ACE invites the coffee community to join up

The Alliance of Coffee Excellence (ACE) has announced that membership and jury registration is now open for 2015. The United States based non-profit organisation is offering memberships for companies in the coffee industry and for individual coffee enthusiasts. “We invite you to join the growing number of specialty coffee professionals who are dedicated to discovering exceptional coffees and rewarding producers,” said ACE. “Our members have revolutionised the world of exemplary coffee.” ACE works in partnership with origin country coffee organisations to select and facilitate Internet coffee auctions. Companies wanting to be a part of ACE can choose a Community Level Membership, which allows them to choose Cup of Excellence (COE) coffee samples from one participating country and to take part in one COE auction. Companies can also choose a Benefactor Level Membership, which in addition to Community Level benefits, includes one set of award-winning COE samples, access to each COE auction throughout 2015, as well as personalised ACE merchandise. Both memberships will include a COE jury application discount, invites to COE cuppings and ACE special events, a discounted price for ACE Cupping Training and Training at Origin, plus discounts on a range of products and services. Company members will also have access to the ACE member directory, providing opportunities to network with roasters, retailers, importers, media, producers, COE winners, and other coffee professionals.
ACE is encouraging coffee enthusiasts to sign up for an individual membership, which will give them access to one eight ounce COE award-winning coffee sample, ACE newsletters and updates, a welcome package and discounts on coffee publications. Solberg & Hansen, a Norwegian Coffee Company, is already signed up, as it was the first company to be granted an ACE Lifetime Member. The company has been a supporter of Cup of Excellence since its inception in 1999 and has purchased a winning coffee in every single auction. For more information and to sign up visit: www.allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org