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PU LL: E V EN T S CAFÉ CULTURE, LEADERSHIP, AND CELEBRATION TO TAKE OVER SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, AT ANNUAL SHOW IN NOVEMBER With more than 100,000 a endees anticipated, the Seoul International Café Show, now in its 12th year, is one of the most exciting coffee events in the world. The World Coffee Leaders Forum, which begins on November 20, just before the Café Show's kick-off, augments the dazzling trade show with a sophisticated roster of coffeeindustry professionals who will share their insights and philosophies on the state of coffee's international affairs with a endees. Speakers will include National Coffee Association president Robert F. Nelson, pictured at top. 20 barista magazine THERE IS PERHAPS NO GREATER phenomenon in the international specialty-coffee industry's last 10 years that eclipses the swift, sudden growth of cafés and roasters, and indeed, consumer demand, than what has taken place in South Korea. It was only six years ago when Barista Magazine contributor Aaron Tassano, a writer living in Busan, Korea, wrote a Field Report about the gradual emergence of the culture, the few microroasters working out of tiny shop spaces with few customers. Today, everything is different: South Korea is the fastest-growing segment of the international coffee world. Though the annual Seoul International Café Show is in its 12th year, it has developed over the past half decade into the preeminent specialty-coffee event and conference in the world, drawing more than 100,000 people to the extravaganza that is part stunning show floor, part lectures from the industry's most important voices, part barista competition and celebration. There is literally something for every coffee person here. The main events of this year's coffee celebration are the Seoul International Café Show November 21–24, and the World Coffee Leaders Forum that kicks off the fair November 20–22. The Union des Foires Internationales–(UFI) certified Café Show brings together Asia's largest network of coffee lovers and industry professionals. In 2012, more than 72,800 people from around the world gathered in Seoul for the event. Special features for 2013 include the South Korean Barista Championship, a Master of Cupping competition, the South Korea Chocolate Contest, the Wilton Contest Korea, and the I Love Coffee competition. An area called the Experience Zone will welcome visitors with the Coffee Training Station, the daily Afternoon Tea Party, the Wine Bar, the Sweet Kitchen, and the Sweet Concert. Attendees are invited to take part in the World Coffee Adventure seminars at the show, and enjoy the allied events: the Fancy Food Festival, Sweet & Art, Café Design, Sweet Cups & Pots, and Home Café. Where the Café Show is large and colorful, the World Coffee Leaders Forum (WCLF), now in its second year, is more intimate and focused. As with the Café Show, the WCLF will take place at COEX Convention Center in Seoul. Established with the mission to find sustainable development methods, WCLF invites industry leaders and innovators to share and discuss the important issues, trends, and vision of Asia and the world coffee industry. Registration is now open and can be com-