Specialty Coffee Association of America

Feeling lucky? Take a short survey to enter our contest!

2010-08-25T11:40:00.001-07:00

We will soon be offering blog sponsorhip opportunities and we need help from you, our faithful readers, to build some demographic data. If you take a quick second to fill out our form, you will be entered into a contest to win a SCAA branded french press travel mug.

CLICK HERE to fill out the form!

Be Seen: Advertise in the 2011 SCAA Attendee Brochure

2010-09-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

Click here to download the full brochure

Want to be seen by thousands of SCAA Event attendees prior to the show? For the first time ever, we are offering the attendee brochure as a bonus issue of our popular magazine The Chronicle. Every SCAA member receives the hardcopy in the mail and the online version will be open to the public to view for free! Traditionally, the Attendee Brochure is offered as a pre-show catalogue that lists events, classes, competitions, The Event checklist and more-the 2011 version will have all of the great details of the show our attendees rely on plus the editorial aspects of The Chronicle. Available at the end of the year, this bonus issue will be undoubtedly be referenced multiple times by each attendee prior to the show in April. If you’re looking to reach our Event audience pre-show, this is one of the best opportunities to do so!

Deadline to reserve your ad space: October 1st, 2010
Contact:
Katy Goulding, Business Development Associate
kgoulding@scaa.org 562.624.4100

VIEW LAST YEAR'S ATTENDEE BROCHURE

Heads Up On the World Barista Championship

2010-09-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

The World Barista Championship (WBC) is the preeminent international coffee competition. The organization, founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe and the Specialty Coffee Association of America, focuses on promoting excellence in coffee, advancing the barista profession, and engaging a worldwide audience with an annual championship event that serves as the culmination of local and regional events around the globe.

The 2011 USBC will take place at the SCAA Expo in Houston, Texas from April 28th to May 1st. The winner will win the chance to compete for he title of World Barista Champion in Bogota, Colombia from June 2nd to the 5th.

2010 World Barista Champion - Mike Phillips of the USA

For more information, visit http://worldbaristachampionship.com/

SCAA Seeks New Part-Time Event Coordinator

2010-09-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

The SCAA is currently searching for an event coordinator to work primarily on signage and other operational logistics for our Expo & Symposium. Please, local applicants only.

Job Description

Coordinate all signage for annual trade show, including amassing key information and logos, creating copy and ordering, proofing and approving final materials. Use excel and on-line show decorator tool to facilitate.
Assist with operational areas of events that may include food and beverage, phone & internet security, audio visual, hands-on workshops, etc.

Skills

2 years event coordination or operations experience in a trade show or conference environment.
Proficient in excel, word, outlook
Great organizational skills and superior attention to detail
Position requires some overnight travel

Those interested, please visit: http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=jobld=1109431

Hampton Coffee Wants to Win the Great Food Truck Race

2010-09-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hampton Coffee Company has taken on an exciting new venture. They are currently trying to get their Hampton Coffee Mobile Espresso Unit on the Food Network's new hit show The Great Food Truck Race, but they need your votes to help them reach their goal.

In an effort to increase their national exposure and further the advancement of the specialty coffee industry, SCAA members Hampton Coffee Company has entered an online voting contest to get on the Food Network's new hit show, The Great Food Truck Race. The winner of this online vote will get a chance to compete on the next season of the show.

Here's what you can do to help:

Visit http://foodtrucks.teamdigital.com/?vty=foodtrucks
Open the "Search by" drop menu (visible just above the US map)
Type "Hampton" into the "Truck's name" box
Cast your vote
Hit "yes" when it asks you if you want to give Hampton another 9 votes today.

Supporters can also vote by texting FT175 to 66789

Let's see if we can get Hampton Coffee Company on the map and on TV!

Update from the BGAEC… "Camp Pull A Shot is Officially Awesome"

2010-09-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

The 3 M's (Mansi, Maria, and Marcus) caught up with Dan Streetman, Anne Nylander, and Scott Lucey of the Barista Guild of America Executive Council, Tyler of Intelligentsia Pasadena, and World Barista Champion Mike Phillips of Intelligentsia Chicago having a cup of coffee at the new Intelli cafe in Pasadena, CA.

Members of the BGA Executive Council flew to Santa Barbara to finalize plans for the first ever BGA retreat, Camp Pull-A-Shot. The EC spent the weekend at the event site testing out the facilities (they rock!), developing educational courses and activities, and laying the groundwork for what is sure to be one of the most talked about events in the barista community. Jason Dominy, BGAEC, said "Can I just tell you what we've already experienced here since getting here late yesterday? Awesome cabins, campfires with S'mores, chicken-fighting in the pool, great conversation and debates on current espresso trends, and mad coffee brewing with some of the best roasters in the country using most of the manual brewing methods. (And this is between us writing exams, lab content, and membership items!) And this is just the tip of the iceberg when we look at what the real camp will contain."

This year's BGA Executive Council hard at work to bring you Camp Pull-A-Shot.

He went on to say "Cutting edge content. The latest thoughts and ideas about coffee and espresso. Great events that help baristas become an even better part of the community. Level One and Two Certifications. Amazing coffee and espresso. Bike rides to the beach. Campfires. Singing songs. Doing Dances. Making a little....love. Coffee love. You need to be here. Just trust me. This place is awesome. The baristas who are gonna be a part, even more awesome." We couldn't have said it better ourselves!

We can't wait and we hope to see all of you at what we know will be the start of a great tradition in the Barista community.

For more information on Camp Pull-A-Shot and to register, visit: http://tinyurl.com/bgacamp2010

Foursquare: More Than a School Yard Ball Game

2010-09-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

In an age where smart phones are marketed as necessities and social networking comes as second nature to most, it is no wonder that more and more companies are turning to location-sharing sites like Foursquare to promote their businesses. But what is this new technology and how can it help your coffee shop keep up with the ever-evolving digital marketplace?

Coffee shop owners can advertise their Foursquare participation in storefront windows to attract potential new customers and raise their "check in" count.

Since its official launch in 2009 the location sharing (geo-tagging) site Foursquare has steadily built a membership base which now boasts more than three million users worldwide. Taking advantage of the smart phone craze, Foursquare designed their program to allow users to “check in” at various locations, often businesses, using their iPhones, Blackberries, or Android phones. The beauty of this arrangement? Business owners get valuable insights into their customer bases as well as free publicity. Once a Foursquare user checks in at his or her current location, notifications are sent not only to the business owner, but to everyone in that user’s circle of “Foursquare Friends.” Foursquare check ins are also visible in Facebook and Twitter feeds, making the geo-tagging site a valuable tool for any business looking to gain free exposure.

Now, the question is how can you turn this “game” into a viable marketing strategy for your small coffee shop? Foursquare is, when all is said and done, a game. As such, there needs to be some kind of incentive for its players or else interest would quickly fade. Clearly, the growth to 3 million users in less than 2 years means something has got people coming back to play. Foursquare awards badges and highly coveted “mayorships” to people who check in to certain businesses multiple times. These locations, in return for repeat business, offer discounts to those who earn certain badges or win the title of mayor. Think of it as the loyalty card for the digital age. Plus, there's the competitive drive to earn more badges than all your friends. Just flash the cashier your Mayor badge on your blackberry and claim a reward.

Already this strategy has been successfully implemented by Starbucks as a way of enticing and rewarding regular customers. An article on the Foursquare blog describes how after implementing their “$1 off any size Frappuccino” promotion, Starbucks enjoyed a 50% increase in check-ins at its many locations across the nation. But how can you make this idea work for your small business? Well, it’s simple. Once you establish a loyal “swarm” (Foursquare lingo for a large group of check-ins), positive buzz for your business will pop up in the Foursquare, Facebook, and Twitter feeds of all your customers’ friends and your visibility will increase exponentially. The best thing about it is that Foursquare focuses on specific locations and franchises rather than companies as a whole, therefore it is an equal opportunity marketplace for individually owned shops looking to promote themselves.

Admittedly, geo-tagging and location-based applications are still a touchy subject with many a consumer, but getting in on the ground floor of what’s already promising to revolutionize digital self-promotion is something worth looking into. Have you already started using Foursquare as a marketing strategy for your coffee shop? Let us know how it's worked out for you!

It’s getting hard to ignore the growing need for social media advertising in this increasingly digitized world. Do you want to learn more about how you can use social networking and media to promote your business? Then be sure not to miss the social media talk at this year’s SCAA Expo.

To learn more about how you can use Foursquare to promote your business, visit: http://foursquare.com/businesses/

Bringing the Convivial Vibe Back to Coffee

2010-08-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

What is one to do when their coffee shop becomes more of a second office than a brief enjoyable escape from the tedium of the day to day? Well, many coffee shop owners around the country are coming up with new ways to counteract the “office without the cubicles” atmosphere that seems to drain life away from their storefronts. The coffee bar in busy Stumptown Coffee Roasters at the Ace Hotel in New York City is just one of the many shops embracing the new coffee bar trend.

(as it appears in the New York Times article.)

Coffee shops everywhere are noticing that customers seem to spend more time camped out at tables, nursing single cups of coffee for hours than enjoying what a coffee shop setting really has to offer. Nowadays you’re more likely to see people typing away on their laptops or blackberries than sitting and engaging in conversation with others, and coffee shop owners are taking notice. From coast to coast coffee shop owners are taking initiative and trying and bring back the idea of coffee houses as places to socialize, rather than plug in and check your social network.

A recent New York Times article cited the rising number of coffee bars throughout the country. Many shops across the nation, like SCAA members Stumptown Coffee Roasters, are embracing the new coffee bar trend. The coffee bars, modeled after traditional get in-get out Italian espresso bars, are meant to encourage patrons to engage in the coffee shop atmosphere around them rather than settling in and withdrawing into the niche of a cushy armchair. By installing raised counters and bar stools coffee shop owners are taking a step away from the traditional idea of the American café and giving rise to a new coffee bar culture, the coffee professional’s answer to the insularity of the digital age.

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a story on the elimination of free wi-fi in many California cafés. The move, while a sore spot for some in the consumer community, has already garnered several coffee shops great praise from other shop owners. By eliminating the distraction of e-mail or Facebook coffee shop owners have ensured that their businesses are known and respected for the quality of their product, not the speed of their wi-fi connection.

Just because it's possible to have a conversation from opposite sides of the globe, it does not diminish the value of taking a few minutes every day to unplug and really enjoy a good cup of coffee, served by a hardworking barista. It seems coffee shop owners are leading the pack when it comes to taking time out to appreciate the simple yet important pleasures in life.

So, are you a coffee shop owner contemplating the pros and cons of adding a bar or going analog? What are your experiences with the matter? We’d like to know. Leave us your responses and let’s get a lively discussion going.

Klatch Coffee Stands Undefeated at 2010 UBC USA!

2010-08-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to SCAA member Klatch Coffee’s Heather Perry and Jana Bain for sweeping the 2010 Ultimate Barista Challenge!!

Jana Bain and Heather Perry of Klatch Coffee are the 2010 UBC USA winners!

The LA Convention Center was the stage for a truly impressive showing of barista expertise by Klatch Coffee baristas, Heather Perry and Jana Bain. Over the course of the three day Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo many baristas stepped up to compete in the annual Ultimate Barista Challenge, but after competing in three intense events only the two Klatch baristas walked away with victorious smiles on their faces.

Heather Perry, who walked away with wins in “Best of Brew” and “Latte Art Challenge,” is a familiar face around both the SCAA and the Barista Guild of America. Truly a trailblazer, she is the only woman to win the title of United States Barista Champion twice. She also served as the former chair of the BGA Executive Council, and continues to support BGA and SCAA events and initiatives throughout the year. At Klatch Coffee she is the Director of Training and Consulting. Many a barista have learned the tips and tricks of the trade from Heather, and it is clear that the skills she passes on are invaluable.

Jana Bain, another barista for Klatch Coffee and one of Heather Perry’s former trainees, truly proved that she can hold her own against the competition when she took the title in the “Espresso Frappe Challenge.” She wowed the judges and gained praise from her mentor/competitor with the blackberry cheese cake frappe she named “Blackberry Bliss.” With her good training and obvious natural talent, it’s clear that Jana is going places in this industry and we wish her all the best.

Jana celebrates her victory as her competitor and mentor, Heather, cheers her on.

Congratulations, ladies!!

Interested in competing in a SCAA Regional Barista Competition or the USBC / WBC ? Visit their websites for information or attend the 2011 RBC events which will begin in January.

2010 Roasters Guild Retreat Wrap-Up

2010-08-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, the 10th Annual Roasters Guild Retreat drew almost 200 roasters and coffee professionals to Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. We started things off on Thursday with the SCAA's Instructor Development Program and SCAA Skill-Building Courses. Opening ceremonies included the first-ever Roasters Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to Norm Killmon of The Roasterie for his contributions to the roasting community.

On Friday, attendees were assigned to teams that they would work with throughout the weekend on the Roast Master Challenge Cup. The teams were tasked with blending and roasting coffee from the various growing regions of Guatemala. Attendees also took Skill-Building Courses Coffee Grinding & Particle Size and The SCAA Cupping Form & Peer Calibration.

The highlight of the weekend, as expressed by many attendees, was the Roundtable Discussion on Saturday. Participants discussed controversial topics such as Fair Trade, relationship coffee/direct trade, the Q Coffee System, and the supply of specialty coffee. Although there were many different viewpoints and opinions on these topics, attendees expressed that it was very valuable to get so many roasters and coffee professionals together in one place to discuss these important topics. The goal was not to come away from these discussions with a general consensus, but rather to open the dialogue for continued discussion outside the walls of this classroom. And continue it did! In the halls, at dinner, over the camp fire...folks were engaged in these conversations long after the session ended.

Also on Saturday, attendees were able to participate in the Coffee Lab Equipment: Use, Calibration, and Testing course, where participants got an overview of the equipment used in the coffee lab setting.

The roasters hummed throughout the weekend as the teams worked tirelessly to perfect their blends. The final batches were cupped on Saturday, and Sunday the winner was declared: team Planet X Roasters took the trophy with their blend of Acatenango and Antigua. Congrats to the winning team, and thanks to all the teams for their hard work throughout the weekend.

Thanks to everyone who came out for this event, and to those of you who didn't - we hope to see you next year!

To view more photos from the event, visit the Roasters Guild page on facebook!

Good Food Awards Bring Recognition to Quality Coffee Producers

2010-08-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

In an effort to recognize purveyors of authentic, responsibly produced and incredibly tasty coffee, Seedling Projects is introducing the inaugural Good Food Awards. Coffee producers are encouraged to enter up to two of their own unique blends for judging by a panel of coffee experts.

Seedling Projects has created an initiative to recognize people who produce the food and drink we all want to enjoy. The fruit of their efforts is the first ever Good Food Awards. Entrants will be judged in several fields including, beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, pickles, preserves, and of course, coffee.

In an effort to bring quality coffee to enthusiasts all across America, award organizers are inviting roasters nation-wide to submit their entries of up to two coffees for judging. A panel of distinguished coffee judges, including SCAA President Peter Guliano, SCAA Board Member Andi Trindle, and Chris Davidson, George Howell, and Jim Kelso, will select a winner during a blind taste test event. Awards will be distributed in five regions in order to ensure a fair sampling of coffees across the nation. Winners will be invited to receive an award at a ceremony with Alice Waters in the San Francisco Ferry Building, take part in a Good Food Awards Marketplace and receive local and national media coverage.

Entrance is open to all coffee producers who practice fair producing and transparency from seed-to-cup; striving for coffees that exhibit exemplary flavor and balance. Each roaster may submit up to two entries for consideration. Entries will be accepted until September 15, 2010.

The Good Food Awards have already been hailed by publications such as The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Chow.com. This is a great chance for roasters to gain national attention and bring awareness to quality production practices in the coffee industry.

All entrants should register at http://www.goodfoodawards.org/entry-form/enter-your-coffee/ by September 15. TBD entries are accepted if you are unsure which of your coffees you would like to submit. Samples of coffees will be requested in early October 2010 with winners to be selected after all entries have been received.

For more information, visit: www.goodfoodawards.org/coffee

Tour Alakef Coffee Roasters!

2010-08-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to tour a real coffee roasterie? Are you in the Duluth area? Well, here's your chance. Alakef Coffee Roasters is hosting a free public tour of its roasting facilities and everyone is invited.

SCAA member Alakef Coffee Roasters will be hosting a free public tour of their roasterie this coming Friday, August 27^th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Reservations are required and space is limited. Make sure to call now so you don’t miss seeing quality coffee being produced before your eyes.

To make tour reservations, contact Alakef Coffee Roasters at 218-724-6849 or 800-438-9228.

Alakef Coffee Roasters is located at:

1330 E Superior St

Duluth, MN, 55805

If you happen to be in the Duluth area, take advantage of this great opportunity and then let us know how it went!

SCAA Proudly Welcomes New Member Into Specialty Coffee Community

2010-08-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that new SCAA member Black Gold Coffee Roasters, owner Gary Lauters, have just opened their new shop in Venice, FL.

To Gary and the Black Gold Coffee Roaster staff:

Welcome to the SCAA and the specialty coffee community. Congrats on your opening and we wish you the best of luck in the new business.
- Your friends at the SCAA

Black Gold Coffee Roasters is located at:
2385 East Venice Avenue
Venice, FL, 34292

If you’re in the area it’s definitely a shop worth checking out. Or, if you’re not nearby, then take a look at their website and purchase some delicious blends.

More Excellent Adventures with Mansi & Maria (Tara & Marcus tagged along too)

2010-08-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Mansi, Kevin Curtis, Tara & Maria in front of the Curtis booth

Last Saturday, Mansi and Maria headed off to the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo in Los Angeles to hob-nob with some culinary folks and support SCAA members exhibiting at the show. They even let me and Marcus join them on this adventure!

In the coffee and tea pavillion, we found superstar barista (and BGA Past-Chair) Heather Perry of Klatch Coffee MC-ing the Ultimate Barista Competition. The winner will be announced today!

Heather Perry and Amber Johnson of Fix Coffee

If a SCAA member in nearby-Mansi and Maria will find them! Here they are in front of the Bunn booth. It was a very cool show, and had quite a few SCAA members in attendance. We talked up quite a few exhibitors about our upcoming SCAA Event in April next year and got a great response! That's all for now....but be on the lookout-M&M might just be headed to your trade show or coffee shop next!

Quality Baristas Gain Recognition For Their Hardwork and Dedication

2010-08-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Alisha from the Café Society collection by William Hosner

(as it appears on the Interlockhen Public Radio site - link below)

After moving to Petoskey, Michigan, artist Bill Hosner discovered the amount of dedication and skill required to create a quality cup of coffee. After building relationships with his local baristas and seeing their hard work first hand, Hosner decided to recognize these dedicated professionals. He has created a series of portraits that depict the baristas in the midst of what they do best, making quality coffee. His exhibit, “Café Society,” at the Little Traverse History Museum of Petoskey not only pays tribute to 30 dedicated baristas, but also funds a scholarship for the benefit of future baristas who wish to continue their educations.

The Little Traverse History Museum in Petoskey, Michigan is currently displaying an exhibit called “Café Society,” a special set of thirty portraits created by nationally acclaimed artist, William Hosner. Described as having “coffee in his veins,” Hosner was inspired by the dedication of the baristas at Petoskey coffee shop and SCAA member, Roast and Toast. In her article for Interlochen Public Radio, Linda Stephan quotes Hosner saying, “you know, as I would sit and talk to them, I just became inspired by these fine young Americans, working hard. And I was able to look beyond tattoos and piercings and sometimes hair color not found in nature, and saw that they had visions and dreams and a lot of it revolved around education.”

It seems Hosner has hit one of the central ideas behind the specialty coffee industry and what it means to be a working barista. Simply put, they are people doing what they love and working toward their ultimate goals. As Kendall P. Stanley puts it in an article for Petoskeynews.com, “a barista is not only a barista, but a fellow traveler.” Over several years and through many portrait sittings with the baristas in their own coffee shops, Hosner set out to show just that. His portraits capture the baristas looking unguarded and focused; in the throes of their craft.

In addition to being a touching tribute to baristas who can often go unrecognized in the day-to-day scheme of things, the “Café Society” portraits are also Hosner’s way of giving back to those deserving baristas. Hosner has used the money raised by selling the portraits to private buyers to start a scholarship fund of $10,000 through the Petoskey-Harbor Spring Area Community Foundation. The money will be used to give local baristas a chance to continue their educations and achieve their goals.

This is certainly an exhibit worth visiting if you’re a coffee enthusiast in the Petoskey area. The “Café Society: Coffee House Portraits” exhibit is currently on display at the Little Traverse History Museum in Petoskey, Michigan and will run until September 10, 2010. The portraits are available for purchase and proceeds go toward the scholarship fund set up by Hosner. For more information, visit: http://www.petoskeymuseum.org/.

To read Linda Stephan’s article, visit: http://ipr.interlochen.org/arts-and-culture/episode/9505

To read Kendall P. Stanley’s article, visit: http://www.petoskeynews.com/columns/article_d97b9e9c-a94e-11df-87ce-001cc4c002e0.html

High Praise for SCAA Member, Makeda Coffee

2010-08-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

The SCAA would like to congratulate our members Makeda Coffee on the glowing review they received in the Seattle Weekly blog.

In a recent post on the Spill the Beans blog on the Seattle Weekly website, SCAA member Makeda Coffee earned a glowing review from blogger, Rose Tosti. In the post Tosti praises Makeda for their innovative brews and their use of coffee from Seven Coffee Roasters. She also goes on to commend their child-friendly atmosphere and cozy setting. All in all it seems like Makeda Coffee is a prime example of a coffee house finding its own special niche in Seattle’s world famous coffee culture.

Makeda Coffee is located at:
153 N. 78th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

Definitely stop by if you’re in the Seattle area and tell us about your visit!!

Click here to read the full Seattle Weekly blog entry

For more information on Makeda Coffee, visit: http://www.makedacoffee.com/

For more information on Seven Coffee Roasters, visit: http://7roasters.wordpress.com/

Kaapi Royale India Origin Tour

2010-08-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

We've got a wonderful opportunity for coffee enthusiasts!! Andrew Hetzel of SCAA member, CafeMakers, is organizing the annual Kaapi Royal Coffee India Origin Tour.

Count yourself among the lucky who have gotten to experience this enriching and unforgetable tour.

The five-day tour begins in Bangalore with a welcome reception at the historic Bungalore Club (whose honored guests have included former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill) and a meeting with the Coffee Board of India. Participants then embark on visits to some of the most influential coffee sites in India, including the Chikmagalur region where the award-winning Kaapi Royale Sethuraman Estate farms are located.

Witness the methods of production which give Indian coffee a flavor all its own.

A new stop on this year’s tour is Coorg, a rapidly developing coffee growing region hailed as the “Scotland of India” for of its lush green landscapes. In addition to learning and experiencing coffee culture on another continent, tour participants will also get a chance to soak in the unique and beautiful culture of India during sight-seeing visits to historical sites such as Coorg’s Mysore Palace.

Experience the cultural wealth of India as your tour its historic sites.

This tour is an amazing opportunity for those interested in broadening their coffee horizons and learning about how culture and location affects the art of coffee making. Unfortunately, availability is limited to 9 attendees so please reserve your place as soon as possible. For the true coffee connoisseur, this could be a once in a lifetime experience.

Tour packages are priced at US$995 per individual traveler or US$1,500 per rooming pair and include hotels, meals and ground transportation originating in Bangalore.

Reservations for the available seats can be guaranteed with a US$250 nonrefundable deposit; all fees are due on or before December 1, 2010.

To make your reservations or if you have any questions please contact Andrew Hetzel in the USA at +1 (336) 443-0290 or by email at ahetzel@cafemakers.com.

For more information, visit http://indiancoffee.wordpress.com/

Have Joe With Joe!

2010-08-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Click the picture to be directed to the Facebook event page

SCAA member Hampton Coffee Company is partnering with the ASPCA its annual Hampton Classic Horse Show from August 29 – September 5. This year, in addition to helping out a worthwhile cause, you can have the chance to meet Officer Joe Pentangelo, ASPCA Director of Humane Law Enforcement and a bona fide reality tv star!

Officer Joe Pentangelo will be at the Hampton Classic Horse Show having a great cup of joe with visitors. For a donation of $20 or more you will get to meet Officer Joe and receive a pound of Hampton Coffee Company's freshly roasted Hampton Classic Blend coffee beans, an Officer Joe mug to drink it in, and a set of mini-handcuffs keychain. He will be there as long as supplies last, so make sure to get to the show as soon as possible.

Officer Joe will appear at Hampton Coffee's Mobile Espresso Unit located at The Classic between Hunter Rings II and III, and at Hampton Coffee Company's flagship espresso bar & full-service cafe and coffee roastery on Montauk Highway in Water Mill, just 3 miles west of The Classic

Sixteen-year-old Hampton Coffee Company is a family-run business and active community partner taking part in and helping to sponsor more than 100 organizations and charities each year. This year's partnership at The Classic with the ASPCA wasn't by chance. Hampton Coffee co-owner Jason Belkin has been an ASPCA Guardians Member for more than a decade and the company has been long-time sponsors of local animal organizations including Bide-A-Wee, Animal Rescue Fund of The Hamptons, and Last Chance Animal Rescue. The SCAA is proud to have members who have such a passion for helping the world around them.

For more information about The Classic and Hampton Coffee Company, visit their website at: http://www.hamptoncoffeecompany.com/.

SCAA South West Regional Skill Building Workshop

2010-08-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

DATES
September 23-25, 2010

LOCATION
SCAA Coffee Lab
330 Golden Shore, Suite 50
Long Beach, CA 90802

Click here for more information on the location, travel, and lodging

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
-Those pursuing RG Certification, aspiring roasters, graders, cuppers
-Experienced baristas wishing to offer the BGA Level 1 test in their areas
-Experienced baristas wishing to complete requirements for L1 Certification
-Retailers who wish to have their employees complete requirements for BGA L1 Certification

SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 23 | 8:30am - 5pm
Friday, September 24 | 9am - 3pm
Saturday, September 25 | 9am - 4pm

SESSIONS
CP103 | Introduction to Customer Service ($45 SCAA/RG | $0 BGA | $85 Non-Member)
CP190 | BGA Level 1 Certification Test ($45 SCAA/RG | $0 BGA | $85 Non-Member)
CP391 | BGA Examiner Training ($0 SCAA/RG/BGA | $85 Non-Member)
GE103 | Introduction to Cupping ($125 SCAA/RG/BGA | $175 Non-Member)
GE255 | Organic Acids & the Chemistry of Coffee ($90 SCAA/RG/BGA | $195 Non-Member)
GE202 | Comparative Cupping ($125 SCAA/RG/BGA | $175 Non-Member)
RP202 | Introduction to Craft Roasting ($125 SCAA/RG/BGA | $175 Non-Member)

PRESENTERS
John Gozbekian, Coffee Reserve (cupping courses)
Rocky Rhodes (roasting and sensory analysis courses)
Heather Perry, Klatch Coffee (BGA Level 1 Certification Test and Customer Service Class, BGA Examiner Training course)

For detailed session information, please click here

REGISTER NOW

RSVP on facebook!

The SCAA Is Proud to Co-Host the 2010 Middle East Coffee and Tea Convention

2010-08-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

The SCAA is proud to announce we will once again partner with International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC & E) to host the 2010 Middle East Coffee and Tea Convention.

SCAA's Ric Rhinehart delivers opening remarks at the 2009 Middle East Coffee and Tea Convention.

The convention, to be held from October 12-14 in Dubai, UAE, will feature a plethora of events, information sessions, and networking opportunities focused on nurturing the expansion of the Middle Eastern coffee and tea market. The convention has served as common ground for industry insiders to come together, discuss, and develop the constantly evolving and improving market. As the region’s only dedicated trade show for the coffee and tea industry, the Middle East Coffee and Tea Convention provides attendees with only the best resources for growth, both within their own organizations and the coffee and tea industry as a whole.

The Middle Eastern Coffee and Tea Convention is an ideal platform for building and maintaining professional relationships

Events on schedule for this year’s conference include the 2nd annual UAE Barista Championship, a quality conference, educational sessions, and a focused exhibition featuring a wide range of retailers, roasters, and suppliers alike. The three day conference presents the perfect opportunity for networking and education, both within the Arab market and from a global standpoint. For those interested in the burgeoning Middle Eastern coffee and tea trade, this is certainly an event not to be missed.

The top six finalists for the 2009 National UAE Barista Championship pose with Convention organizers.

For more information on the conference and how to register, visit: http://www.coffeeandteaconvention.com/

The SCAA is currently seeking a Partnerships Program Manager

2010-08-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

The SCAA is now accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Partnerships Program Manager. Please submit your resume on Linkedin by CLICKING HERE.

Job Description
The Partnerships Program Manager will manage and grow sponsorships for SCAA and affiliated events. There is an established base of business and this position is responsible for maintaining that base by continuing to deliver a high level of service while identifying new prospects and opportunities to enhance revenue. The individual will need to be comfortable in selling environments, have a warm and engaging personality, and exceptional attention to detail. The Partnerships Program Manager will be required to regularly communicate with existing and prospective sponsors, design campaigns, develop prospect lists, organize and distribute supporting materials, and engage with staff to ensure delivery terms are met.

Responsibility and Essential Job Duties:
• Cultivate relationships with existing partners
• Develop selling strategies by event
• Identify prospects and conduct sales campaigns
• Manage all communication with existing and prospective sponsors
• Provide regular progress reports and identify areas for continual improvement
• Coordinate activities with marketing, membership, and other departments as needed to ensure delivery on terms of sale
• Identify new revenue opportunities and work with management/staff to continually develop the portfolio of options
• Ensure revenue targets are met

Skills
o Sales and customer service background with demonstrable record of achieving results
o Experience in consultative selling, understanding client needs, and tailoring solutions
o Should be comfortable presenting to and working with executives and higher-level professionals
o Exceptional communication skills
o Extremely organized and attentive to detail
o Solid knowledge of coffee industry trends and needs/motivation of the various segments
o Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field is preferred
o Working from a remote location is optional, but proximity to Long Beach, CA is preferred

Company Description
The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is the world’s coffee authority and largest coffee trade association with nearly 3,000 member companies. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, including producers, roasters, importers/exporters, retailers, manufacturers, baristas and coffee enthusiasts. SCAA is dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community, recognizing, developing and promoting specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for its members. Visit www.scaa.org.

Additional Information
•Local candidates only, no relocation (Greater Los Angeles Area).
•No third party applications.

Los Angeles Art Association and the Guatemalan National Coffee Organization Present Hecho a Mano in conjunction with Los Angeles' 2011 Art Month

2010-08-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

We wanted to share the following press release with you on an upcoming event in Los Angeles featuring Anacafe:

Peter Mays, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Art Association announced that the 85-year old nonprofit organization will collaborate with ANACAFÉ, the 90,000 member national coffee association of Guatemala to present a cross-cultural, multi-media art exhibition titled on Hecho a Mano"(Made by Hand). Mays explained, "The works on display will celebrate hand-made expression. In our world of mass production and commoditization, the notion of artists embracing and respecting natural materials is both timely and essential. The City of Los Angeles has declared January as Art Month in Los Angeles and Hecho a Mano will feature paintings and objects created by Greater L.A. area emerging artists and explore issues of quality workmanship and cultural heritage through a variety of media."

Multi-cultural and multi-generational by design, this exhibition will allow contemporary L.A. based artists to explore themes of tactile experience alongside rich traditional photography by celebrated luminaries. The show will feature the work of LAAA’s highly respected roster of artists of all median and selected work from ANACAFE's 50th Anniversary exhibition titled Inspired by Coffee by photographers from Belgium, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, France, and the US as well as images captured by internationally acclaimed Anglo-American photographer Eadweard Muybridge during his visit to Guatemala in 1875. Ricardo Villanueva Carrera, ANACAFÉ's Chairman commented, "Producing coffee in Guatemala is a work of art taking place, as it does, on nature's most magnificent canvases. An ordinary day at a coffee farm is an extraordinary expression of beauty and texture. We're delighted to share these images of Guatemalan coffee farming communities with Los Angeles area coffee and art enthusiasts. These photographs reflect the care and dedication that for more than 150 years have been part of Guatemala's coffee tradition."

The opening reception will take place on Saturday January 15, 2011 and the exhibition will be on display at LAAA's Gallery 825 until February 11, 2011. Invited guests will include senior LA city officials, representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, art collectors, gallery owners, artists, event sponsors and the media. The exhibition committee is co-chaired by ANACAFE Director, William H. Hempstead and Melissa Pugash, a consultant to the international coffee trade and member of LAAA's Board of Directors.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Los Angeles Art Association's mission is to provide opportunities, resources, services and exhibition venues for Los Angeles artists, with an emphasis on emerging talent. Founded in 1925, LAAA has launched the art careers of many celebrated artists and has played a central role in the formation of Los Angeles' arts community. LAAA serves a broad cross section of artists of all mediums, career levels and socio-economic backgrounds, including those from low-income communities. Mays explained, "By supporting the emerging talent at the onset of their career path, we hope to influence all the cultural stakeholder groups in Los Angeles and contribute to the cultural identity of our community. We are seeking corporate sponsors to help underwrite the cost of mounting this exhibition and provide ongoing support for LAAA members. For more information and a list of benefits, please contact Melissa Pugash at 310-275-3498 or melpugash@aol.com." Founded in 1960, ANACAFÉ is Guatemalan's National Coffee Association. For more information about ANACAFÉ, please visit "guatemalancoffees.org"

LAAA/Gallery 825 825 N. La Cienega Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90069, (310) 652-8272. http://www.laaa.org/

Guatemala is the 2010 SCAA Portrait Country Sponsor.

SCAA Skill-Building Course (Webinar) - Essentials of Customer Service

2010-07-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

CP103 - Essentials of Customer Service is a lecture-based class that is required for BGA Level 1 Barista Certification. If you haven’t been able to make it to a SCAA Skill Building Workshop or our annual Exposition, this is a great opportunity to complete this course and be one step closer to achieving BGA Level 1 Certification. We strongly encourage attendees to come to the webinar prepared with questions as the webinar includes a 30-minute Q&A session immediately following the presentation.

BGA Member: $0
SCAA Member: $10
Non Member: $20

Presented by: Ric Rhinehart

Who should attend this course: Baristas (all experience levels), retailers, & multi-faceted coffee professionals.

Course Description: "Great food, lousy service", the old saw goes. In reality, this is a description of a business doomed to fail. So what is great service, and how do we provide it to our customers? What specific customer service issues are most relevant to baristas and to the coffee industry? This one-hour session is dedicated to identifying, discussing, and equipping attendees with strategies for providing excellent customer service in the coffee industry.

Attendees can expect to complete the course with a improved skills in:

· How to develop a service oriented culture in the workplace
· Customer perspectives and how they should shape business interactions
· How to internalize service and solidify positive behavior patterns that elevate a customer’s experience

Invest in success by enrolling in this certification course today:

REGISTER NOW

To join the Barista Guild of America, click here or to learn more about the BGA, visit baristaguildofamerica.net.

SCAA Quarterly Sector Report | April - June 2010

2010-07-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that the next installment of our coffee retailer sector report for the second quarter of 2010 (April through June) is now available!

This report will be offered in quarterly installments, with an extensive overview published in October 2010 covering the previous four quarters. Our partnership with Cleveland Research Company, an independent research firm specializing in proprietary channel research with a goal to identify trends and inflections that impact the financial performance and outlook across multiple companies and industries, has allowed us to deliver more timely information and a consistent stream of reports to our members and other industry professionals. The analysis brings you the essential data that you need to run a successful retail business in the specialty coffee industry.

$25.00 Member / $45.00 Non-Member

Click here to view this item in the SCAA Store

Included in this report:

Sales Trends
· Second quarter sales trends
· Regional sales breakdown
· Sales vs. Expectations
· Traffic and Ticket Sales
· 12 Month Outlook
· Competitive Landscape
· Category and Segment Trends

Pricing and Cost Trends
· Cost Outlook and Price Increases Credit Availability Trends
· Availability of credit for daily operations

Customer Trends
· What is important to customers? Broken down by category

Big Picture Trends
· Specialty Coffeehouses Compared to Other Foodservice Segments
· Food Cost Inflation · Dairy Inflation
· Trends in Electricity and Natural Gas Prices
· Fuel Prices vs. Foodservice Sales

Questions? Please contact info@scaa.org

A sneak peak at the upcoming SCAA Chronicle!

2010-07-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from "Coffee Slingers & Cheese Mongers"
by Ric Rhinehart

Recently, I was listening to an interview with cheese monger Gordon Edgar in which he explained how critical it is to be able to educate his customers about cheese, while at the same time recognizing how difficult it is to impart the entire story of cheese to them. “When someone is paying twenty dollars a pound for cheese, you have to be able to tell them the story behind that cheese, but you can’t really tell them everything,” Edgar said. He then launched into a compelling story about the plight of small family dairy farmers and their struggles with the economics of milk and cheese.

As I listened, I was struck by the similarities in our products and the challenges of raising the level of the consumer experience while selling them a product with which they simultaneously have tremendous familiarity and very little real knowledge. In both cases, educating a customer is a delicate balancing act of engagement. In both cases, the product is being sold by someone who is not the producer. In both cases, we have to assess how important the product is in the customer’s hierarchy. So how do we prepare our very own cheese mongers—the working baristas—in order to engage our consumer?

Think there's nothing in common between maple leaf-smoked goudas and estate-grown, hand-drip Salvadors? Well, think again. In Issue #3 of the Chronicle, SCAA's Executive Director Ric Rhinehart explores the relationship between cheese-mongers and coffee-slingers, and asks what one can learn from the other in order to reach and teach consumers. The answer is, not surprisingly: a great deal.

SCAA Members get their subscription to The Chronicle FREE! Not a member yet? CLICK HERE to learn more. Just want to subscribe to The Chronicle or purchase additional copies? Visit the SCAA STORE.

An excerpt from "Getting the Story Straight: Communicating What is Special About Specialty Coffee"
by Tracy Ging

You know that famous quote, the one that says imitation is the sincerest of flattery? Well, if that’s the case, specialty coffee should be flattered because we have certainly been imitated.

Most coffee—whether it’s specialty or not—now carries descriptors like gourmet, premium, coffeehouse-style, and others. The words sound good—and in many cases, the coffee is pretty good too. As okay becomes better, it’s forcing better to rise to best.

That creates a new set of challenges for the specialty coffee industry, mainly in convincing people that there really is something special about specialty coffee, something so special that when presented with a myriad of choices, consumers will understand that specialty coffee is the better option, the one worth seeking out, waiting a little longer for, and paying a little extra for.

It's hard to explain to consumer just what, exactly, is so special about your specialty. How do you do it without resorting to the current industry cliches? Tracy Ging explores the options and gives solid advice for taking your "coffee talk" to the next level.