Official ZestFest Info Released - it's Coming in January 2011!

Scott Roberts June 10, 2010 at 2:30 pm food Digg this Article

ZestFest2011 After months of speculation and the news of the sale of ZestFest the Fiery Food Challenge, there is finally some official information on the next ZestFest. It is being held in the gorgeous, brand-new Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, in Irving, Texas on January 28-30, 2011. Dubbed "ZestFest 2011", this event appears to be worth the long wait.

In contrast to years past, there promises to be an all-out media blitz both in the traditional and online worlds.

If you're a spicy food maker and would like to know more information on booth reservations for Zestfest 2011 or entries into the Fiery Food Challenge, contact Judy Magouirk at 817-306-4386 or judymagouirk@att.net. If you are in the DFW area and would like to see the construction of the Irving Convention Center, they host a "hard hat tour" the fourth Friday of each month and they would like to include you. Contact Cheryl Calhoun at 972-252-7476 or ccalhoun@irvingconventioncenter.com for more information.

Comments

Mark
2010-06-10 16:02:42

Fantastic! I Googled the Irving Convention Center and this place looks like it's going to be fabulous! Will most definately be there for this one

Mark
2010-06-10 18:35:38

I was thinking (I know, I know, that always gets me in trouble)

anyway, being that this will be inside the new convention center, will this be more along the lines of the FFS?

Chileman
2010-06-10 18:52:57

Mark, it's historically been a little more than just another FFS. There are usually cooking demonstrations and live music in addition to rows of vendor booths. My guess is that this one will be along the same lines as it's always been.

Judy Magouirk
2010-06-10 19:36:17

Hey guys......I can assure you.....it will be bigger, better, and the city of Irving is projecting attendance in the 20,000 range. We are so excited!

Mark
2010-06-10 19:47:51

you don't have to convince me - I have spent the evening googleing hotels and seeing which ones are closest to the convention center (and getting a general idea of $ of course) I am definately going to make this one

DEFCON Creator
2010-06-11 05:52:03

We're already booked at the Holiday Inn Express, which is right across the parking lot from the convention center itself. I would suggest getting rooms/flights as soon as possible. We here at the Defcon Compound are truly psyched for this event. I really think it's gonna be HUGE! I remember talking to Judy a couple nights ago about it, before the announcement was made, and she sounded like a little kid that got locked in a candy store. We're gonna be pulling out all the stops for the Defcon booth (damn, looks like 2 pallets this time).

Bret
2010-06-11 06:12:57

The big issue I see is the weather. We can get the best of mother nature's fury here in the northeast and midwest, and traveling to a show like this can potentially be a nightmare in the middle of winter. Still, like John, I have high hopes for this.

DEFCON Creator
2010-06-11 06:51:28

Travel could be an issue, just think positive. I like the fact the Superbowl is in Dallas a week after the show, so the media will be swarming the area. The fact that the city if Irving is somewhat taking the reigns for the advertising, as they want the inaugural event to be huge as well, so I'd imagine there will be a TON of tv, radio and billboard exposure. Many people will attend just to see what the new convention center is all about. Etc., etc., etc...

Not to mention it would be cool to have a snowball fight during a hot sauce show.

Scott Roberts
2010-06-11 07:29:39

I hope the weather works out for everyone, too. The "good" thing with me is that I'll be more likely to attend this one than if it would have been held in September.

CaJohn
2010-06-11 10:24:57

Just talked with June, never fear all you past vendors, she is still involved with ZestFest 2011! She will be contacting you soon and is available to discuss the changes. You can reach her at 866 431 8771 or at june at chilepepper dot com

Andy C
2010-06-11 15:17:07

I am totally going to this. We went to one, maybe in 08, and i remember getting samples from CaJohn, Danny Cash and many others. Was my first hot sauce show, and i loved it. Looking forward to this one too.

But yes coming from Chicago could be a pain.

Strong Lonesome Pet
2010-06-14 07:15:50

#.de Hallo allerseits. Ich bin neu hier. Wollte nur sagen, hallo

-----------------------------
[url=http://amphan19.livejournal.com/]Hồ Chí Minh[/url]

Mark
2010-06-14 08:29:07

and the online translater says it's German -

Hi everyone. I'm new here. Just wanted to say hello

SuckleBuster
2010-06-16 07:33:21

I am in the Dallas area - this new location ROCKS! The building is top notch, compared to the former digs AND it is much closer to Dallas (more people). With proper media coverage it will draw more attendees for sure. I must say that the fall as already packed so moving to January is good for me too. I'll pray for good travel weather for everyone else.. Does anyone know if this change affects the contest dates? :)

DEFCON Creator
2010-06-17 05:46:53

SB, the submission forms for the 2011 Golden Chile Awards was sent out to everyone a few days ago.

SuckleBuster
2010-06-17 16:32:19

Got it, thanks!

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