The annual European specialty-coffee trade show promises to be a spectacular event filled with innovation, connection, and growth.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of Specialty Coffee Association
The 2023 World of Coffee (WoC) is taking place in Athens, Greece, this week, June 22-24, at Metropolitan Expo, and it is set to be a spectacular event. This year’s World of Coffee brings together the world’s best baristas, coffee professionals, and experts for three days of exploration, connection, and growth—all within the vibrant backdrop of one of the world’s oldest cities.
Since its inception, WoC has been a hub of innovation and conversation for industry leaders who are passionate about specialty coffee and pushing it to new heights. This year promises to be no different with a variety of seminars, presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, and more.
Let’s take a look at what to expect from WoC Athens 2023!
Awards and World Coffee Championships 2023
World of Coffee Athens will feature two awards programs: Best New Product and the Coffee Design Awards. The former honors new products that add value to specialty coffee, while the latter recognizes innovation in product and packaging design.
The 2023 World Coffee Championships will also be held in Athens. Organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), these competitions gather industry professionals from all over the world to compete and showcase their skills in the Barista, Brewers Cup, Cezve/Ibrik, and Cup Tasters Championships.
The highlight of this year’s event is undoubtedly the World Barista Championship (WBC). The competition features some of the world’s best baristas competing against each other in a number of rounds that test their technical skills and creativity. Many competitors have already arrived in Athens and are training for what is sure to be an exciting spectacle. (Check out our profiles of the 2023 WBC competitors here.)
Opportunities for Learning and Networking
The event will also offer many opportunities for attendees to learn more and deepen their knowledge with a diverse range of topics. This year’s lineup includes 27 lectures and various workshops.
Here are a few of the topics you can look forward to:
- Education on digitalization: a key to overcoming challenges at origin
- Farm labor due diligence approaches that benefit workers, farmers, and coffee companies
- Green coffee defects: Perceiving the impact on cup quality
- Physical and sensory evaluation of experimentally processed coffees
There will also be Cupping Rooms that exhibitors can book slots for, either open to the public or reserved for invited guests. At World of Coffee, you’ll also find a wide range of exhibitors, including producers and cooperatives, roasters, importers and exporters, coffee shops, equipment manufacturers, and more. Notable brands from the global coffee sphere will also be present with their own booths.
After Parties and Other Events
What’s a coffee event without having some fun? All attendees will be happy to hear that many companies have organized a variety of events and activities for everyone. Here are some of our favorites:
June 21
The Greek Comandante Championship 2023 by Taf, Comandante, and Nucleus
June 22
The 360° Party by Taf at Selina Theatrou Athens & Cowork
June 23
International Women’s Coffee Alliance fundraising reception at WoC
The Barista League’s Big Opa on 23 June at 7 p.m. local time, hosted at The Underdog
Cropster and Algrano party at the Blue Parrot Athens
La Marzocco and Beyond the Bean’s rooftop party at 360° Cocktail Bar
June 24
World of Coffee Closing Party by Cafeistas at Cafeistas Roastery
June 25
The World Espresso Championship by Dalla Corte at 360° Cocktail Bar
With so much to look forward to, we are sure the 2023 World of Coffee Athens will be an unforgettable event. Barista Magazine will be there to report the news as it happens, so stay tuned for updates!
See you in Athens!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.
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