2nd International Coffee Convention Returns to Mannheim

Liberica in the Philippines Credit: Carmen Lagman
The 2nd International Coffee Convention is set to take place 17-18 October in Mannheim, Germany bringing together leading experts and enthusiasts from the global coffee industry to discuss and shape the future of coffee. Dr Vanusia Nogueira, the executive director of the International Coffee Organisation, will deliver the keynote address.
The International Coffee Convention (ICC) was established in 2023 to address the pressing issues facing the coffee industry. The inaugural ICC identified these challenges and highlighted the opportunities within them, setting the stage for actionable solutions. While there were originally no plans to hold a second ICC so soon after the first, Dr Steffen Schwarz, founder of the ICC, said the overwhelming response and the need for continuity in tackling these challenges led to the organisation of the second ICC in 2024.
The ICC 2024 program, the theme of which is ‘Coffee in Transition’, is designed to tackle pressing issues in the coffee industry. Key sessions include:
1. Future Landscape of Multiple Coffee Species: Addressing species such as Robusta, Racemosa, and Stenophylla within the context of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. Land Use and Coffee Farming Systems: Exploring deforestation policies and innovations in coffee fermentation and processing technologies.
3. Advancements in Coffee Preparation and Business: Covering the journey from roasting to creating the perfect café crème.
4. Sustainable Utilisation of Coffee By-Products: Discussing challenges and opportunities in utilising coffee by-products sustainably.
5. Coffee and Health: Examining the nutritional impacts, benefits, and substantiating health claims of coffee.
The event will also include unique cupping sessions to explore rare coffee species:
• Rare Species Cup tasting
• Liberica Cup tasting
Additionally, there will be a live research project on sensory coffee preference testing, providing attendees with hands-on experience in evaluating coffee maturity and freshness. Among the key scientific presentations, the ICC will showcase a groundbreaking study on the impact of post-roast maturation on the sensory experience of coffee, offering new insights into how aging affects coffee flavour and quality.
The Kaldi Awards, which celebrate significant advancements and research in the coffee industry, will be presented during the convention, recognising outstanding contributions in various categories such as lifetime achievement, green coffee cultivation and processing, roasting, and preparation.
The International Coffee Convention is designed to be an unparalleled gathering for ‘anyone passionate about coffee’ — from farmers and roasters to traders and researchers. By fostering collaboration and sharing cutting-edge research, the convention aims to drive the industry towards a sustainable and innovative future.
For the full programme, visit: coffee-convention.com/Program/.
For more information and to register for the event, please visit: International Coffee Convention.