European Coffee Symposium to focus on future of coffee industry

The sixth annual European Coffee Symposium, taking place on 28 November in Paris, has officially announced the full line-up for this year's event. The 2013 edition will explore several key themes centred on the future of coffee, with a strong focus on both French and European markets. “France has been long thought of as an espresso drinking market with low coffee standards and highly traditional consumption behaviour, but times are changing,” said Jeffrey Young, Managing Director, The Allegra Group. “Paris in particular is now seeing a phenomenal rise in new artisan concepts across coffee, food and informal restaurant outlets. Paris is now attracting international players such as Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee, with the French market offering significant scope for growth.” According to Allegra Strategies, the French branded coffee shop market is forecast to grow at more than 10 per cent per year over the next three years and is expected to become increasingly dynamic and vibrant. This year’s conference is titled ‘The Future is Now’, and will welcome more than 400 senior executives to this industry think tank. The conference will provide delegates with fresh ideas on how to explore new avenues of business development and growth. With contributions from industry thought leaders, the program will deliver relevant and actionable business insight, inspirational thinking, lively debate and enhanced networking opportunities. The day will also see the launch of Allegra Strategies’ highly anticipated ProjectCafé13 EU report. The first session titled ‘Local Insight with Global Relevance’ will start with a keynote speech from Young and the launch of ProjectCafé13 EU – an authoritative annual study of the growing and dynamic European branded coffee shop market. The session will be driven by leading-edge market analysis, and will see some of the most influential thought leaders in the French market take to the stage. Major players such as Nicolas Riché, CEO, Columbus Café; Annabelle Jacquier, Head of Project McCafé; Tom Clark, Owner, Coutume Café; Jim Slater, Managing Director and Stephen Holloway, Director General, Costa Coffee will all share their industry success stories whilst discussing future opportunities in France and the changing coffee landscape. The second session, entitled 'Strategic Vision for Brand Success',  will concentrate on branding strategy and digital consumer engagement. Speakers in this session are: John Nylen, COO, Espresso House; Christian Kohlhof, CEO, Chicco di café  and Christophe Reale, Managing Director, espressamente illy – each exploring branding case studies and business lessons from across the Swedish, German and Italian markets respectively.  This session also features Eric Maillard, Managing Director of renowned Ogilvy Public Relations France as well as Laurent Bourgitteau-Guiard, General Manager, Snapp offering ‘outside insights’ on how companies can digitally connect with a new discerning coffee consumer. This session will end with a panel discussion 'Future of Coffee and Branded Chains within Europe'. The third session, entitled 'Elevating Standards and Thinking Ahead',  will focus on the business of roasting, with speakers such as Salvatore Malatesta and Matt Perger from St ALi (Australia) and Robert W. Thurston, Roaster and Professor (United States) offering a global perspective on this lucrative market. This session will explore how the industry is adapting to changing tastes and emerging trends, with compelling case studies and future predictions for European roasting markets. Other speakers include: Reinhold Schäerf, Managing Director, Coffeeshop Company and Rob Berghmans, Owner, Caffènation Specialty Coffee Roasters. The day will conclude with a panel discussion on ‘The Future of Roasting’. The event is being sponsored by United Coffee, Solo Cup Europe (now part of Dart Container), Château Blanc, Brita Professional Teisseire and Contigo.
 For more informaiton visit www.europeancoffeesymposium.com