In 2022, the espresso {industry}’s largest producer-focused occasion – Producer & Roaster Discussion board (PRF) – came about in Medellín, Colombia. The 2-day discussion board attracted hundreds of native and worldwide espresso professionals, and in addition generated an estimated US $10 million in gross sales.
Earlier this yr, PRF El Salvador came about on the Salamanca Exhibition Centre in San Salvador. Alongside an intensive collection of lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and cuppings, the occasion additionally hosted 4 competitions (together with the first-ever World Roasting Contest) and the inaugural World Espresso Awards.
On 14 & 15 September 2023, PRF will return to the Plaza Mayor venue in Medellín, Colombia. The 2-day discussion board will as soon as once more welcome hundreds of {industry} professionals, together with main consultants who will focus on among the most urgent points within the international espresso sector.
If you’re eager about talking at PRF, and also you wish to assist drive inexperienced espresso gross sales in Colombia, then you possibly can apply to be a speaker now!
Learn on to study extra concerning the occasion, the obligations of being a speaker, and how one can apply.
Study extra about PRF Colombia right here.
PRF returns to Colombia
PRF is an industry-leading occasion that pulls a variety of espresso professionals from all over the world – from producers and inexperienced espresso merchants to roasters and baristas.
The aim of PRF is to empower producers and drive inexperienced espresso gross sales within the host nation, in addition to championing Latin America as a worldwide espresso data hub.
As a part of this, the occasion serves as a platform to debate an important points that the espresso {industry} faces in the present day, in addition to encouraging dialogue on offering options. Moreover, producers are on the forefront of those conversations – guaranteeing their voices and opinions are heard loud and clear.
So, why is PRF returning to Colombia?
Julio Guevara is the Director of PRF.
“In 2023, the second iteration of PRF Colombia is ready to be the most important and finest occasion of its sort – an industry-leading espresso occasion that takes place in a producing nation,” he explains. “Right here, you’re capable of concurrently join with {industry} leaders from Latin America and community with international professionals.”
Furthermore, Colombia is the third-biggest coffee-producing nation on the planet, and has an excellent popularity for producing high-quality arabica varieties – similar to:
What is going to occur at PRF Colombia?
As with each earlier PRF occasion, the two-day discussion board in Colombia will embody visitor audio system who will deal with hundreds of worldwide attendees. Audio system and lecturers will have the ability to share their data, experiences, and visions for the way forward for the espresso {industry} – making a platform for individuals to boost consciousness concerning the points which matter to them probably the most.
Along with these talks, the discussion board may even characteristic panel discussions, workshops, and cuppings.
“At this yr’s PRF Colombia, we may have one speaker stage,” Julio says. “That is so we are able to host a extra streamlined occasion and create extra worth for all attendees.
“Moreover, all through in the future of the occasion, we may even be debuting a discussion-style stage format,” he provides. “A speaker or host will introduce a subject, which attendees can focus on in small teams, after which current their collective concepts to the viewers.
“The goal is to encourage extra dynamic dialogue of among the most urgent points which the espresso {industry} faces – in addition to offering potential options,” Julio continues.
Espresso competitions and awards at PRF Colombia
Alongside these thought-provoking speeches and discussions, PRF Colombia will host two high-level espresso competitions: the third Toddy Chilly Brew Championship and the second World Roasting Contest. Each competitions came about at PRF El Salvador, in addition to the 2023 Salvadoran Barista Championship and Brewer’s Cup.
The format of the World Roasting Contest is unprecedented within the espresso {industry}, with all attendees capable of style the competitors coffees on the Brew Bar and vote for his or her favorite.
Lastly, PRF Colombia may even host the second version of the World Espresso Awards – a brand new awards programme recognising and celebrating key innovators and leaders within the worldwide espresso {industry}.
At PRF El Salvador earlier this yr, 4 judges chosen winners throughout six classes:
- PRF El Salvador Product Excellence Award
- PRF El Salvador Product Innovation Award
- PRF El Salvador Iconic Design Award
- PRF El Salvador Greatest Sales space Award
- Greatest Producer – Central America Award
- Greatest Roaster – Central America Award
Who can apply to change into a speaker?
PRF goals to deliver collectively main espresso consultants and professionals from all ranges of the provision chain, with a selected concentrate on producers and roasters. Nonetheless, all actors and stakeholders are welcome to use.
“At this yr’s discussion board, we’re calling for individuals who have attended earlier PRF occasions to use to change into audio system,” Julio explains. “In earlier years, our group has hand chosen audio system, however at PRF Colombia, we invite individuals to remodel their authentic lecture concepts according to our imaginative and prescient for the occasion.
“We’re additionally trying to ship extra worth to native smallholder espresso producers,” he provides. “Ultimately yr’s occasion, we had an distinctive lineup of audio system who had been from Colombia, in addition to all around the world, so we wish to retain this stage of perception.”
{Qualifications} to use
If you’re an English or Spanish-speaking espresso skilled in any capability, you’re eligible to use to change into a speaker at PRF Colombia.
Candidates will need to have at the least 5 years of expertise of their respective fields, in addition to some extent of expertise in public talking. Audio system might be anticipated to current for round 20 minutes.
Extra importantly, audio system want to supply a useful or academic expertise to attendees. This may vary from distinctive perception into upcoming {industry} developments to new methods of serious about specific points within the espresso sector, similar to sustainability and market entry.
Speeches at PRF occasions additionally concentrate on the particular wants of the host nation, with the goal of delivering worth for key {industry} stakeholders within the nation – particularly producers.
In keeping with this, speeches needs to be tailor-made to an viewers of Latin American espresso professionals – together with roasters, inexperienced espresso merchants, baristas, and low rivals. As such, we’re particularly encouraging Colombian espresso professionals to use.
At earlier occasions, matters have included:
- Espresso high quality management
- Rising markets & origins
- Espresso consumption developments
- Ladies & gender fairness in espresso
- The economics of inexperienced espresso buying and selling
- Sustainability, transparency & traceability within the provide chain
- Experimental processing strategies & fermentation
Nonetheless, alongside speeches and lectures, PRF additionally hosts panel discussions, workshops, and cupping classes. Candidates are welcome to use for these roles, too.
At PRF El Salvador, these in attendance included Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Espresso, World Barista Championship coach Federico Bolaños, and Diego Baraona of Los Pirineos Espresso Farm,.
Mayorga Espresso just lately signed a groundbreaking, multi-year Diamond Sponsorship with PRF to champion Latin America as a number one espresso {industry} data centre.
To observe speeches and panel discussions from PRF Colombia 2022, go to the PRF YouTube channel.
How can I apply?
If you happen to’re eager about talking at PRF Colombia, please apply by 31 July 2023. The occasion will happen on 14 & 15 September 2023, so audio system might be finalised lengthy earlier than that.
To use, please fill out the speaker software type in English right here and in Spanish right here. The PRF group will fastidiously assessment and think about your software.
If profitable, you’ll hear from PRF inside every week of submitting your software. You’ll then be required to submit a picture of your self, in addition to a brief bio explaining your position within the {industry} and the perception you intend to offer on the occasion.
All audio system are granted two full-access tickets to PRF Colombia – one for themselves, and one other for a accomplice or colleague. Nonetheless, please notice that audio system are accountable for their very own journey and lodging prices.
PRF is returning to Colombia in September, and the 2023 version of the occasion is ready to be even greater than final yr’s. The 2-day discussion board will happen on 14 & 15 September 2023 on the Plaza Mayor venue in Medellín, Colombia.
To seek out out extra about tickets for the Sourcing Journey Expertise, a separate bundle which additionally consists of entry to the two-day PRF occasion, you possibly can discover extra data right here.
You too can check out lectures and panels from PRF Colombia final yr and study extra about PRF.
Apply to be a PRF El Salvador speaker by filling out this type in English or this type in Spanish.
Picture credit: Producer & Roaster Discussion board
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