The Specialty Coffee Expo kicks off this week—here are some of the special happenings, parties and events you won’t want to miss
COMPILED BY SARAH ALLEN
BARISTA MAGAZINE
Featured image by Silverfork Houston
It’s been called lots of things—Expo, The Event, and the SCAA show way back when—but the can’t-miss coffee show of the year always delivers on bringing your far-flung friends together for show-floor networking and plenty of after-hours parties. Here’s everything we know that’s planned for this week’s show in Houston.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
WHAT: Barista Magazine’s 20th Anniversary Party, presented by Pacific Foods Barista Series with Lem Butler—aka DJ Sexyfoam—spinning on the dance floor.
WHEN: 6:30–10 p.m.
WHERE: MEOW WOLF HOUSTON, 2103 Lyons Ave., Houston
No RSVP needed
WHAT: Celebrate the Legends of Cup of Excellence, with award-winning producers, gift bags, an auction, food, drinks, and entertainment
WHEN: 3–5 p.m.
WHERE: Cougar Grounds at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston
RSVP—click here
What: The World’s First Crowd-Sourced Tiramisu Party, hosted by Mazzer. Drinks, snacks, and guest speakers Luigi Mazzer, Laila Ghambari, and Ryan Willbur.
When: 5:30–7 p.m.
Where: 1515 Texas Ave., Houston
RSVP—click here
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
WHAT: World of Coffee Runners 5K, all paces and walkers welcome. Benefiting Girls Gotta Run: donate $50 or more to Girls Gotta Run and receive a limited-edition World of Coffee Runners x Fractal technical hat, courtesy of Falcon Coffees
WHERE: Run begins at Three Keys Coffee at Finn Hall, 712 Main St., Houston
WHEN: Meet at 6:30 a.m.; run begins at 7 a.m.
RSVP—click here
WHAT: SCA Brekky Cookout, presented by Proud Mary Coffee + The Tipping Point—chef David Tipping with guest chef Sean Henley of Proud Mary
WHERE: 93’ Til, 1601 Main St., Houston
WHEN: 8 a.m. until sold out
Breakfast for purchase until sold out
WHAT: Grounds for Health lecture, happy hour, pourovers, + raffle! Activities include Executive Director Kyle Engelman sitting on the panel, “Coffee’s Role in Building Better Futures for Farmers,“ along with Food 4 Farmers and Equal Origins, on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in room 352DEF; happy hour with support from Monin at Grounds for Health’s booth #1816 on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.; former United States Barista Champion Bronwen Serna making pourovers from Klatch Coffee at 11 a.m., followed by Jeff Foster from Bush Hill Coffee at noon on Saturday; and a raffle all weekend long!
WHERE: Panel: Room 352DEF; happy hour and pourovers at Grounds for Health’s booth #1816
WHEN: Throughout Expo weekend
No RSVP needed
WHAT: MiiR’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, with custom cups and activities, happy hours on Friday and Saturday
WHERE: MiiR booth #2101 @ Expo
WHEN: Throughout Expo weekend
No RSVP needed
WHAT: SCA Cupping Exchange, hosted by Sarco Premium Coffee with Seifes Coffee
WHERE: Room 381C @ Expo
WHEN: 4–6 p.m.
No RSVP needed
WHAT: Women In Coffee, hosted by Novel Coffee Roasters—networking with women coffee professionals, drinks, and snacks
WHERE: Montrose Cheese & Wine, 1618 Westheimer Road, Houston
WHEN: 5–8 p.m.
RSVP—click here
WHAT: Come Say Howdy, hosted by Covoya Specialty Coffee and Roast Magazine, with complimentary beer, wine, food, and karaoke
WHERE: Rodeo Goat Houston, 2105 Dallas St., Houston
WHEN: 6 p.m.
No RSVP needed
WHAT: Bullseyes and Brews, presented by Urnex, Pasquini, ESI, Intermix, and F&O Imports, with drinks, food, and darts
WHERE: Flight Club, 3515 W. Dallas St., Suite 100
WHEN: 8–10 p.m.
No RSVP needed
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
WHAT: International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Breakfast, with keynote speaker Pacita “Chi” Juan, president of the Philippine Coffee Board Inc.
WHERE: George R. Brown Convention Center, Grand Ballroom C
WHEN: 8–9:30 a.m.
Tickets: $150—click here
WHAT: Source: A Green Buying Panel, hosted by Cafe Imports. Live podcast moderated by Chris Baca of Cat & Cloud Coffee. Coffee and breakfast tacos.
WHERE: True Anomaly Brewing, 2012 Dallas St., Houston
WHEN: 8:30–10:30 a.m.
No RSVP needed
WHAT: Corvus Coffee Roasters serving Eugenioides from Inmaculada
WHERE: Roasters Village RV2 @ Expo
WHEN: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Samples available while they last
WHAT: Drink & Draft, hosted by Algrano, Mountain Harvest, and Sancoffee. Sustainability Awards finalists Algrano and Mountain Harvest, along with 2024 winner Sancoffee, share empanadas and drinks.
WHERE: Las Perras Café, 3401 Harrisburg Blvd., Suite J, Houston
WHEN: 5:30–9 p.m.
No RSVP needed
WHAT: Taps & Tacos for Farmers, hosted by Food 4 Farmers. Raffle and Fund-a-Need Silent Auction at the event.
WHERE: True Anomaly Brewing Co., 2012 Dallas St., Houston
WHEN: 6–9 p.m.
$10 suggested donation; RSVP—click here
WHAT: Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity’s First Sip Fundraiser; build community over coffee, cocktails, and conversation
WHERE: Chapman and Kirby, 2118 Lamar St., #100, Houston
WHEN: 7–10 p.m.
Ticketed event; free tickets here
WHAT: H-Town Sprodown, hosted by La Marzocco—mechanical bull, karaoke, line dancing, and pool tables
WHERE: Neon Boots Dance Hall & Saloon, 11410 Hempstead Road, Houston
WHEN: 8 p.m. to midnight
No RSVP needed
