Kevin Sinnott, creator of CoffeeCON is well known in the coffee world. He has written two books: "Great Coffee" and "The Art & Craft of Coffee." He has produced a DVD on coffee brewing. He started writing reviews of coffee makers back in the 1990s as "The Coffee Companion." I spoke with Kevin about the upcoming CoffeeCON
1. How did CoffeeCON come about?
Kevin says, "Well this is a first for consumers. I had gone to specialty coffee trade shows. I had such a passion for coffee. You're not always welcome at trade shows. They are industry driven, and not at my level of coffee passion. They're trade driven.
Kevin found he liked being around the coffee industry, but the topics and demonstrations weren't always what he was looking for. Point of Sale machines wasn't his cup of coffee.
Granted, because he was "The Coffee Companion" he was able to meet people who were making the brewing machines and developing techniques. There was, though, another type of event, which really excited him - CamJam.
"I have a passion for audio," Sinnott admits. CamJam is a place where audio aficionados gather and talk and live headphones. He continues, "This really appealed to me. I had a ball. I really enjoyed it. It was great to meet the people whose names I knew from the internet. It was so interesting to finally meet them"
Sinnott realized that there was no place for coffee people to meet, sample coffee, and just talk coffee. He wanted the coffee community to come together. "I did it for myself," Sinnott says, " We get to do next to each other what we like to do. It's like having a meal together."
CoffeeCON came together after he applied for a micro grant from the city of Warrenville, to generate an event which would bring people into the town. "I went for broke," Sinnott says, " I invited only players, not the marketing folks in coffee. I'm not sure what they thought it would be like - poetry readings and music?"
Sinnott knew he had something special when he invited specialty coffee pioneer George Howell to last year's event, and no one left the 2 1/2 hour talk. No one was bored. Kevin knows the people coming are true coffee lovers. "This attracts people who really want to come and be a part of something," he says, "Where else can you go where local coffee roasters can compare beans from different regions and brewing styles?"
2. How should someone plan their day at CoffeeCON?
"Well," Sinnott admits," You can't see everything; you have to decide what you want to see." Other than George Howell, Kevin is looking forward to Christy Thorns of Allegro Coffee. Kevin says, "Christy has some of the best taste buds around. She knows coffee. She is extremely knowledgable about the coffee and their regions. Trust her to give you the skinny on issues, i.e. coffee rust. She's a real straight shooter. I respect her.
Whether you are sitting in on Howell's or Thorns, or Oren Bloostein's presentation, Kevin suggests,
"Attend a main presentation. Look at the various class schedules. We have made them open so people can wander in and out. Leave plenty of time to walk the exhibit floor. Check out each roaster. You may find some beans from the same region, maybe even the same kind of beans, and see how different roasters roast them. There will be food as well. Food Trucks will be outside for people to enjoy. "
On CoffeeCON's website is a list of all the classes and lectures. Kevin hinted though there is more, "Even on that day, we will add some people and classes I am still putting together," he says.
3. Who should come to CoffeeCON?
"This isn't just for hipsters," Kevin says, "What is hip is hipsters and non-hipsters together." In other words, if you love coffee, this is the place for you. Kevin adds, "The trade didn't think of it. This addresses the needs of people who love coffee."
4. What are you looking forward to?
Kevin laughes, "That's a great question. I'm looking forward to tasting different brews from different brewing methods; comparing with someone else the brewing. We'll have almost all the different brewing methods, and I want to experience all of them. This is a great chance to introduce new brewers to people, and they'll be excited about the different methods. I'll also get to meet other enthusiasts and that is exciting too."
This is a labor of love for Sinnott. "I don't know why it hadn't happened before. If we aren't the first to do it, then we are practically first.
As CoffeeCON grows closer, I will share more of my talk with Kevin Sinnott. If you haven't gotten your tickets for CoffeeCON 2013, what are you waiting for?
www.coffee-con.com
Charlie
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