ExpoEspeciales kicks off in Colombia

The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) and Corferias will present ExpoEspeciales in Bogota, Colombia this week. From 15 – 18 October, the country’s best coffee and baristas will be on show, alongside some of the industries most highly esteemed speakers. This year the FNC is partnering with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) to present the IWCA Convention from 15 – 16 October. Coffee and Trade Beyond Barriers will take place within the framework of ExpoEspeciales and will explore the subjects that impact the men and women of the coffee industry. President of the IWCA Desiree Logsdon will give the opening address alongside Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization Robério Oliveira Silva. The event’s keynote speaker is the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) Arancha Gonzales Laya. The ITC works with developing economies to promote their exports and is a subsidiary of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Gonzales’ many achievements include serving as a representative of the WTO at the G-20. The Executive Director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Ric Rhinehart will provide his market outlooks for producing regions around the world.
The Women’s Coffee Growers Program Coordinator at the FNC Ana Maria Lleras will host an educational session titled Gender. The IWCA is also partnering with World Coffee Events (WCE) during ExpoEspeciales, to produce the first ever WCE All Stars specifically for the ladies. IWCA Chapters are invited to nominate one female barista to participate in the event. The representative will be paired with WCE Champions Charlotte Malval and Chiara Bergonzi in a series of on-stage demonstrations during the Colombian Barista Competition. The FNC is inviting Colombian coffee makers to show the world their skills in the National Barista Championship and the National Cup Tasters Championship, also taking place at the event.