the findings from a 2012 research project funded by NAMA and conducted by Heart+Mind Strategies indicating what consumers want from their coffee, tea and water service in the workplace.
During this year’s show more than 100 attendees also participated in the New Orleans Port and the Dupuy green coffee facility tour, including several NAMA board members. Said Pete Tullio, NCE, CCS, Chairman-Elect, “Like a lot of my colleagues, I recognized how important this event is to my business and to the industry generally. I wouldn’t have missed it and I urge my friends in the refreshment industry to make sure that they attend next year.”
