International Women’s Coffee Alliance Hosting Fifth Convention in Puebla, Mexico

IWCA Facebook image.

The International Women’s Coffee Alliance has opened registration for its fifth international convention, to be held this coming August 3-5 in conjunction with the Cumbre Latinoamericana del Cafe (the annual Latin American Coffee Summit) in Puebla, Mexico.

The nonprofit international alliance now has 25 national chapters in traditional producing and consuming countries, and the convention will work toward the group’s overarching goal of empowering women throughout the coffee chain.

The event’s program is heavy on educational and vocational training, including daily sessions on roasting and cupping practices, and developing naturals and honey process coffees. Each day’s afternoon will include panel discussions and seminars focused on a range of results-oriented topics, from improved agronomy and quality-development practices to business development.

Attendees are being urged to buy single-day passes to the event (cost is $350 USD), although the program features different afternoon seminars on each day, and the event’s final day includes several tour options. The impressive list of afternoon speakers includes Deli Cafe S.A. Founder Grace Mena, Fairtrade USA Director of Coffee Jennifer Gallegos, International Coffee Organization Executive Director Jose Sette, Specialty Coffee Association Executive Director Ric Rhinehart, Artisan Coffee Imports Founder Ruth Ann Church and Victoria147 Founder Victoria Garcia.

The 2017 convention will also bring back a feature launched during the Colombia convention in 2015, a Female All Stars barista training program.

Check out the IWCA’s convention site for the full program and instructions on how to attend.