By Kevin Sinnott – This year’s CoffeeCON was in many ways better for me and, I think for everyone else too. We had a better exhibit layout. The coffee roasters dominated the floor but it worked out nicely. I was worried about them being next door to each other but no problems and even a lot of cooperation between competitors.

Here are some points good and bad:

• George Howell is a superstar.

• Christy Thorns, who had a bad sore throat, had great content.

• Oren – no nonsense. Questions kept coming. Brewing coffee is not simple!

• Jim Schulman outdid himself with both a great espresso and a water presentation.

• Counter Culture did great multi-method brewing seminars.

• Cup of Excellence brought the ultimate coffees for tasting.

• Two presenters did not appear. Scratch them.

• Note to self: bring back coffeology certificates. They mean something.

• Bloggers are new media and they add a lot.

• Live stream numbers indicate we had people attending virtually.

• Jennifer Chen (Chicago Coffee Scene), Chermelle Edwardws (smdlr.com), Coffee Nate (CoffeeNate.com), Robert Caruso (Bundle Post), Nick Usborne (Coffee Detective), Jessi Timmerman (Ramblings of a Caffeinated Army Wife), Charlie Colpaert (“Running With Coffee”), Marc Wortman (MakeGoodCoffee.com) and Anne Reuss (www.annereuss.com) each brought a different perspective than I do. Cool.

• Retain Jennifer Stinnett, CoffeeCON’s social media director.

• Note: Bring bloggers to every CoffeeCON. This group was impressive.

• The building is beautiful but too small. It cost four times as much to use it this year.

• Majority of visitors were not Warrenville. It’s a tourism grant, not resident funded. We did good.

• 1000 attended. Last year – 1200, but this year they came earlier and stayed longer.

• Class and seminar attendance was higher this year.

• Mayor Lund and Dwight Lund hand cut tulips from their garden to use on tables at our Kitchen Aid bloggers luncheon, perhaps the emotional highlight of the event for me.

• Free is not better. With small ($15) fee, we had better engagement and it affected the event positively. The audiences were more enthusiastic.

• I actually lost money, not a good thing, but I’m convinced we can find other ways to increase income and not raise ticket prices.

• Keep ticket prices constant next year. Fluxuations irritate people, but it is the same as seeing someone in front of you at a supermarket with a coupon.

• Artwork much better overall. Last year done by indifferent creative. This year favorite artist Bob Voigtst. He’s the best.

• Do we stay here or go on the road? People ask San Francisco or New York? Events like Newport Jazz Festival or Indy 500 stay in one place. Name a recent event like this? What do you think?

• We need someone with a left brain. Pat and I have ideas and energy but the growing pains hurt.

• Signage is better but when classes moved, we had no contingency to update signage.

• Prize giveaways started early, a big mistake caused by a nervous overreaction. Please forgive me.

• Home roasting is inspired. Scott Marquardt, who’s been with me since day one, did a great job organizing it. I get goose bumps to that some kid seeing their first roasting today will become a great roaster.

• Praise God for the last minute great weather we got.

• Food trucks are excellent. Better and local, not franchisees.

• Honor system for folks when they walked outside or otherwise left the show worked well. At least one person was genuinely touched that we risked it.

• Any classes missing you want?

• Free parking rocks.

• $15 ticket does too.

• Does anybody really want competitions? Do we need to make everything a contest? I don’t want Sumatra to compete with Colombia for best coffee award. Tell me.

• CoffeeCON will happen again. Every presenter and exhibitor left with “see you next time”.

• Please share your thoughts. I want it to be great and with you in mind. It’s your turn.

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