SCAA 2008 conference

Information is up about the annual SCAA conference, which this year will be taking place in Minneapolis.

 Explore Your Roots

Dear SCAA Members and Coffee Colleagues,

Welcome to Minneapolis and the SCAA’s 20^th Annual Conference and Exhibition.

The theme for this year’s conference, “Roots,” revisits the foundation of our specialty coffee industry: regional, independent, forward-thinking coffee companies joining together to share information, ideas and strategies, while creating a culture driven by quality. A lot has changed over the years since those historical gatherings. Specialty coffee has transitioned from a fragmented niche market to become the primary segment of the coffee market. Some of our earliest pioneers have transitioned from small regional roasters and retailers to national and multinational coffee giants experiencing growth that they never dreamed of in those early days.

As we are entering the “Third Wave” of our industry, the bar is being raised higher each day. We are demanding more technological innovation of our equipment manufacturers. Coffee enthusiasts want to see bigger, better and more dynamic efforts from roasters and retailers. And coffee buyers are now assisting in the development of forgotten coffee growing regions, increasing the technical sophistication of coffee growers, purchasing more specialized botanical varieties, and developing unique micro lots of coffee. To succeed in today’s specialty coffee business, you need to have a firm grasp of every segment of our industry, excel at your business segment and in your marketplace and avoid any misstep.

This year, we’ve designed a very straightforward LABS and LECTURES format (which replaces the former “educational programs and skill building” sessions) that will be valuable to each member who desires to meet the current challenges of our industry.  Baristas, retailers, roasters, importers, and producers will find value in each and every educational offering at this year’s conference. Venture into a new track, mingle with a different business segment, practice a different language, and make a new connection. Each educational offering was designed to help you address the demands of our current industry, master a certain task or discover a new trend in your market.

We have made many changes to this year’s schedule. “Amigo’s del Café” has been replaced with LA VIDA VERDE, where members in the coffee chain will focus on two key issues: certification and finance. We are also proud to introduce our new AGROECOLOGY track, which will focus on the largest segment of our supply channel - the small to mid-sized grower - to assist them with practical methods to develop better soil, increase their biodiversity, manage their natural resources, increase their coffee quality and improve their yields.  Finally, we will be hosting our 4th SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM on Friday, May 2nd.  During this event, we explore the numerous social and environmental advances and achievements since our last forum held in San Francisco in 2000, while also setting new challenges for the future.

Our 2008 Conference Committee invites you to attend the 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Minneapolis and plant “Roots” of your own. Whether you own and operate a four-hectare farm in Central America or a regional chain of coffeehouses in Midwestern America, you have a connection - a common bond with everyone who surrounds you this weekend.

Mark Inman

Mark Inman
SCAA Conference Chair

Visit the website for more information about speakers, workshops, and registration