The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) announce the formation of World Coffee Events (WCE), a nonprofit joint venture that will develop and manage competitive events on behalf of both organizations.
“The World Coffee Events organization will build upon the close partnership established between the SCAA and SCAE from our collaboration operating highly successful competitions like the World Barista Championship, World Cup Tasting Championship and others,” commented SCAA Executive Director Ric Rhinehart.
In addition to the World Barista Championship and World Cup Tasting Championship, the WCE organization will operate the annual World Latte Art Championship, Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, World Cevze / Ibrik Championship and new competitions currently under development. In 2011 alone, WCE branded events will be held in more than 50 countries with the support of thousands of dedicated volunteers in front of a vast audience of live and Internet viewers.
“Coffee is one of the few products with the potential of connecting on a personal level with hundreds of millions of producers and consumers in practically every corner of the globe,” observed SCAE Executive Director Mick Wheeler. “The move to create a combined global coffee event organization is the direct result of strong demand for competitive events that are exciting, inspiring and promote excellence in our craft.”
The 11th annual World Barista Championship will be held June 2-5, 2011 in Bogota, Colombia. The next World Latte Art, Coffee in Good Spirits, Cup Tasters’, and Cevze/Ibrik Championships will be held June 22-24, 2011 in Maastricht, The Netherlands.