Hey there, coffee lovers! Guess what? The Specialty Coffee Association just lit up Portland, Oregon with their phenomenal SCA Expo 2023. The venue? None other than the Oregon Convention Center. This fantastic coffee shindig hops around different locations every year, and we're ecstatic it made its way back to our beloved Pacific Northwest this time.
If you missed it, you missed a lot! Imagine a swarm of passionate people - from Specialty Coffee professionals, savvy business owners, skillful baristas, to die-hard coffee aficionados - all under one roof. It was my first time at the SCA Expo, and let me tell you, it was breathtakingly brilliant! The sheer volume of sights to see, the wealth of connections to make, and the electrifying energy that filled the place was nothing short of magic. As a proud owner of a coffee roasting company, I found my slice of heaven right there.
Now, let's talk about Portland. In my book, it's the absolute best place to host an event of this magnitude. Yes, the initial plan was to bring the Expo to us in 2020, but life had other plans. Uncertainty loomed over when we'd see the Expo return to our turf. But let me tell you this, Oregon's coffee scene is second to none with an abundance of independent coffee shops and roasters. What's more, the coffee community here is like a close-knit family, always ready with a warm welcome. I'm overjoyed to be part of a State that embraces this industry so wholeheartedly.
In a nutshell, the Expo was a paradise for coffee enthusiasts. From roasting manufacturers showcasing their latest gadgets, green coffee importers sharing their prized beans, coffee farmers discussing their sustainable practices, and so much more, it was a coffee lover's dream come true. I had an amazing time, and I'm buzzing with anticipation for the next SCA event in the Pacific Northwest. See you there, fellow coffee enthusiasts!
