A caffeine kick from beverage bonanza

The Middle East tea and coffee industry’s first dedicated trade event makes its debut in Dubai

The region’s first trade show dedicated to the tea and coffee trade took place last month, with exhibitors from across the region showcasing their beverage products.

The Specialty Coffee and Tea Convention also featured the first UAE Barista Championship, adding extra sparkle to the show.

Bringing together a range of regional and national suppliers, the event at Al Bustan Rotana Dubai also provided a series of seminars and workshops for attendees, on topics ranging from espresso basics to franchise opportunities.

Merchant Star International managing director Ali Kadkhodaei, whose company is the regional distributor partner of Austrian coffee firm Julius Meinl, described the show as a “coffee connoisseur’s haven”.

“Being involved with a show that targets coffee and tea is important for us,” he added.

“I think the quality of people here has been high, as they were all involved in the industry and a show like this is a good place for us to target customers in the UAE.”

Boncafé Middle East marketing and PR manager Sally Francis said that the show had also been a good opportunity to check out competitors.

“We will probably do it again next year, even if the footfall was smaller than we imagined,” commented Francis.

“It has been good for the industry however, and we have to be here — not to be involved would be bad for business.”

Coffee Planet managing director Richard Jones added that the UAE Barista Championship had been a valuable opportunity for the industry to pay attention to its key service staff.

“The region’s coffee market is still immature and the barista profession needs to be better supported in the region,” he said.

“A show like this is about putting the UAE on the map; it is all about networking and not so much about business.”