The sponsors of BevExpo 2004 say the inaugural show was a complete success, despite the stormy Florida weather that preceded it at the end of September.

The numbers surpassed expectations, they say, with more than 2,500 attendees and 260 exhibiting companies at the Tampa show. Among the attendees were 300 international visitors.

Attendees represented a broad variety of large and small companies in the bottled water, juice, milk, soft drink and other beverage categories. Beverage professionals also learned the latest in growth strategies, trends and technical information in 45 educational sessions.

The 260 exhibitors filled almost 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, and covered the latest innovations in beverage manufacturing equipment, packaging, ingredients and foodservice. BevExpo is next scheduled for October 4-6, 2006, in New Orleans.