Urban Expositions Scoops Up Coffee Fest Shows
June 8, 2017
Urban Expositions scooped up the U.S. Coffee Fest event portfolio from Lifestyle Events, which includes the 2017 Coffee Fest Chicago and Portland events, along with the 2018 Baltimore and Denver shows.
Coffee Fest trade shows launched 25 years ago and focus on the coffee, tea and beverage industry.
“We are pursuing strategic opportunities to grow our business, and specifically our foodservice and hospitality sector. These shows perfectly align with the profile and growth potential we were hoping to add to this portfolio,” said Craig Dooley, president and CEO, Urban Expositions.
He added, “We are proud to welcome the Coffee Fest team to Urban, and are looking forward to working with them to build upon the successful track record that they have firmly established with these shows. By working closely with these veteran team members, we will continue to strengthen and enhance the business and professional growth opportunities these events deliver to the marketplace.”
Representing the next step in Urban Expositions’ strategic expansion plans, according to the company, the Coffee Fest shows join the Kennesaw, Ga.-based show-management Company’s restaurant and foodservice events.
The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show are the only comprehensive events dedicated exclusively to their respective region’s restaurant, hospitality and foodservice industries.
Along with its airport concessions holding, Airport Revenue News (ARN), the group also services the restaurant/foodservice and retail components of the airport industry.
Urban Exposition, which is owned by Clarion Events, will assume ownership immediately and manage the currently running Coffee Fest event in Chicago (June 10-12, Navy Pier).
In conjunction with the acquisition, members of the Coffee Fest leadership and event team have joined Urban Expositions, maintaining their presence in their Washington State office.
“The synergy between the foodservice events and the Coffee Fest events makes Urban Expositions ideally suited to take over the management of these shows,” said David Heilbrunn, CEO and president of Lifestyle Events.
He added, “They understand the specialized needs of B2B events, as well as those serving the hospitality market. Urban has built a strong reputation over the years for its hands-on management style and commitment to customer service – assets that serve them well in the restaurant/hospitality industry and contributes to the continued growth and success of their event portfolio. This evolution of the events will provide growth and new business opportunities for the industry”.
The event calendar for Urban’s foodservice and hospitality portfolio will now include:
Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, Aug. 27-29, Los Angeles Convention Center
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, Sept. 10-12, Orange County Convention Center
Coffee Fest Portland, Oct. 13-15, Oregon Convention Center
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, March 4-6, 2018, Jacob Javits Center
Coffee Fest Baltimore, March 16-18, 2018, Baltimore Convention Center
Coffee Fest Denver, June 8-10, 2018, Colorado Convention Center
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