SCAA 2015 Thoughts and Observations
SCAA’s Specialty Coffee Event, held at the Washington State Convention Center, wound up on April 12th and the folks here in the office had some observations to share about their experiences in Seattle.
Dan Cox: The SCAA continues to be my “must go” coffee show of the year. There is always something to discover, some new products (in my opinion, Joe Tap, a nitro-generated coffee beverage was the top hit) and I get to catch up with many old friends from years past. The new “Star R” branded Reserve Roastery by Starbucks, packed with coffee lovers, was off the charts impressive in design and function. Starbucks has also created a concept store, Roy Street, that has no overt sign of being a Starbucks with a really comfortable, different atmosphere offering outstanding coffees, food and exceptional service. It also has rental space for private musical events and lectures, unusual for Starbucks.Certainly one of the highlights was being present when Spencer received his Outstanding Contribution to the Association Award. Always a pleasure to witness special and well-deserved recognition. Seattle continues to be coffee central and a joy to visit.
Spencer Turer: The SCAA conference was very exciting this year with the inclusion of the World Barista Championship during the event. There were many interesting lectures that I attended on coffee production and global supply topics. Vince Caloiero and I were station instructors for the Coffee Taster Certificate Level 1 practical exam. The Expo was filled with many new products for specialty coffee retailers, and I was most interested in the new technology presented for coffee brewing and computer programs to assist with sensory analysis data collection. I enjoyed talking with our clients and other specialty coffee professionals, as well as re-connecting with friends.
Vincent Caloiero: The SCAA Show was bigger and better than ever. Marcus Boni kicked off “The Event” with theatrical splendor only topped by Neil Patrick Harris’s performance at the Oscars! My 2015 show experience kept me indoors attending lectures and instructing courses for the SCAA’s skill building workshops. The behind the scenes view of the classes offered at the SCAA gave a glimpse into how much works happens to make the show go on. My involvement this year elevated my commitment to the Association and put me in position to join a committee that will help shape the educational outreach of the SCAA. I attended The Art and Science of Roasting lecture by Karl Schmidt – the president of Probat – that helped decipher different roast methods and profiles. I also attended the lecture that provided preliminary results of the Colombian Sensory Trial that investigated two common coffee varieties customarily found in Colombia: Caturra and Castillo. The impetus of this experiment addressed sensory differences of the higher yielding and more disease resistant Castillo variety compared to the Caturra, a variety that is well-regarded for taste and smell. A quick trip over to the competition Arena to support US Barista Champion Charles Babinski in the World Barista Competition finished my 2015 SCAA show.
SCAA Awards
The Specialty Coffee Association of America Recognition Awards and Sustainability Award honors those who contribute their expertise to the coffee industry. Each year, the SCAA recognizes outstanding achievements in the specialty coffee industry and personal unique contributions to the Association.
Coffee Analysts is pleased to recognize our Vice President, Spencer Turer, for the Outstanding Contribution to the Association Award. Spencer has dedicated his career to promoting coffee quality and is well-known throughout the coffee industry as a passionate and enthusiastic specialty coffee professional. Spencer is a pioneer for roaster certification and an advocate for coffee industry education at all levels. Since 2000, Spencer has lectured and taught SCAA classes more than 25 times in the United States and Internationally. He has accumulated more than 1000 volunteer hours.
Other awards went to:
Lifetime Achievement – William McAlpin (Hacienda La Minita & Distant Lands Coffee)
Outstanding Contribution – Spencer Turer (Coffee Analysts)
Alfred Peet Passionate Cup – Carlo Di Ruocco (Mr. Espresso)
Service to the Association – Allen Leibowitz (Independent) & Kevin Kuyers (Theta Ridge Coffee)
Distinguished Author – Oliver Strand (New York Times, Bon Appetit & Vogue)
Special Recognition – Joe Marrocco (Café Imports)
Distinguished Newcomer – David Belanich (Joyride Coffee Distributors)
Sustainability Award – Bukonzo Joint Cooperative Union for their project Gender Action Learning System (GALS): enhancing the participation of women coffee farmers in western Uganda.
