Event Announcement: IWCA Chapter Encounter in Florence, Italy - January 28 & 29, 2025
We’re excited to announce the upcoming IWCA Chapter Encounter in Florence, Italy, hosted by La Accademia Marzocco (De’Longhi Group) and IWCA Italy. This unique gathering brings together leaders, members, and partners from IWCA Chapters in coffee-consuming countries to connect, collaborate, and support the advancement of women throughout the global coffee value chain.
Announcing the IWCA Chapter Encounter 2025
The International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) is excited to host the first-ever IWCA Chapter Encounter from Coffee Consuming Countries, a unique event that brings together IWCA Chapters and members from across the globe to connect, collaborate, and strategize for the future of women in the coffee industry.
Event Details
📍 Location: Accademia del Caffè Espresso - Via Bolognese 68, Pian di San Bartolo, 50014 Fiesole, Italy
📅 Dates: January 28–29, 2025
💡 Hosted by: IWCA Italy in partnership with La Marzocco Accademia (DeLonghi Group)
This inaugural gathering will unite IWCA Chapters from Japan, South Korea, the USA, Australia, Italy, Spain, and Greece, as well as chapters in formation from Germany, Canada, and Portugal. Additionally, IWCA Global board and staff members will participate, representing the 34 IWCA Chapters worldwide.
About the IWCA Encounter
IWCA Chapters in coffee-consuming countries have grown in both number and influence, as has the need to support women involved in processing, trading, marketing, and other areas beyond coffee growing. This event serves as a platform for collaboration among women in these sectors, creating a space for shared learning, innovation, and networking across the entire coffee value chain.
By fostering connections between buyers, sellers, and supporters, the Encounter aims to enhance the visibility of women’s contributions to the coffee industry and establish new opportunities for leadership, education, and empowerment.
Key Objectives:
Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate the exchange of experiences, challenges, and strategies among IWCA Chapters.
Strategic Development: Identify opportunities for workshops, webinars, and initiatives to support women’s careers and businesses in coffee.
Building Connections: Strengthen relationships across the coffee value chain and grow the IWCA network of buyers, sellers, and partners.
Creating the IWCA Experts Network: Establish a global platform of women leaders and experts to drive innovation and collaboration within the coffee industry.
Working Program Highlights
The two-day program will include:
Chapter Spotlights: Presentations from IWCA Chapters and chapters in formation, sharing insights into their work, goals, and plans for the future.
Expert Insights: La Marzocco and DeLonghi Group experts will lead sessions on education, sustainability, and collaboration across the coffee industry, with a special focus on empowering women and youth.
Working Groups: Interactive sessions to discuss key challenges and find actionable solutions for advancing women’s impact in coffee.
Coffee Tour of Florence: Hosted by IWCA Italy, attendees will explore the city's renowned coffee roasters and cafes, offering a glimpse into European coffee culture.
Why This Event Matters
This Encounter represents a milestone for IWCA’s work in coffee-consuming countries, showcasing how women’s collaboration across the entire coffee value chain can drive meaningful change. With the support of sponsors including DeLonghi Group, Bunn, and Caffè Vergnano, the Encounter will foster new opportunities for women in coffee and set the stage for innovative initiatives in 2025 and beyond.