The IASC Specialty Coffee Business Seminar features the following topics reviewed
in detail:
- Specialty Coffee Retail Training
- Five Hours of Hands-On Barista Training
- "One-on-One" Consulting with Industry Experts
- A Workbook that will become a regular guide as you seek to open and operate your
concept.
- Exposure to hundreds of specialty coffee exhibitors on the tradeshow floor.
Specialty Coffee Retail Business Training
The business portion of the seminar is designed to give the attendee a complete
overview of what it takes to create a concept, find a location, develop a business
plan, and recruit and cultivate employees that are critical to success.
One of the benefits of this seminar is that all of the presenters and instructors
have years of experience in the field (“on the front lines”), and they all continue
to be active in specialty coffee retail and coffee roasting. That means you're working
with professionals that go back to their “day job” at the end of the seminar and
work hard to create world-class coffee and retail experiences for their customers.
We will teach you - in detail - about:
- Espresso retail concepts
- Location strategies
- Your business plan
- The basics of specialty coffee
- Equipment critical to your success
- How to train your employees
- Your store and menu design
- Operations and financial management
- Customer service
- Advertising and promotions
After pinning down an ideal location, you’ll want to know an additional key to success
-- “The High Volume Sales of High Margin Products.” We'll help you uncover the foundational
elements of this formula.
Hands-On Barista Training
The Hands –On-Barista Training portion of this seminar provides you with the knowledge
and skills it takes to consistently prepare perfect espresso-based beverages. Even
if you have never touched an espresso machine, our trainers will patiently and carefully
walk you through the process. You will learn to create "a taste sensation unlike
anything you have ever experienced, and definitely better than the competition.”
The IASC's goal through the barista training portion of the Specialty Coffee Business Seminar is to teach you the essentials of excellent espresso beverage preparation and consistency. This will differentiate you from your competition (including the big national coffee chains), help you attract a base of “regulars,” and keep them coming back!
Our Hands-on-Barista Trainers will work with you to ensure that you have the specialty coffee knowledge and barista skills critical to perfecting your craft.
“I was nervous about training my new staff before I open because I don't have a coffee background, your trainers gave me skills and confidence.”
They will train you how to be “the barista trainer” for your organization if you listen, watch, and take careful notes on what is presented. This is not one of our intended outcomes, but our graduates have appreciated the added benefit.
"One-on-One" Personal Consulting
The presenters take time during lunch breaks and trade show to review with you your individual plans which may include floor plans, site location, business concerns, financial questions, and concepts. We're brutally honest. We have made expensive mistakes and we don’t want you to suffer from the same missteps. Fortunately, we've survived and thrived, and have gone on to create successful and profitable specialty coffee businesses.
This personal consulting is a tightly scheduled “sign-up only” program. You'll be informed of the protocol when you arrive.
The Workbook
Many of the 2,000 + students who have attended this course have provided feedback that the workbook alone, was worth the entire investment of this seminar. And many graduates have reported that they use their workbook manual on a monthly basis (at least) even after 10 years.
"Can I Tour The Show Floor?"
In addition to your instruction and hands-on training, you will have two hours each day to tour the trade show floor. Over the years, we've found that most attendees find this is the perfect combination of exposure to the exhibitors, classroom knowledge and hands-on training they need to be successful in their endeavors.
Our Style
Engaging:
The instructors seek to incorporate humor (three days is a long time together), share their mistakes (so you don't have to make them), and literally “pour them-selves” into your idea and subsequent future success.
Success Focused:
Many of our graduates have gone on to create successful, national chains. Others are delighted to have one or two profitable locations. Still others are glad they attended because they come to understand their original idea would have cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of heartache.
Hands On:
We believe you'll learn best by experiencing the hands-on barista skills you'll soon be teaching your own team. Those of you that are currently open will sharpen your skills and perhaps break some bad habits.
Relationship Oriented:
Graduates are welcome to develop an on-going relationship with the instructors. It's common for me to get a call from attendees much like this one:
“Hey Kent, this is Steve Collier, I was in your class in 2000 in Atlantic City, you probably don't remember me but here's what I'm wrestling with right now… what do you think?”
What Is Included
- Workbook
- Hands-On Barista Training with Scott Hinckley and Erin Tangen.
- Three-day pass to the Coffee Fest Trade Show.
- Certificate for completion of Coffee Fest's Specialty Coffee Business Seminar.
- Personal relationship with each presenter. Class is limited to 50 students.
Who Should Attend:
- Every entrepreneur-minded person considering the benefits of entering the specialty coffee business.
- Every espresso business owner that desires to improve their quality, volume and bottom line.
Price of Admission:
- $950 For single participants.
- 10% Discount for each participant if more than one student signs up together.
Dates and Times for the Seminar:
The seminars are on the same three days as the trade show. Times are 8:00AM - 6:00PM on Friday and Saturday and 8:00AM - 4:00PM on Sunday. Time will be given to walk the trade show floor on breaks.