Toronto, ON--- The country’s biggest coffee and tea get-together, the Canadian Coffee and Tea Expo 2004 is set to take place at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre from June 11-12, 2004. This year’s exciting event will feature more exhibitors, new educational courses for the trade and consumers and will play host to the country’s best espresso machine operators as they compete for top spot at the 2nd annual Canadian Barista Championship.

The Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo has been designed to meet the needs of retailers, restaurateurs, foodservice operators and buyers from all sectors of the trade.

Expo 2004 is Canada’s largest show of its kind featuring over 100 companies displaying products from across North America and around the world at the two-day trade show -- from superautomatic espresso machines, tea filters, roasters, cups and bin dispensers to smoothies, flavourings, organic coffee and tea, gelato and Yerba mate.

The Canadian Barista Championship which debuted at last year’s Expo will again draw large crowds to the trade show floor and be an opportunity for visitors to join in the fun as well as learn about the skills that it takes to make a proper espresso beverage. Coffee bartenders (baristi), well-trained in the art of coffee preparation will take their best shot at the Canadian title and a first prize trip to the World Barista Championships in 2005 in the United States.

New at this year’s educational forum is an all-day intensive seminar for those wishing to open a coffee or tea business, hands-on beginner and advanced workshops presented by the newly launched Canadian Barista Training School, and a coffee and tea knowledge program for the consumer. The trade show will be open one day to consumers who have enrolled in the Consumer Education Program that includes coffee and tea seminars and a home espresso lab on Saturday, June 12.

The trade forum offers the country’s largest educational program for the new entrepreneur and seasoned professional alike. It features more than 20 classes for improving day-to-day operations, building sales, coffee brewing, barista training, tea preparation, retailing and staff training, and presentations on sustainability, industry trends and statistics, roasting, coffee cuppings and tea tastings.

Expo 2004 also offers some great events and networking opportunities including a coffee and tea industry luncheon, welcome reception and a tour of the city’s vibrant coffee and tea establishments.

June is the perfect month to visit Vancouver and the Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo 2004 to be held at theVancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre located at the city’s spectacular harbourfront.

For exhibitor information and visitor registration call: (416) 784-5210,
or fax (416) 784-5243.
E-mail: info@coffee-expo.com
For brochures, updated program and on-line registration visit www.coffee-expo.com

Media are invited to attend. To receive your complimentary media pass, you can register on-line or call 416 784-5210.



Calendar Update
Editors – please add the following to your Industry Calendar

Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo 2004
Canadian Barista Championships
June 11-12, 2004
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
Contact: Tel: (416) 784-5210
Email: info@coffee-expo.com
www.coffee-expo.com