10,000 Specialty Coffee Professionals to Pour Into Seattle, April 15 - 18, 2005; Specialty Coffee Association of America Presents 17th Annual Conference & Exhibition.

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Thousands of coffee professionals are gearing up to converge on Seattle this spring. The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) will hold its 17th Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle, Wash., April 15 - 18, 2005. The premiere coffee event of the year is expected to attract 10,000 specialty coffee professionals from over 40 countries. Attendees will include coffee producers, exporters & importers, roasters, retailers, manufacturers and baristas. The conference is also open to coffee connoisseurs who hold consumer membership status in the association. Starbucks is the official host sponsor.

Attendees will explore more than 700 exhibit booths featuring everything relating to coffee, from specialty coffee goods and equipment to espresso machines, new products, tastings and retailer supplies. As the world's largest coffee event, the conference curriculum provides over 200 hours of education on topics such as growing and processing, roasting, brewing and serving, quality and standards, sustainability, industry trends, coffee cupping, business best practices and espresso basics, among others. The conference theme is "Back to the Future: The Pursuit of Perfection."

Dr. Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE, the United Nations Messenger of Peace, world-renowned conservationist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, is the keynote speaker. Goodall's overall message focuses on "Reasons for Hope" for the world and environment.

Rick Peyser, SCAA 2005 Conference Committee Chair, said, "The networking opportunities alone at SCAA's conference and exhibition have made it the must-attend event of the year for people serious about specialty coffee."

World Barista Championship 

One highly anticipated feature of this year's event is the 2005 World Barista Championship. Baristas from around the globe will compete and demonstrate the art of being a barista, creating some of the world's finest coffee concoctions.

Online registration at www.scaa.org or call 562-624-4100 for a conference brochure.

About the SCAA

Founded in 1982, SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association, with over 2,800 member companies. SCAA members are located in over 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA's mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA's dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. The SCAA's annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry's largest gathering and exhibition.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Complimentary press registration available.