Who We Are
New Orleans loves a good cup of coffee.
We love the people of coffee.
Our goal is to celebrate and inspire the southern coffee industry by sponsoring two days of professional networking, skills development and professional coffee education. We want to help accelerate the growth of specialty coffee in the Gulf South by celebrating “all things coffee”.
Jim Currie
Co-Founder
About Jim
Started his career in advertising for consumer food products (CPG) and gained strong experience in supply chain distribution and working within industry trade associations. Jim also worked in pharmaceutical product development and created several successful branded prescription products.
“I’ve very much enjoyed learning the coffee business, coffee professionals tend to be more collaborative than competitive. I see huge potential in networking among roasters and F&B Directors across our region. Southern chefs will soon begin partnering with coffee producers to innovative new flavor profiles. These are exciting days in Gulf South coffee.”
Kevin Richards
Co-Founder
About Kevin
Kevin started his career in advertising before moving into the beverage world for the last 30 years working in Soft Drinks, Specialty Beverages, Distilled Spirits and Mixers. He currently works as a consultant supporting his clients across all aspects of strategy, brand building, operations, sales & marketing and new product development.
“I’ve long loved coffee from a distance, first as a consumer and then as an observer of the category. I’m thrilled to have grown to learn so much more about the coffee industry in recent years and the amazing people across all spectrums who work in it. As a native New Orleanian, I’m ecstatic to help be a small part of bringing more coffee education and collaboration to our region.”
Rhiannon Enlil
Industry Education Coordinator
About Rhiannon
Rhiannon Enlil is a beverage history presenter, spirits educator, and bar trainer. She is a Certified Specialist of Spirits (SWE), member of the United States Bartenders Guild, certified BAR-Ready, certified WSET Level 3 in Spirits, and an Executive Bourbon Steward. Her recipes have been published in national press and cocktail books, and she wrote her thesis at University of New Orleans on twentieth-century marketing and tradition in New Orleans alcoholic beverage trends. She has presented at major trade shows, on international media and podcasts, as well as for universities, museums, and virtual events. She is thrilled to work with the great educators of the coffee industry to highlight New Orleans’ vital role in the history and future of coffee.
Erich Belk
Creative Director
About Erich
As founder, owner and creative director of Lagniappe Media, Erich is an innovative partner in the world of advertising and branded content. With an unwavering commitment to creativity and authenticity, he and Lagniappe Media seamlessly integrates advertising messages into compelling content that captivates audiences. Erich believes in going above and beyond, delivering that something extra known as “lagniappe” in Cajun culture.
“The experience I’ve gained working with the coffee industry has given me insight on how to craft and seamlessly blend cutting-edge design with impactful marketing strategies for coffee educators, baristas, roasters and consumers. Thanks NOLA Coffee Festival.”