Every year the international coffee community comes together at the Specialty Coffee Expo. This event brings together professionals from every step of the coffee supply chain to discuss, learn, and network.
This year marks a significant milestone for IWCA (International Women’s Coffee Alliance) as they celebrate the organization’s 15th anniversary.
As a global network, IWCA connects communities in 22 countries who have come together to achieve a shared vision (i.e. IWCA Chapters) with supporters across the Americas, Europe, and Asia to connect, empower, and advance #WomenInCoffee.
In Seattle, you can join IWCA at one of the events outlined below, meet the many women and men of IWCA, learn about work underway, and discover potential points of alignment with your own efforts and priorities.
IWCA Breakfast
IWCA has refreshed the format of this annual event and you will not want to miss it! This year’s breakfast will feature four interactive conversation areas led by IWCA chapter members and partners. Discussions will cover a range of topics including market access and emerging markets. Attendees will have the option to choose which presentation they would like to participate in and there will still be plenty of time for networking and Q&A! Presentation topics and speakers will be announced on social media, so be sure to purchase your tickets here and RSVP for this event on Facebook.
IWCA Booth On The Expo Floor
IWCA is excited to welcome more than thirty chapter leaders to the SCA Expo. Make plans to visit them in booth 2819 for the opportunity to engage with leaders from across the IWCA Global network and learn more about their continuing partnerships and programs.
Cuppings
Two special cupping sessions being held in Seattle at the SCA Expo. In addition to tasting 25+ coffees visitors will also have the opportunity to meet and connect with IWCA producers. Please RSVP to this event on the IWCA Facebook page to help them ensure they can accommodate all attendees.
- The April 19 cupping will be held in room 618.
- The April 22 cupping will be held in room 615.
Additional cuppings hosted by specific IWCA Chapters include:
- Members of IWCA Costa Rica, “Farmer’s Project” Cupping: Thursday, April 19 12:30-2:15 PM Room 618. lease contact Marianella Baez Jost for details.
- Ethiopian Women In Coffee Cupping: Friday, April 20th 2pm-5pm at the Ethiopian Coffee Booth (#137)
Additional Events highlighting #WomenInCoffee
Lectures
- Friday, April 20 9:00am: Farm Profitability – the Impact of Best Practices and GAP. IWCA board member, Ruth Ann Church, will sit on a panel discussing farm-gate pricing, best practices, and profitability.
- Friday, April 20 9:00AM: Making Specialty Coffee Work for Women – Collaborative Incubator Models to Help Specialty Coffee Farmers Reach Their Full Potential
- Friday, April 20 10:30AM: Mentorship in Specialty Coffee: Students Become the Teachers. IWCA board member, Mansi Chokshi, will sit on a panel discussing the importance of mentors for developing coffee professionals.
- Friday, April 20 10:30AM: Strengthening the Links of the Coffee Value Chain by Integrating Gender
- Saturday, April 21 9:00am: Resilient Coffee?: What “Resilience” Means & Why This Matters for All Members of Coffee’s Supply Chain
- Saturday, April 21 10:30AM: The Social Inclusion as a Value Generator for the Coffee Industry
- Sunday, April 22 10:30AM: Confronting the Healthcare Inequality Gap: Creating Care Networks for Women Coffee Farmers Using a Scalable Approach Built Upon Natural Connections.
Events
Thursday, April 19 6:00pm-8:00PM: #ShesTheRoaster Seattle
Saturday, April 21 2:30PM-5:00PM: Film Showing: Gender Equity in Coffee – A Documentary
Not attending SCA Expo in Seattle? Learn about other opportunities to support
IWCA on their website.
