Allegra Coffee Summit review
On 19 May Allegra Strategies hosted the UK Coffee Leader Summit, a gathering of the most high profile and influential thought leaders from across the UK coffee shop sector. A range of topics were explored by speakers in passionate and highly informative presentations.
Darcy Willson-Rymer, Managing Director of Starbucks Coffee Company UK and IE, provided a fascinating look at the Starbucks ethos. He discussed the importance of community, and shared details of the various projects the company are currently focussed on. He also emphasised the importance of the customer experience and the relationship between customer and operator on a local level.
Pret A Manger’s Head of Coffee, Rebecca Hemsley, emphasised that employing and nurturing the right people is the key factor in a successful business, sharing the ‘Pret Recipe’ with the audience and explaining how to create the ‘Freddie’ (Mercury) factor in delivering customer service with flair and skill, and ensuring the perfect store atmosphere.
Gary McGann, Sales & Marketing Director of Beyond the Bean, provided thought-provoking insight into the importance of getting the basics right, and the fact that while consumer value expectations are rising, lowering prices may not always be the answer.
Jeffrey Young presented the findings from 126 senior management interviews showing that the market is still growing, coffee quality expectations are rising, and that brand authenticity will be the key to success as the market expands.
Marco Arrigo, Sales Director, Illy/Euro Food Brands, entertained delegates with his firm views against the use of oversized cups and increasingly large coffee beverages in favour of more traditional Italian coffee delivery. He also suggested the creation of a signature UK coffee drink, that could become synonymous with London and the UK in the same way that espresso is in Italy.
World Barista Champion 2007 and founder of Square Mile Coffee, James Hoffman, produced a £5.00 cup of filter coffee that launched a bidding war between coffee expert Louie Salvoni and Darcy Willson-Rymer. His presentation highlighted the potential of creating better quality coffee for an appreciative and increasingly knowledgeable customer.
John Young, General Manager of Foodservice at Huhtamaki, provided an informative and interesting education on the evolution of the paper cup industry and its importance in complimenting “the perfect cup of coffee.” He also explored the benefits that branded products bring to coffee operators and their clients.
Matthew Clark, Co-Owner of Sacred Café, wowed the audience with his unique concept and passionate views, cementing the Sacred reputation as a leading innovator in the ‘coffee experience’ and growing UK café culture.
Chris Green of planning agency DPP presented the complexities of planning but also highlighted that planning regime trends increasingly favour coffee shops. His presentation sparked a lively debate regarding the future of coffee shops on the high street.
Master of Ceremonies Barry Kither, Sales & Marketing Director at Lavazza UK, facilitated the day’s many debates and discussions. Panellists included Paul May, Managing Director of Patisserie Holdings, and Louie Salvoni, Managing Director of Espresso Service, in addition to Allegra’s speakers. Louie introduced the idea that Allegra become the pioneers of a new project to lobby local governments on behalf of the coffee industry, a notion that was very well-received by the audience.
The Coffee Leader Summit provided delegates with the opportunity to gain market insight and inspiration from those at the forefront of the UK coffee shop industry, and the overall opinion was that despite the current economic downturn there is still a great deal of growth potential in the sector.
With this in mind, Allegra is now looking forward, to the European Coffee Symposium 2009, at the Hofburg Imperial Palace, Vienna, on 8 & 9 October. Following the success of the 2008 Symposium in London, the programme for 2009 has been greatly enhanced with the addition of the first ever Pan-European Meet the Buyer event.
The Meet the Buyer Programme, to be held on the first day of the Symposium, is a powerful and cost-effective business development tool that allows key industry suppliers to pre-select and set up a minimum of ten quality one-to-one meetings with top European Buyers in just one day. Heads of purchasing from the top 100 European Coffee shop chains, leading foodservice operators, contract caterers, motorway services, hotel groups and airlines will be present, and eager to acquire new and innovative products and services.
Ludovic Rossignol, Events Manager at Allegra Strategies, stated “the Meet the Buyer programme provides a perfect platform for industry suppliers to grow their business internationally and generate short-term return on investment . Networking opportunities have never been more important to the success of business-to-business conferences. This is why we have launched this unique programme, formalising business development opportunities and allowing industry suppliers to develop new relationships with immediate response.”
Following this unrivalled opportunity to meet top decision makers, with buying power, from across Europe, delegates will enjoy dinner and networking at the Industry Awards Evening in the exclusive surroundings of the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Friday 9 October 2009 will be a day of lively debate, presentations and panel discussions led by speakers including John Derkach, Managing Director of Costa Coffee; Reinhold Schärf, Head of Schärf Group (The Coffee Shop Company); Gerry Ford, CEO of Caffé Nero; and Instaurator, Author of The Espresso Quest and Former Executive Director of the World Barista Championship Ltd
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. More high profile speakers are soon to be confirmed.
This year, the leading event for the fast-growing branded European coffee chain market presents a unique opportunity for senior executives in the coffee shop sector to keep up with the latest business trends and key issues, debate, source inspiration and take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities with the most influential people in the industry. As a leading authority in the European coffee shop market, Allegra Strategies will ensure the conference will be of great relevance to major industry stakeholders including: branded coffee operators, major coffee roasters, equipment suppliers, food & beverage suppliers and industry service providers.
Further information: www.allegra.co.uk
