The Specialty Coffee Expo 2025 (April 25–27 in Houston) is the highlight of our coffee calendar. A place to spark new ideas, gather intel, and build real relationships across the supply chain. From roasters and producers to exporters, importers, and baristas, thousands come together to connect, learn, and celebrate the craft. Oh, and the World Coffee Championships are happening too—so you know it’s the place to be.

Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, here’s how to get the most out of it. Let’s dive in!

‍

‍1. Go with a game plan

‍

Before hitting the show floor, get clear on your goals. Are you hoping to:

‍

‍

Write down your goals. Then browse the Expo full schedule and exhibitor list. Highlight the booths, sessions, and cuppings that align with your focus.

‍

🔎 Pro tip: Use the Expo’s mobile app to bookmark sessions and avoid zig-zagging through the halls.

‍

2. Tackle the show floor with purpose

‍

The Expo features 600+ exhibitors. That’s a lot. You won’t see them all. Prioritise the people who align with your goals.

‍

‍

🎯 Don't miss: Roaster Village. That’s where new connections happen.

‍

🤝 Start the convo: Not sure what a booth offers? Just ask. Whether it's tech, tools, packaging, or coffee, every conversation is a chance to learn something useful or spark a future connection.

‍

3. Get to cuppings and tastings early

‍

Cuppings are the heart of the Expo. They fill up fast. If you want to taste something or talk to someone, be there or sign up early.

‍

• Bring your own spoon! Forgot? Swing by the Algrano booth—extras are limited, so don’t wait.

‍

🎟 Don’t miss: our booth cupping takeovers! With special guests hosting cuppings of fresh harvest lots.

‍

✨ Pro tip: Treat each cupping as a conversation starter. Ask others at the table what stood out to them. You’ll learn as much from each other as from the cups.

‍

4. Hit up the right lectures and workshops

‍

Kick things off with Using new data sources to reshape credit access for coffee producers (April 27th, 1–2 PM, Room 351DEF), where Algrano’s CFO Florian Schaffner and Fernando Patiño from Majestic Coffees break down how marketplace data is unlocking financing at origin. Then dive into the Expo’s packed schedule of lectures and workshops on:

‍

🔍 Sourcing, Sustainability & Origin Impact

• How to Weather the Storm: Migration, Climate & Coffee
  
  Hear from the Guatemalan cooperative ACODIHUE about real-time challenges at origin and how roasters can build more resilient relationships.
  
  
• From the Ground Up: Community-Led Development
  
  With Nora Burkey of The Chain Collaborative, this session shares lessons from community-led origin development—ideal for roasters invested in long-term partnerships.
  
  
• South to North: Producer-Led Vertical Integration
  
  Explore how producers are taking ownership across the supply chain and what that means for traceability and collaboration.
  
  

💼 Business & Operations

• Carbon Footprint in Brazilian Coffee
  
  With Sancoffee, learn how origin-based actors are measuring and reducing emissions, a critical topic for sustainability-focused brands.
  
  
• 5 Essentials a Growing Coffee Roaster Needs
  
  A practical session covering structure, systems, and strategy for scaling your roastery.
  
  
• Inventory Management Fundamentals for Green Buyers
  
  Reduce waste, improve cash flow, and build a more agile sourcing operation.
  
  
• Preference Mapping: The Science of Quality
  
  Use sensory data to match products to customer expectations. Great for quality control leads and brand managers.
  
  

🌍 Market & Finance

• The Great Coffee Price Breakaway
  
  Stay updated on the market with experts from StoneX as they explore futures, differentials, and risk management in coffee pricing.
  
  
• Promoting Wealth for Women: The Macro Impact of Microfinance
  
  With Amaris Gutierrez-Ray of Joe Coffee, this session provides insight into how microfinance models are creating systemic change—relevant for those sourcing from women-led organizations.
  
  

5. Don’t just network: build relationships

‍

Everyone’s at the Expo to talk. Anyone can hand out a business card. What you want is a relationship.

• Attend informal events: dinners, happy hours, after-hours meetups → join us for our Algrano, Mountain Harvest &  Sancoffee party at Las Perras Café on Saturday the 26th, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM!
• Ask thoughtful questions and listen more than you pitch.
• Follow up within a week—personally. Not with a generic sales email.

‍

6. Discover direct sourcing opportunities with Algrano

‍

Want to source more transparently? See how producers and roasters are building real partnerships? Come find us.
Visit Algrano’s full Expo schedule → Producer takeover cuppings, workshops, lecture and meetups.

‍

Final thoughts

‍

To get the most out of the SCA Expo 2025:

• Plan your schedule ahead of time
• Choose lectures that align with your goals, not just the big names
• Cup coffees and connect with intention
• Follow up with purpose

‍

The Expo isn’t just a trade show. It’s a launchpad for your business future.

Make it count.

‍